Sen- shu- ken Tai- kai

Saturday October 11, 2008

18th Annual American International
Karate Championships

Semi-Contact Rules

The name "Semi-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 with minimum 1" thick padding (MMA gloves with 1" padding are allowed)
  • Shin and Instep Pads (cloth or vinyl)
  • Head Gear (no metal allowed)
  • Mouth Guard
  • Groin cup (all male competitors)
  • Chest Protectors - mandatory for all competitors 14 years and younger
  • Padded/Plastic Breast Protector - mandatory for all female competitors 15 to 17 years old

Match Time Limit

Each match shall be 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.
  • Kicks to the head are permitted only in the following divisions:
    • 15 to 17 year old Advanced and Black Belt divisions
    • 18 years and older Intermediate, Advanced and Black Belt 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.
  • A leg sweep that causes the opponent to fall to the mat, if immediately followed up with a well-focused non-contact punch or kick, will be awarded 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.  After 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 spine area.
  • Attacks to the back of the head.
  • Attacks to the groin
  • Attacks to the head, face or neck 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 Beginner and Intermediate divisions
    • 18 years and older Beginner division
  • Grabbing or holding.
  • 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.

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