Referees - WKF Kumite Rules

ARTICLE 9: PENALTIES

WARNING: (CHUKOKU) May be imposed for attendant minor infractions or the first instance of a minor infraction.

KEIKOKU: This is a penalty in which IPPON (one point), is added to the opponent's score. KEIKOKU is imposed for minor infractions for which a warning has previously been given in that bout, or for infractions not sufficiently serious to merit HANSOKU-CHUI.

HANSOKU-CHUI: This is a penalty in which NIHON (two points), is added to the opponent's score. HANSOKU-CHUI is usually imposed for infractions for which a KEIKOKU has previously been given in that bout although it may be imposed directly for serious infringements, which do not merit HANSOKU.

HANSOKU: This is imposed following a very serious infraction or when a HANSOKU CHUI has already been given. It results in the disqualification of the contestant. In team matches the fouled competitor’s score will be set at eight points and the offender’s score will be zeroed.

SHIKKAKU: This is a disqualification from the actual tournament, competition, or match In order to define the limit of SHIKKAKU, the Referee Commission, must be consulted. SHIKKAKU may be invoked when a contestant fails to obey the orders of the referee, acts maliciously, or commits an act which harms the prestige and honour of Karate-do, or when other actions are considered to violate the rules and spirit of the tournament. In team matches the fouled competitor’s score will be set at eight points and the offender’s score will be zeroed.

EXPLANATION:
I. Category 1 and Category 2 penalties do not cross-accumulate.

II. A penalty can be directly imposed for a rules infraction but once given, repeats of that category of infraction must be accompanied by an increase in severity of penalty imposed. It is not, for example, possible to give a warning or penalty for excessive contact then give another warning for a second instance of excessive contact.

III. Warnings (CHUKOKU) are given where there has clearly been a minor infraction of the rules, but the contestant's potential for winning is not diminished (in the opinion of the Referee Panel) by the opponent's foul.

IV. A KEIKOKU may be imposed directly, without first giving a warning. KEIKOKU is normally imposed where the contestant's potential for winning is slightly diminished (in the opinion of the Referee Panel) by the opponent's foul.

V. A HANSOKU CHUI may be imposed directly, or following a warning, or KEIKOKU and is used where the contestant's potential for winning has been seriously reduced (in the opinion of the Referee Panel) by the opponent's foul.

VI. A HANSOKU is imposed for cumulative penalties but can also be imposed directly for serious rules infractions. It is used when the contestant's potential for winning has been reduced virtually to zero (in the opinion of the Referee Panel) by the opponent's foul.

VII. Any competitor who receives HANSOKU for causing injury, and who has in the opinion of the Referee Panel and Match Area Controller, acted recklessly or dangerously or who is considered not to have the requisite control skills necessary for WKF competition, will be reported to the Referee Commission. The Referee Commission will decide if that competitor shall be suspended from the rest of that competition and/or subsequent competitions.

VIII. A SHIKKAKU can be directly imposed, without warnings of any kind. The contestant need have done nothing to merit it — it is sufficient if the Coach or non-combatant members of the contestants' delegation behave in such a way as to harm the prestige and honour of Karate-Do. If the Referee believes that a contestant has acted maliciously, regardless of whether or not actual physical injury has been caused, Shikkaku and not Hansoku, is the correct penalty.

IX. A public announcement of Shikkaku must be made.

This is provided for your information. Please check the WKF website for any amendments or changes to this information or for the latest news. www.wkf.net

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