ISKA rules

Part 2: Point fighting

Beginning, interruption and end of fights

A contest is refereed by a main referee and two side-judges, who are always standing opposite to him. That says, the side-judges have to move during the fight and not stand on the same point.

Equipment check

First of all the side-judges have to check the fighters safety equipment. Each judge is responsible for the fighter at his end. He starts from the head to the toes, also for women the chest protector and her groin protector by asking. If in case of an injury the fighter was found not to have the correct protective equipment he/she will be disqualified immediately.

The judge is also responsible too, that the fighter has no jewellery or metal and that the nails on toes are short. No glasses (spectacles) are allowed to be worn during a fight. There are no exceptions to this rule. This includes specially made unbreakable sports spectacles. Also no face shields on helmets. Soft contact-lenses are possible but at their own risk.

Groin protectors, shin guards (and chest protectors for female Juniors and adults) must be worn under the clothes, chest protector for female kids recommended.

Start

The main referee will take his place in the middle of the fighters, facing the official table. He must check that his side-judges are ready to start, that the timekeeper and scorekeeper are ready to begin and that the match doctor is by the referee table or close by in the hall. Finally he should keep an eye on the visual score cards, that they are not showing points or warning, except in a team competition.

After the command ‘shake hands’ or ‘touch gloves’ to the fighters, he will start the match with the command ‘fight’.

Interruption

If the main referee acknowledges a point scored by one of the competitors he has to raise up his hand immediately then he will stop the fight saying ‘stop’ and both competitors will return to their starting position. The match time is still running!

The main referee will also quickly return to his starting position and show with his hand in the direction of the fighter who has scored. He must look for his side-judges, and in case of a majority decision he will give the points and announce the score.

After giving the point he should start the fight again with the command ‘fight’. The main referee should always keep an eye on the referee table, to be sure that the visual scoreboard shows the correct points and warnings.

Important note: when the side-judges are not showing the point by raising their hands before the main referee stopped the fight the only possible decision is no score. To raise up the hand or to show a point after the command ‘stop’ is too late and illegal.

Apart from the referee, only the doctor/medic can stop a fight. The coach may throw in the towel for his fighter, when he wants to retire from the fight, or having his protective equipment adjusted. The referee has to stop the time if the fighter is outside of the area, for giving warnings, penalty points or when the equipment is not fitting well.

End of the match

The time of the fight is over when the timekeeper whistles or rings a bell.

The fight is over in any case, when the main referee stops the fight finally with the command ‘stop’ and not earlier.

If there is a score in the time between the ‘end of time’ and ‘end of fight’ that score is valid.

He turns to the referee table, takes one hand of both fighters and show the winner, announcing the final score.

Contents

Part 1: General

1. ISKA / IRC
2. Amateur status
3. Doping
4. Registration
5. Age categories
6. Weigh-in and medical examinations
7. Tournament organization
8. Referees

Part 2: Point fighting

1. Clothing and outfit
2. Matches, weight divisions and match time
3. Referee’s power
4. Beginning, interruption and end of fights
5. Rules of competition
6. Points and scoring
7. Warnings and penalty points
8. Competition safety rules
9. Protests

Part 3: Forms

1. Overview, scoring and presentation
2. Traditional Japanese hardstyle
3. Traditional Korean hardstyle
4. Softstyle
5. Musical form: freestyle empty hand
6. Musical form: freestyle weapon
7. Weapon traditional: no music
8. Veterans traditional

Part 4: Amateur rules and regulations

1. ISKA amateur weight classes
2. Physical examination
3. Divisions and rounds
4. Rules of conduct inside and outside the ring
5. Fighter and seconds
6. Matches in full contact, kickboxing and Thaiboxing
7. ASKA Amateur Division scoring rules
8. Protests and alteration of decisions in amateur events

About ISKA

ISKA is recognised worldwide as both a regulating body for competitive martial arts, and the governing body for amateur and professional kickboxing. Hosting its annual World Martial Arts Championships at the prestigious US Open, ISKA crowns World Champions in seven types of martial arts competition.

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