Some of the rules you can find for sparring

ARTICLE 1 : COMPETITION AREA

1.1 The competition area must be flat and devoid of hazard.

1.2 The competition are must be a matted square in all Team Trials competitions for selection of competitors for a United States National Team; for other tournaments or events, the use of mats is optional.

1.3 The area will be a square, with sides of 8 meters (measured from the outside). Where mats are not used, the competition area may be defined by marking the boundaries with colored tape of appropriate thickness. The area may be elevated to a height of up to 1 meter above floor level. The elevated platform should measure at least 10 meters to a side, in order to include both the competition and the safety area.

1.4 Two parallel lines, each 1 meter long and at right angles to the Referee’s line, must be drawn at a distance if 1.5 meters from the center of the competition area for positioning the competitors. Such lines may be laid down with colored tape of appropriate thickness.

1.5 A line of 0.5 meters long must be drawn 2 meters from the center of the competition area for positioning the Referee. Such lines may be laid down with colored tape of appropriate thickness.

1.6 The arbitrator shall be seated beside the scorekeeper and timekeeper.

1.7 A line must be drawn one meter on the inside of the competition area. The area enclosed by this line may be a different color, or the line itself may be broken. Such lines may be laid down with colored tape of appropriate thickness.

CONTESTANTS

2.4.1a All contestants must wear a white unmarked Karate GI without stripes or piping. At the USA-NKF National Championships and any United States Team Trials competitions, only the USA-NKF emblem may be worn at the election of the competitor. This must be on the left breast of the GI jacket and shall not exceed an overall size of 10 cm2. There shall be no effect on scoring whether or not a competitor elects to display such emblem on the jacket. Only the original manufacturers labels may be displayed on the GI and in the normally accepted locations (i.e. bottom right corner of the GI jacket, and waist position of the trousers). For all other tournaments and competitions, a contestant may wear a single patch or emblem identifying their respective Karate organization, school, or system on the left breast area of the jacket. Such patch or emblem shall not exceed an overall size of 10 cm2, and shall not be a design or symbol which is offensive to the dignity of the match, unsportsmanlike, or contrary to the principles of Karate-do.

In addition, an identifying number issued by the Tournament Organizing Committee may be worn on the back, sleeve, or breast area of the GI jacket as established by the Organizing Committee. One contestant must wear a red belt or sash, and the other a blue belt or sash. The blue and red belts must be around 5 cm wide and of a length sufficient to allow 15 cm free on each side of the knot.

A drug test may be required in certain circumstances.

2.4.1b Notwithstanding paragraph 1a above, with the prior written approval of the USA-NKF, the Tournament Directing Committee may authorize the display of special labels or trademarks, of approved sponsors.

2.5 The GI jacket, when tightened around the waist with the belt, must be of minimum length that covers the hips, but no longer than mid-thigh. A female contestant may elect to wear a plain white T-shirt or leotard beneath the GI jacket. Male contestants may not wear any shirt of any kind or color underneath the GI jacket without the prior consent of the Tournament Referee Council.

2.6 The maximum length of the GI jacket sleeves must be no longer than the bend of the wrist and no shorter than halfway down the forearm. Jacket sleeves may not be tolled up, either on the outside or inside of the sleeve.

2.7 The GI trousers must be long enough to cover at least two-thirds of the shin, and may not be rolled up, either on the outside or inside of the leg.

2.8 Each contestant must keep their hair clean and cut to a length that does not obstruct smooth bout conduct or present a safety hazard to competitors. Hachimaki (headband) of any kind will not be allowed. Should the Referee consider any contestant’s hair too long and/ or unclean, the Referee may, with the Referee Council’s approval, disqualify the contestant from the bout. In Kumite matches hair slides ("scrunchies")are prohibited, as are metal hair clips ("barrettes"). In Kata a discreet hair clip is permitted.
 

2.9 Contestants must have short fingernails, and must not wear jewelry or other objects which might injure their opponents.
 

2.10 Fist pads and gum shields are compulsory in all Divisions. Competitors shall supply one pair of fist pads in red, and one pair in blue. In all divisions, groin protectors (cups) are required for male competitors, and soft shin pads which do not cover the instep of the foot are allowed.

For all adult Advanced Kumite divisions and Junior National Team Trials divisions, the following restrictions apply:

1. Instep protectors are forbidden; shin protectors which do not cover the foot are allowed;
2. Glasses are forbidden ( soft contact lenses can be worn at the contestant’s own discretion);
3. The wearing of unauthorized clothing or equipment is forbidden;
4. Women may wear the authorized additional protective equipment for the chest area.
For all other divisions, an athlete may elect to wear shatterproof, safety athletic goggles of an approved design.

For Junior Beginner, Novice and Intermediate Kumite divisions, under 14 years of age, a competitor may elect to use a soft foam head protector, provided that such protector is a solid color, and of an approved design which does not impede the ability of the athlete to score or be scored upon.

2.12 Any protective equipment must meet standard specifications and be an approved design.

2.13 The use of tape, bandages, or soft elastic braces because of injury must be approved by the Referee Council, on the advice of the official Doctor. No braces which include any metallic parts shall be used. No tape shall be applied in more than a single layer on the hands or feet of any competitor, as this creates an unfair advantage and increases the risk of injury to an opponent. The Referee may disqualify any competitor who attempts to compete with excessive taping of the hands or feet.

American Tigerstrike, Inc.
  
Promote Your Page Too

Most orders ship out within 36 hours and only take about 5-6 business days to reach you - for more information and shipping prices click here.