Referees - WKF Kumite Rules
ARTICLE 6: SCORING
1. Scores are as follows:
a) SANBON Three points
b) NIHON Two points
c) IPPON One point
2. A score is awarded when a technique is performed according to the following criteria to a scoring area:
a) Good form
b) Sporting attitude
c) Vigorous application
d) Awareness (ZANSHIN)
e) Good timing
f) Correct distance
3. SANBON is awarded for:
a) Jodan kicks.
b) Throwing or leg sweeping the opponent to the mat followed by a scoring technique.
4. NIHON is awarded for:
a) Chudan kicks.
b) Punches on the back, including back of the head and neck.
c) Combination hand techniques, the individual components of which each score in their own right.
d) Unbalancing the opponent and scoring.
5. IPPON is awarded for:
a) Chudan or Jodan Tsuki.
b) Uchi.
6. Attacks are limited to the following areas:
a) Head
b) Face
c) Neck
d) Abdomen
e) Chest
f) Back
g) Side
7. An effective technique delivered at the same time that the end of the bout is signaled, is considered valid. A technique even if effective, delivered after an order to suspend or stop the bout shall not be scored and may result in a penalty being imposed on the offender.
8. No technique, even if technically correct, will be scored if it is delivered when the two contestants are outside the competition area. However, if one of the contestants delivers an effective technique while still inside the competition area and before the Referee calls “YAME”the technique will be scored.
9. Simultaneous, effective scoring techniques delivered by both contestants, the one on the other (AIUCHI) shall not score.
EXPLANATION:
In order to score, a technique must be applied to a scoring area as defined in paragraph 6 above. The technique must be appropriately controlled with regard to the area being attacked and must satisfy all six scoring criteria in paragraph 2 above.
Vocabulary Technical Criteria
Sanbon (3 Points) is awarded for:
1. Jodan kicks. Jodan being defined as the face, head and neck.
2. Any scoring technique which is delivered after legally throwing, leg sweeping, or taking the opponent down to the mat.
Nihon (2 Points) is awarded for:
1. Chudan kicks. Chudan being defined as the abdomen, chest, back and side.
2. Punches(Tsuki) delivered to the opponent’s back, including the back of the head and neck.
3. Combinations of punching and striking (tsuki and uchi) the individual components of which each score in their own right, delivered to any of the seven scoring areas.
4. Any scoring technique (other than Jodan Kicks) delivered after permissible physical action of the contestant has caused the opponent to lose balance as the score is made.
Ippon (1 Point) is awarded for:
1. Any punch (tsuki) delivered to any of the seven scoring areas excluding the back, the back of the head and neck.
2. Any strike (uchi) delivered to any of the seven scoring areas.
I. For reasons of safety, throws where the opponent is thrown without being held onto, or thrown dangerously, or where the pivot point is above hip level, are prohibited and will incur a warning or penalty. Exceptions are conventional karate leg sweeping techniques, which do not require the opponent to be held while executing the sweep such as de ashi-barai, ko uchi gari, kani waza etc. After a throw has been executed the referee will allow the contestant two to three seconds in which to attempt a scoring technique.
II. When a contestant slips, falls, or loses balance as a result of their own action and is scored upon by the opponent the score will be given as if the contestant had been standing upright.
III. A technique with “Good Form” is said to have characteristics conferring probable effectiveness within the framework of traditional Karate concepts.
IV. Sporting Attitude is a component of good form and refers to a non-malicious attitude of great concentration obvious during delivery of the scoring technique.
V. Vigorous Application defines the power and speed of the technique and the palpable will for it to succeed.
VI. Awareness (ZANSHIN) is that criterion most often missed when a score is assessed. It is the state of continued commitment in which the contestant maintains total concentration, observation, and awareness of the opponent's potentiality to counter-attack. He does not turn his face away during delivery of the technique, and remains facing the opponent afterwards.
VII. Good Timing means delivering a technique when it will have the greatest potential effect.
VIII. Correct Distance similarly means delivering a technique at the precise distance where it will have the greatest potential effect. Thus if the technique is delivered on an opponent who is rapidly moving away, the potential effect of that blow is reduced.
IX. Distancing also relates to the point at which the completed technique comes to rest on or near the target. A punch or kick that comes somewhere between skin touch and 2—5 centimetres from the face, may be said to have the correct distance. However, Jodan punches, which come within a reasonable distance of the target and which the opponent makes no attempt to block or avoid will be scored, provided the technique meets the other criteria.
X. A worthless technique is a worthless technique — regardless of where and how it is delivered. A technique, which is badly deficient in good form, or lacking power, will score nothing.
XI. Techniques, which land below the belt may score, as long as they are above the pubic bone. The neck is a target area and so is the throat. However, no contact to the throat is permitted, although a score may be awarded for a properly controlled technique, which does not touch.
XII. A technique, which lands upon the shoulder blades, may score. The non-scoring part of the shoulder is the junction of the upper bone of the arm with the shoulder blades and collarbones.
XIII. The time-up bell signals the end of scoring possibilities in that bout, even though the Referee may inadvertently not halt the bout immediately. The time-up bell does not however mean that penalties cannot be imposed. Penalties can be imposed by the Refereeing Panel up to the point where the contestants leave that area after the bout's conclusion. Penalties can be imposed after that, but then only by the Referee Commission.
XIV. True Aiuchis are rare. Not only must two techniques land simultaneously, but both must be valid scoring techniques, each with good form etc. Two techniques may well land simultaneously, but seldom are both, if indeed either, effective scores. The Referee must not dismiss as Aiuchi, a situation where only one of the simultaneous pair is actually a score. This is not Aiuchi.
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