MA4U

MA4U TOURNAMENT RULES

Round Durations

All elimination bouts of Light Con, Full Con and K1 will be 2x1-minute rounds and the finals will be 3x1-minute rounds. If fights are scored a draw an extra round is permitted.

Light Contact Kickboxing Rules

Open Tournaments will consist of two rounds of National 2 x 1-minute rounds, including eliminations and finals, applicable to all age groups.

The duration of bouts may be adjusted at the organizers' discretion based on the volume of entries and schedule.

Headshots are permitted for all age groups.

Matches may only end through referee stoppage due to a "No Contest" ruling.

Both the referee and the ring doctor have full authority to stop a fight.

Scoring is conducted by three judges using the ten-point must system, where the winner of a round scores ten points, and the loser scores nine or fewer. In the event of an even round, both fighters receive ten points.

If a draw occurs after three rounds, judges’ scores will be discarded, and one or two additional rounds will be contested. The decision will then be based solely on the extra rounds. If a draw persists, judges will determine the winner by evaluating the overall flow of the match, including minor differences. A fight can only end in a draw if both fighters simultaneously go down and cannot continue, or if there is an accidental injury late in the contest.

Due to the light-contact nature, there is no knockdown rule; however, the referee may intervene and administer a count if a fighter requires time to recover.

The standing eight-count rule applies; the referee may declare a knockdown if a fighter appears unable to continue safely.

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Gala Light Contact Kickboxing Rules

Matches in the single-elimination tournament are two rounds each.

Reserve fights may be held before the tournament begins. Should a fighter be unable to continue after advancing, a reserve match competitor or the fighter's previous opponent may replace them, with exceptions (e.g., fighters losing by knockout may not qualify).

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Required Equipment
The following equipment is mandatory:

Headgear: All amateurs must wear headgear. Adults may opt out if both fighters agree. Top Ten headguards are recommended but not mandatory.

Gum shields: Required at all levels.

Tops: Fighters must wear a t-shirt or vest, a key distinction from other kickboxing formats.

Breast protectors: Optional but recommended for females.

Gloves:

8 oz gloves for fighters aged 8 years and younger.

10 oz gloves for fighters aged 9 years and older.

Wraps: Only bandage or cotton hand wraps are allowed. Zinc oxide or gaffer tape is prohibited.

Trousers: Long kickboxing trousers are mandatory.

Groin guard: Required for males unless otherwise declared. Optional for females.

Shin guards: Must not contain metal inserts.

Foot pads: Mandatory.

Ankle supports: Optional.

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Authorized Fighting Techniques

Punches: Straight punches, hooks, and uppercuts.

Above-waist kicks: Includes front, middle, high, side, back, jumping, and spinning kicks.

All strikes must be controlled. Excessive force can lead to disqualification at the referee's discretion.

Backspin Blow Restrictions

Strikes using elbows, forearms, or gloves are considered fouls. If uncertain, the fight may be reviewed via video replay. Violations may result in penalties or disqualification.

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Foul Techniques
Excessive techniques lacking control may lead to disqualification at the referee's discretion. The referee’s decision is final.

Penalties for foul techniques include:

Cautions: Two cautions result in a warning.

Warnings: Two warnings result in a one-point deduction. Three point deductions in one round may lead to disqualification.

Immediate point deductions or disqualifications apply for malicious or damaging fouls. Examples of fouls include:

Headbutting.

Using elbows or knees to strike.

Low blows.

Wrestling, throws, or submissions.

Biting or choking.

Striking an opponent while down or after the referee calls a break.

Insulting or offensive language toward officials.

Punching the back of the head.

Holding ropes or intentionally exiting the ring.

Additional Prohibited Behaviors

Holding the opponent’s kicking leg.

Passive holding or clinching, except when part of an authorized attack.

Repeatedly charging with the head down to avoid attacks (may result in cautions or deductions).

Intentional or passive avoidance of engagement.

The referee may issue penalties for unsportsmanlike behavior, and their decision is final.

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FULL CONTACT KICKBOXING RULES

General Rules:

Eligibility:

FC Kickboxing is allowed only for participants aged 12 and above.

Match Duration:

Standard matches are three or five rounds, with each round lasting two minutes.

Open tournaments consist of two rounds of one minute each, with finals extending to three rounds of one minute each.

Match Outcomes:

The match can end via Knockout (KO), Technical Knockout (TKO), Decision, Disqualification, Draw, or No Contest.

In bouts involving children, control is paramount. Blows to the head resulting in KO or potential KO must be avoided.

Authority to Stop the Fight:

Only the referee and ring doctor can stop the fight.

Scoring System:

Matches are scored using the ten-point must system:

The winner of each round receives ten points, while the loser receives nine or less.

