ISKA rules

Part 4: Amateur rules and regulations

Rules of conduct inside and outside the ring

It is the duty of every fighter to show fair play in the ring. Should a fighter not be ready to continues the match, because his/her safety equipment is not working properly or for other reasons, he shall retreat one step and raise one arm.

Should a fighter be sent down for the count or in any other way be incapacitated, his/her opponent shall immediately retreat to the nearest neutral corner and wait for the referee to signal that the match can proceed again.

When a fighter receives a warning or a reprimand from the referee, he/she must bow in the direction of the referee to indicate that he/she has understood the reason why.

At the conclusion of the fight the fighters shall approach the referee, standing in the centre of the ring, and there, one on each side of the referee, await the speaker’s announcement of the verdict. The referee then raises the arm of the winner.

After the fight the competitors salute each other and the opponent’s seconds, after which both fighters bow to the referee in recognition of his/her efforts.

Violation of ISKA rules and regulations, or infringements of the unwritten laws of good sportsmanship and fair play may lead to a warning or disqualification for a shorter or longer duration of time, depending on the seriousness of the violation or infringement.

The fighter

All fighters shall be clean and proper. It is the sole prerogative of the ISKA to decide whether facial hair (moustaches, sideburns, beards or a combination of these) or the length of the hair poses a safety hazard to the fighters or an obstacle to the unhindered observation of the match.

Excessive use of grease or similar substances is prohibited.

The referee can insist that such facial hair be removed, or in the case of long hair, be contained by a net, and that Vaseline, grease or any other similar substances be removed before the fight can start or proceed.

The fighter’s equipment

All fighters must be equipped in all divisions with approved safety equipment in the form of padded protectors:

1. individually fitted breast-protector for women only, in all disciplines, for female juniors over 10 years
2. individually fitted groin-protector for all juniors, men and women in all disciplines
3. foot protectors in light contact, full contact and kickboxing
4. shin protectors in light contact and full contact
5. shin protectors are voluntary in kickboxing
6. individually fitted head-protector (helmet); the top of the head must be protected too, open helmets are forbidden
7. individually fitted tooth-protector (gum shield)
8. hand-bandages max. 2.5 metres
9. gloves 10oz in all weight categories for seniors
10. gloves for kids and juniors 10–12oz

The fighters have the responsibility of bringing their own personal equipment and that of their seconds to all ISKA matches and tournaments.

The hands of the fighters must be protected by bandages of soft elasticised material no more than 2 inches (5.08cm) wide. Adhesive plaster may be applied directly to the skin in such a manner that it protects the part of the hand closest to the wrist. Its direct application may not exceed 1 (one) unbroken winding on the hand, although it is permitted that the plaster cross the back of the hand 2 (two) times, and it may not be placed higher on the hand than at a distance of 1 (one) inch ( 2.54 cm) from the knuckles when the hand is made into a fist.

Over this a layer of elasticised bandage is applied, held in place by selfadhesive plaster. The bandages must be approved by the referee or by the tournament director.

All fighters with long hair may wear approved hairbands or -holders without any metal and must do so if the hair is long enough to pose a safety hazard or could hinder the observation of the fight.

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.

More about ISKA

Photos from the ISKA UK gallery

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