Rules Discussion Edited aug 16, 2004

Presented by Sensei Ron Fagan at the May 16th New England Regional Workout, held at the Plymouth, MA Sports Dome.

Dress code. 

Officials: Soft sole, black shoes, black dress socks. Black dress pants, black dress belt, white, short sleeve button shirt. With dark blue or black tie. No rings or watches.No one talks to the officials while they are working.Coaches can help the competitors during the tournament. (In the Warm-up Arena) Officials are all business during the tournament.

Competitor's Mandatory Equipment: Clean White Gi. No patches  WKF hand gear, Groin protection, Mouth guard. Optional: Chest protection for women and shin guards. (Cannot cover the instep.)

New officials will receive training by rotating duties as officials in the ring.

No coaching during the match. Ok before and after. There is a special arena for practicing and coaching competitors. No coaching in the arena where the matches are being held.

Pre Tournament Meeting for competitors and officials: There will be a brief competitor's meeting prior to the tournament. There will also be an officials meeting.

Questions: If anyone has any questions or comments relating to the tournament, send them in to G.E.M. for discussion on the internet, following the tournament.

Following the action: Copies of the rules summary, official's r joints as well.

Required criteria: Now that we have identified the target areas and techniques allowed and not allowed for a point, the officials must determine if the technique was delivered with required criteria:

Good form, correct attitude, proper timing, correct distance, vigorous application and Zanchin.

Good form is the technical excellence of the technique. What is taught in the dojo.

Correct Attitude: This is a game. Are you trying to hurt someone? Everyone knows what “bad” attitude is… “The tough sensei in Karate Kid”.

Proper timing: go-nosen: block, then score. Kennosen: block and score at the same time, Sen.. sense and attack and score before opponent can move.

Correct Distance: Ability to penetrate your target. (Not actually penetrate)

Vigorous application: The palatable will to score! You have to “want” to score!  Someone who doesn’t want to be in the ring will be disqualified.

Zanchin: “Continued commitment” .This means scoring and being prepared to continue to effectively and vigorously resume the attack.

Note: at end of kata, competitor should project this same Zanchin throughout the kata and at the end of the kata, before the bow.

Target areas plus required criteria equal Ippon!

Prohibited Behaviors: Throat contact, Excessive contact, Dangerous throws, Jogai (leaving ring) repeated, Groin/shin attack to instep, Openhand technique to face, Feigning injury, Uncontrolled technique, Mubobi, Discourteous behavior, Grabbing, pushing, wrestling, Repeated attacks to arms or legs.

Penalties: Warning, half point, full point, disqualification. (Officials can disqualify at any time)

Flags and votes: Corner judges “augment” the referee’s decision. If a corner judge doesn’t see something, he gives his vote to the Referee.