If the round is even, both fighters receive ten points.

In case of a draw after three rounds:

Additional one or two three-minute rounds will be contested.

Judges score these extra rounds exclusively to determine the winner.

If still tied, judges evaluate the entire match for the winner based on any slight differences.

Knockdown Rules:

Three-knockdown rule: Three knockdowns in one round result in a TKO.

Mandatory eight-count: The referee counts to eight for all knockdowns.

Standing eight-count: The referee can declare a knockdown if a fighter appears unable to continue safely.

Special Provisions:

Fighters can only be saved by the bell in the final round.

Reserve fighters may step in if a competitor cannot continue, subject to certain conditions (e.g., fighters who lost by KO may not be eligible).

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Required Equipment:

Head Gear: Mandatory for amateurs. Adults may opt out if both fighters agree. Recommended brand: Top Ten Head-guards.

Gum Shields: Required for all participants.

Tops: Fighters under 12 must wear a T-shirt or vest.

Breast Protectors: Optional but recommended for females.

Gloves: 10oz gloves are mandatory.

Hand Wraps: Only bandage or cotton wraps allowed. Zinc oxide tape can be used but must not cover knuckles. Gaffa-style tape is prohibited.

Trousers: Long kickboxing trousers are required.

Groin Guards: Mandatory for males; optional for females.

Shin Guards: Required but must not contain metal inserts.

Foot Pads: Mandatory.

Ankle Supports: Optional.

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Authorized Techniques:

Punches:

Straight punches, hooks, and uppercuts.

Kicks:

Front kicks, middle kicks, high kicks, side kicks, back kicks, jumping kicks, spinning kicks.

Backspin Blow:

Must not involve elbows, forearms, or glove edges.

Ambiguous cases may be reviewed with video replay.

Unauthorized strikes during a backspin blow are penalized.

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Prohibited Actions (Foul Techniques):

General Prohibitions:

Low kicks or knee usage.

Headbutts, elbow strikes, or groin attacks.

Wrestling, judo throws, or submission techniques.

Biting, choking, or punching the throat.

Striking an opponent when they are down or during a referee's break.

Hitting the back of the head.

Holding and Passive Actions:

Holding the kicking leg or using it to execute a throw.

Passive holding or clinching without an authorized attack.

Excessive defensive behavior or waiting for counterattacks without engaging.

Sportsmanship Violations:

Using offensive language toward referees.

Intentionally causing an opponent to fall out of the ring.

Turning one’s back on the opponent.

Intentional Fouls:

Malicious actions may result in immediate point deductions or disqualification.

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Penalties for Fouls:

Cautions and Warnings:

Two cautions equal one warning.

Two warnings result in a one-point deduction.

Three point deductions in one round lead to disqualification.

Referee Discretion:

Referees can immediately penalize malicious fouls.

Headbutts causing injury may lead to point deductions or disqualification

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POINTS FIGHTING RULES

Rounds

For Pointfighting divisions, rounds are structured as follows:

Eliminations:

1 x 1-minute round, or

1 x 1.5-minute round

Finals (National Events):

1 x 1.5-minute round

These durations are subject to change based on announcements made prior to the tournament.

Extra Time Rule:

In case of a draw, there is no break. An additional 30 seconds to 1 minute of extra time is provided.

If there is still no decision, a sudden death round determines the winner, with the first competitor to score being declared victorious.

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Competitor Requirements

Attire:

Competitors must wear clean and appropriate outfits.

Acceptable clothing includes clean T-shirts with long trousers (extending to the feet, without zippers, buttons, or pockets).

Traditional Karate Gis or Taekwondo uniforms (Dobok) are permitted.

Prohibited Items:

Metal objects such as jewellery, piercings, chains, watches, or earrings.

Eyeglasses; only soft contact lenses are allowed and at the competitor's own risk.

Hair:

Long hair must be tied with elastic bands only. Hair grips, headbands, hairnets, or scarves are not allowed.

Optional Accessories:

Club or sponsor badges and names/slogans are allowed as long as they adhere to public decency standards.

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Required Equipment

Competitors must wear the following:

Helmet

Gum shield (mouthguard)

Open-hand gloves (fingers and thumbs enclosed)

Safety kicks (toes and heels covered)

Groin protector (mandatory for men; optional but recommended for women)

Shin guards (worn under clothes)

Breast protectors (optional for women but strongly recommended)

Optional Equipment:

Hand bandages (max length 3.5m; no tape on fists/knuckles)

Elbow/knee protectors (for protection, not striking)

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Referee Powers and Restrictions

Referee Authority:

Stop the bout along with the president or doctor.

