De Anza Shotokan Karate Club

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Karate Competition

Martial arts competitions come in many different shapes and sizes, depending on several factors. The martial art style plays a big part in this; a karate tournament looks much different than a judo tournament, which in turn looks quite different than a kendo competition. Even within similar styles there are other factors that affect the outlook of the competition, such as a group's affiliation to a national or international organization (if any), and that organization's affiliation with one of the number of different karate leagues operating worldwide, all of which use different rules. Even those groups that use similar scoring criteria often have different point spreads, or slightly different variations on the rules. However, most traditional karate tournaments can be boiled down to two basic areas of competition: kata and kumite. What follows is a brief description of the events offered in those two areas, as well as the rules that you the student are most likely to run into.

Kata

Kata (forms) competition generally falls into two categories: individual kata and team kata. Divisions are normally separated by rank or by experience (time training), as well as by gender. Karateka competing in individual kata are allowed to perform their choice of any kata falling within or below their belt range, usually no higher than their next testing kata. Scores are based upon several factors, including knowledge of kata (correct sequence), technique, speed, power and spirit. Additionally, judges will also consider the degree of difficulty, confidence, style and the level of "realism" the competitor shows when performing the kata. Competitors at the intermediate and advanced levels are usually expected to perform a different kata in the event of a tie.

Team kata competition consists of a team of three competitors who will perform a synchronized kata of their choice. Divisions for team kata are also separated by rank, but not by belt color or gender, as in individual kata. Instead, there will normally be a range of belt levels in a division; i.e. Beginning Team Kata may include white, yellow and blue belt players all competing in a mixed division. Scores for team kata are based upon the same factors as individual kata, as well as the added element of a synchronized presentation. However, judges may also give more weight to the degree of difficulty of the kata, considering that three competitors will have to exhibit a well-timed, spirited performance rather than just one individual.

A third type of competition common at many traditional tournaments is that of kobudo, or weapons competition. In this type of competition the players perform kata using traditional Okinawan weapons. Common weapons in this event often include bo (long staff), jo (short staff), kama (sickle), nunchaku (two-section staff), eiku (oar), tonfa (baton), and more. Ideally, kata performed should be traditional Okinawan forms, but competitors on occasion have been known to use an empty-hand kata by inserting their chosen weapon into the form. Most judges frown upon this. Scoring in kobudo competition follows the same general rules of those in individual kata. Rarely, some tournaments offer a combat division for kobudo, the equivalent to kumite, although this still seems to be more an activity reserved for demonstrations.

Kumite

Kumite (sparring) competition, like kata competition, can be done as an individual event or as part of a team. Individual kumite divisions are broken down by rank, usually by belt color, but separated by gender. Even in very small tournaments, it's unlikely that men and women will end up fighting against one another in individual kumite. Instead, the organizer may choose to group divisions (mixing belt colors) rather than cancel an event.

Kumite matches are usually two minutes in length, with a one-minute "sudden death" overtime match in the case of a tie. Points are usually awarded in half-point increments (wazari), with an occasional full-point (ippon) given for an exceptional technique. Competitors can be penalized for excessive or illegal contact, poor sportsmanship, not sufficiently defending themselves, or for stepping out of the ring boundaries. The first competitor reaching two full points (this varies depending on the event host), or the fighter with the most points at the end of the match, is declared the winner.

Team kumite consists of either a three or a five-member team, depending on the event organizer. Team divisions are grouped by rank, similar to team kata, and are usually divided into Beginning, Intermediate and Advanced divisions. Teams are often not separated by gender however, so men and women may end up competing together.

Team kumite matches, like individual kumite matches, run for two minutes. There is no overtime. Points and penalties are issued based on the same merits as individual kumite. Each competitor fights for the full two minutes, accumulating points for their team. At the end of each match points are announced, but no winner is given. When all fighters have finished, the team with the most points is announced as the winner. In the event of a tie, each team chooses a member - usually their best fighter - to represent the team. Tie-breaking matches run for a full two minutes, and are "sudden death," meaning the first competitor to score a technique wins the match.

Given the varying factors of skill, speed, size and even gender that each team is faced with, strategy can play a bigger role than in individual kumite, as teams choose a player to send into the ring for each match. Some tournament organizers eliminate this "guessing game" by forcing teams to list the order of competition prior to entering the ring.

Judge's Signals

The following is a list of common terms used in tournament competition.
Aka: Red*
Shiro: White*
*To aid in scoring, one fighter wears a red cloth wrapped around their belt at the small of the back. This fighter is "aka" or "red" while the other fighter by default is "shiro" or "white."

Shobu ippon: "One-point match"
Hajime: Begin (said when initiating kumite bouts)
Yame: Stop
Waza-ari: Half-point
Ippon: Full point
Torimasen: Unacceptable as scoring technique
Ai-uchi: Simultaneous scoring technique
Tsuzukete: Fight on (resumption of fighting ordered when an unauthorized interruption occurs, or when no point was awarded)

Jogai: Out of bounds (called when any body part touches outside of the ring)
Chui: Warning (used when a penalty is issued in kumite)
Hansoku: Foul (used to announce victory due to foul)
Hantei: Judgment (called by the head referee when requesting a decision [win/lose in kumite] or a score [kata] from the judges)

Hikiwake: Draw or tie
No kachi: Winner (used when announcing the victor)