Kumite

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USA Karate Locally Modified Kumite 

The Spirit of Denver Karate Championships will follow the 2025 USA-NKF locally Modified Kumite Rules.

· Tournament Director has the right to combine or split categories.

· Tournament Chief Referee has the right to use 3 or 5 Judges

Mandatory Equipment

White Karate-Gi

Mouth Guard 

Groin Cup for Boys

Red and Blue factory lettering is allowed. 

Dojo karate patches are allowed. One patch from any karate federation is allowed. No patch is allowed.

USA Karate style hand protection (Red or Blue Naugahyde. No fabric. Red cannot be worn on (AU) Blue side and no Blue on (AKA) Red side

USA Karate style Foot/Shin (Red, Blue, White) Naugahyde. No fabric. Red cannot be worn on (AU) Blue side and no Blue on (AKA) Red side. White Foot/Shin can be worn on either side 

Optional Equipment

Headgear (with or Without face shield), Body protector, Chest protector (female).

USA KARATE Modified Kumite 

1. USANKF locally modified rules

All Divisions under 12:  1:30 minutes long - Stop Time – 8-point ceiling.

All Divisions 12 -17:    2:00 minutes - Stop Time – 8-point ceiling.

All Divisions 18 and up:  3:00 Minutes – Stop Time – 8-point ceiling

The list of prohibited behavior follows the exact USA Karate kumite Tournament Rules.

Prohibited Techniques and Behavior

CATEGORY 1

1. Techniques which make excessive contact, having regard to the scoring area attacked, and techniques which make contact with the throat.

2. Attacks to the arms or legs, groin, joints, or instep.

3. Attacks to the face with open hand techniques.

4. Dangerous or forbidden throwing techniques.

CATEGORY 2

1. Feigning, or exaggerating injury.

2. Exit from the competition area (JOGAI), not caused by the opponent.

3. Self-endangerment by indulging in behavior, which exposes the Competitor to injury by the opponent, or failing to take adequate measures for self-protection, (MUBOBI).

4. Avoiding combat as a means of preventing the opponent having the opportunity to score.

5. Passivity – not attempting to engage in combat. (Cannot be given after there is less than 15 seconds left of the bout.)

6. Clinching, wrestling, pushing, or standing chest to chest without attempting a scoring technique or takedown

7. Grabbing the opponent with both hands for any other reasons than executing a takedown upon catching the opponents kicking leg.

8. Grabbing the opponent’s arm or karate gi with one hand without immediately attempting a scoring technique or takedown.

9. Techniques, which by their nature cannot be controlled for the safety of the opponent and dangerous and uncontrolled attacks.

10. Simulated attacks with the head, knees, or elbows.

11. Talking to, or goading the opponent, failing to obey the orders of the Referee, discourteous behavior towards the Refereeing officials, or other breaches of etiquette.

Source: judge-wkf.com

Contact Rules (Modification from USA Karate Rules)

All ages:

Non-injurious, controlled contact to the body is allowed with hand and foot techniques to the body.

Foot to head, face, neck, or helmet (a helmet is considered part of the head) with controlled “skin touch,” non-injurious, is scored. This is allowed for all ages.

Any greater contact or uncontrolled contact considered too strong to any part of the body will be penalized.

Ages 16 and up:

Athletes 16 and up are allowed “skin touch,” non-injurious, to face by hand and foot. Head includes, face, neck, helmet (a helmet is considered part of the head) with controlled skin touch will be scored. Anything deemed as more than “skin touch” to the head will be penalized.

Ages 15 and below:

Hand to head, face, neck or helmet is NOT allowed for ages 15 and below and will be penalized.

Prohibited actions and behaviors Resulting in Fouls.

Chui 1, Chui 2, Chui 3, Hansuko Chui, Hansuko. Shikaku if the incident is extremely severe and/or harms the reputation of USA Karate or the Tournament itself. 

“When SHIKKAKU is submited, the severity of the penalty is decided by the Head Referee, other tournament officials, and the tournament director will convene.  The outcome, only then, will be dicided at that time.

Takedowns:

All ages and levels are allowed safe and controlled sweeps and take down if immediately followed by an attempt to score. If a takedown takes place without an immediate attempt to score, the athlete who committed the takedown will be penalized. All takedowns must be safe and controlled. 

Scoring on to an Athlete once an athlete has been taken, or on their own to the ground, must be hand techniques (punches), no kicks to an opponent on the ground will be allowed.

• If any part of the body touches      the ground and the athlete is scored and will result in an Ippon (3      points), for the athlete delivering the technique. Exception:  in an athlete purposely places their knee      on the ground in an attempt to deliver a punch, and they are scored on,      this will only result in a yuko (1 point).

Scoring 

Yuko: one point – hand techniques

Wazari: two points – Kicks to the body

Ippon: thee points – Kicks to the head or punches to an athlete with other parts of the body on the ground other than the feet (knee, hand, torso on the ground).

No ten second rule for age 11 and below.

The scoring areas shall be limited to the following: 

a. A. Head 

b. B. Face 

c. C. Neck (including throat, but not touching the throat) 

d. D. Torso/Abdomen 

e. E. Chest 

f. F. Side G. Back

CRITERIA FOR SCORING

Good form - a technique with good form is said to have characteristics conferring probable effectiveness within the framework of traditional karate concepts. 

Correct attitude - a non-malicious attitude of great concentration obvious during delivery of the scoring technique within the framework of traditional Karate concepts. 

Vigorous application - defines the power, speed and controlled delivery of the technique, with the purpose of succeeding. 

Zanshin - a continued state of awareness and commitment which endures after the technique has landed. The contestant with Zanshin maintains total concentration and awareness of the opponent’s potential to counterattack and the ability to continue with proper form and other continuing techniques. 

Proper timing - delivering a technique when it will have the greatest potential effect. Proper timing is carrying out a technique at the optimum moment in time to achieve the greatest result. 

Correct distance - delivering a technique at the precise distance where it will have the greatest potential effect.

Coaches

Must be USA Karate Members and specified Coaches Membership.

Ages 18 and up following USA Karate Rules

One Coach per 10 athletes 

Coaches must wear a dojo jacket and tracksuit suit/warm up pants clearing displaying dojo or team identification including athletic type shoes. No hats. No sandals.

No open toe shoes, sandals, or flip flops allowed while on the competition floor. 

No hats will be allowed on the competition floor

Coaches must accept the USA Karate Code of Conduct

Coaches must obey all event rules and procedures. 

Coaches are allowed on the competition floor only for coaching assisting athletes. 

Coaches are not allowed on the floor for spectators only. 

Coaches are prohibited from using communication devices such as cell phones and “walkie-talkies” while coaching their athletes. 

Coaches are prohibited from videotaping or photographing on the competition floor.