Deduct points for specific violations (e.g., excessive area exits, unsportsmanlike behavior).

Disqualify competitors for improper safety equipment, failing to appear, or repeated rule breaches.

Prohibited Actions for Referees:

Altering or imposing rules beyond their remit.

Overruling majority scores unless a rule has been clearly broken.

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Fight Process

Start:

The main referee ensures all officials, scorekeepers, timekeepers, and medical staff are ready.

After checking competitors' equipment and readiness, the referee commands "shake hands," "touch gloves," or "bow," then begins the match with "fight."

Interruption:

The referee stops the fight if a point is scored, saying "stop." Competitors return to their starting positions.

Points are awarded after a majority decision by judges.

End:

The fight ends when the timekeeper calls "stop" or the referee declares it over.

A 10-point lead triggers a TKO in elimination fights (e.g., 10-0 or 13-3).

The referee announces the winner and final score.

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Scoring

Scoring Areas:

Front, back, and sides of the head.

Front and sides of the body.

Sweeps (boot-to-boot or drop sweeps without hands touching the floor).

Scoring Values:

Hand strikes (head/body): 1 Point

Body kicks: 2 Points

Head kicks: 3 Points

Judging Criteria:

At least 2 out of 3 referees must confirm a valid strike for it to count.

The main referee can overrule if a clear strike was missed due to an obstructed view.

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Prohibited Actions

Strikes to the knees, thighs, groin, back, or top of the head.

Sweeping or kicking to the knee.

Biting, scratching, spitting, or verbal abuse.

Continuing to attack after "stop" is called.

Wasting time by leaving the fighting area or falling intentionally.

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Point fighting Techniques

Permitted Techniques:

Jab, reverse punch, back fist, ridge hand.

Kicks: side, front, spinning back, roundhouse, hook, crescent, axe.

Sweeps and spinning sweeps.

Illegal Techniques:

Spinning back fist, knife hand, throws, elbows, low kicks, knee or head butts.

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Coach Conduct

Only one coach per competitor is allowed and must remain seated.

Coaches may signal for a time-out by making a "T" gesture but cannot enter the fighting area.

Repeated infractions may result in a penalty or fighter disqualification.

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Neutrality and Bias

Referees ensure unbiased officiation, particularly when judging competitors from their own club.

Only one referee from a competitor’s club may officiate on their match area.

K-1 RULES IN BRIEF

K1- RULES

Headshots Allowed: Headshots are allowed and can be scored for all ages, including juniors.

MATCH OUTCOMES

End of Match: Can be decided by:

Knockout

Technical Knockout

Decision

Disqualification

Draw

No Contest

In Children’s Bouts:

Controlled strikes are a must, with a focus on safety.

Knockouts or potential knockouts to children’s heads are to be avoided.

Authority:

The referee and ring doctor have the authority to stop the fight.

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SCORING AND DECISION

10-Point Must System:

Winner of round gets 10 points.

Loser of round gets 9 points or less.

In case of a draw, both fighters get 10 points each.

Extra Rounds:

If there’s a draw after 3 rounds, extra rounds are contested (1 or 2 rounds), and the decision is based on the extra round scores.

In the event of another draw, the entire match flow is considered for a decision.

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KNOCKDOWNS

3 Knockdowns Rule:

3 knockdowns in one round = Technical Knockout (TKO).

4 knockdowns in total = TKO.

Mandatory 8-Count:

Referee must count to 8 for all knockdowns

Standing 8-count: If a fighter appears in dangerous condition, the referee can call for a standing count.

Saved by the Bell:

A fighter can be saved by the bell only in the final round.

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MANDATORY EQUIPMENT

Headgear: Required for all amateurs.

Adults may opt-out, but both fighters must agree.

Gum Shields: Required at all levels.

Breast Protectors: Optional for women.

Gloves:

10or8oz for 8yrs & under.

10oz for 9yrs+.

Wraps: Only bandage or cotton wraps, and Zinc Oxide tape on the hands (no tape over knuckles).

Other Equipment:

Groin Guard: Required for men, optional for women.

Shin/Instep Protectors: Must not have metal inserts.

Ankle Supports: Optional.

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AUTHORIZED TECHNIQUES

Punches: Straight punches, hooks, uppercuts.

Kicks:

Front, low, middle, high kicks, side, back, thigh kicks, jumping kicks, and knee strikes to the body.

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FOUL TECHNIQUES

Examples of Fouls:

Head-butting, Elbowing, Groin strikes, Wrestling techniques, and Thumbing.

Penalties for Foul Techniques:

Caution: For first offense.

Warning: After 2 cautions.

Point Deduction: After 2 warnings.

Disqualification: After 3 point deductions in one round or in case of malicious fouls.