Sen- shu- ken Tai- kai

USA-IFKKSaturday October 9, 2010

20th Annual American International
Karate Championships

Semi Contact Rules

The name "Semi-Full Contact" is really a misnomer for this event, since the competition is actually full contact fighting with pads.  Except for the use of pads, the rules of Semi-Contact fighting are essentially the same as those of Knockdown fighting, with some minor differences. 

Protective Equipment

All competitors will be required to wear the following equipment:

  • Hand Gear
    • Padded Vinyl (cloth not permitted)
    • Minimum 1" thick padding
  • Shin and Instep Pads (cloth or soft vinyl)
  • Head Gear
  • Mouth Guard
  • Groin cup (all male competitors)
  • Chest Protectors for ALL competitors 14 years and younger (provided by tournament officials)

Match Time Limit

Each match shall be two (2) minutes, with a maximum of one 2-minute overtime round in the event of tie/draw.

Weight Divisions

Weight divisions may be determined upon the discretion of the tournament director after all competitors have been registered.

Legal Techniques

  • All karate techniques directed to the body, which include the chest, ribs and abdomen area.
  • Kicks to the leg are permitted.
  • Kicks to the head are permitted only in the following divisions:
    • 15 to 17 year old Advanced division
    • 18 years and older Advanced and Masters divisions

Scoring

  • One (1) full point wins the match!
  • Any legal hand, elbow or kicking technique that makes contact to the opponent and stuns the opponent momentarily, or causes the opponent's hand or any part of their body to touch the floor, will be scored a half point.
  • If an opponent is unable to continue within the standard five second count administered by the head referee and corners judges, the contest will be declared a knockout with the winner receiving 1 point and the match.
  • If no points are scored during the match, the judges may award the match to a competitor based on demonstration of "spirit" or technical excellence during the fight.  A competitor who has scored at least a half point at the end of the match may be declared the winner.
  • If neither competitor is declared the winner by decisive points or by the referee's decision, there will be an additional 2 minute overtime round held.  During the overtime round, if no points are scored, the head referee and corner judges must declare a winner.

All decisions by the referee and corner judges are final.

Illegal Techniques

  • Attacks to the groin.
  • Attacks to the head or face areas with hands, elbows, or arms.
  • Kicks to the head are not permitted in the following divisions:
    • All divisions 14 years old and younger
    • 15 to 17 year old Novice, Beginner and Intermediate divisions
    • 18 years and older Novice, Beginner and Intermediate divisions
  • Grabbing or holding.
  • Kicks below the knee area.
  • Leg sweeps.
  • Excessive out-of-bounds (running out of the ring).
  • Striking an opponent when he or she is down.
  • Any "unsportsmanlike" conduct.

Interpretation of the rules is at the sole discretion of the tournament officials.  All decisions are final.