Continuous/Light Contact Sparring Rules 2024

Amerikick Internationals

•Competition contact for all techniques is deemed to be light contact controlled martial arts movements. Continuous sparring does not include knockout techniques and is not applied as a full contact combative sport. Techniques must be well controlled when they land on legal targets with enough control as not to “strike through” or “push through” target with their scoring technique. Emphasis must be placed on both punching and kicking techniques. Punching or “boxing” only for an extended period of time without throwing kicks may be cause for penalization or may downgrade the judge’s evaluation of your performance. (Combinations with hands and feet score the best)

Each match is carried out with running time. The center referee and three judges will evaluate the relative effectiveness of each fighter based on the number of quality and variety of the scoring strikes. The three officials will determine the winner of each match by majority decision.
 (1- 2- minute round) (2- 2 minute rounds finals)

Uniforms and Safety Equipment
 •Safety equipment is for all continuous divisions.

*Head protection, mouth-guard, approved gloves (closed finger with thumb attached) groin protection, shin guards, foot protection and elbow guards.

•Youth divisions (17 yrs.& below) will have the same equipment requirement PLUS an approved face shield and chest protector.

*Uniforms are: Traditional uniform top, V-neck top or Team T-shirt and long pants for all fighters. Long pants, traditional uniform top, sport top, V neck top or Team T-shirts for female fighters as well.

*Belts indicating their grade are required. NOTE: For competitors who choose to wear T-shirts, they will need to be clearly and obviously part of a TEAM UNIFORM.
Each fighter must wear a clean uniform in good repair. The pants must reach ankle length.

Time and Rounds
Finals matches shall be two, 2 minute rounds.

*Weight Divisions and Weigh-in Procedures. *Weigh-In Mandatory at registration

Categories

LC-01 10-12 Light Contact Continuous Under 32 kg / 70.5 lbs and lighter (m)

LC-02 10-12 Light Contact Continuous 42 kg / 70.5 – 92.5 lbs (m)

LC-02.2 10-12 Light Contact Continuous 42 kg +/ 92.5 lbs and heavier (m)

LC-04 13-15 Light Contact Continuous 52 kg / 114.6 lbs and lighter (m)

LC-05 13-15 Light Contact Continuous 63 kg / 114.6 – 138.8 lbs (m)

LC-06 13-15 Light Contact Continuous Over 63 kg / 138.8 lbs and heavier (m)

LC-07 16-17 Light Contact Continuous 69 kg / 152.1 lbs and lighter (m)

LC-08 16-17 Light Contact Continuous 79 kg / 152.1 – 174.1 lbs (m)

LC-09 16-17 Light Contact Continuous 79 kg / 174.1 and heavier lbs (m)

LC-10 10-12 Light Contact Continuous 32 kg / 70.5 lbs and lighter (f)

LC-11 10-12 Light Contact Continuous 42 kg / 70.5 – 92.5 lbs (f)

LC-12 10-12 Light Contact Continuous 42 kg / 92.5 lbs and heavier (f)

LC-13 13-15 Light Contact Continuous 50 kg / 110.2 lbs (f)

LC-14 13-15 Light Contact Continuous 60 kg / 132.2 lbs (f)

LC-16 16-17 Light Contact Continuous 55 kg / 121.2 lbs (f)

LC-17 16-17 Light Contact Continuous 65 kg / 143.3 lbs

LC-19 18 & Over Light Contact Continuous 69 kg / 152.1 lbs (m)

LC-20 18 & Over Light Contact Continuous 79 kg / 174.1 lbs (m)

LC-21 18 & Over Light Contact Continuous 89 kg / 196.2 lbs (m)

LC-23 18 & Over Light Contact Continuous 55 kg / 121.2 lbs (f)

LC-24 18 & Over Light Contact Continuous 65 kg / 143.3 lbs (f)

LC-25 18 & Over Light Contact Continuous143.3 lbs and up (f)

LC-26 18 & Over Light Contact Continuous 196.2 lbs and up (m)

Legal Target Areas
-The following parts of the body may be attacked using the authorized fighting techniques:

•Head – front and side
•Torso – front and side
•Feet – for sweeping (referred to as boot to boot)

Legal Techniques – Scoring
Both hand and foot strikes should be used. In evaluating each fighter’s performance, the judges will give more credit to the athlete that is effective with a balanced attack of kicks and punches thrown in combination. Punching or “boxing” only for an extended period without throwing kicks may be cause for penalization or may downgrade the judge’s evaluation of a fighter’s performance. The authorized striking area of the hand or foot must make “Clean/ Controlled” Light contact. The fighter must be looking at the point of contact when executing the technique. All techniques must be well executed.

Weak techniques or techniques that simply touch or brush or push an opponent will not be scored. Excessive contact, mauling, pushing or rough housing will be grounds for penalization and/or disqualification. (Center judge has discretion)
If a fighter jumps in the air to attack, he must land inside the ring to score, and he must keep his balance (it is not allowed to touch the floor with any part of the body except the feet).

Hand Techniques: The following hand techniques may be applied:
•Ridge hand
•Punches
•Backfist (Spinning Back Fist –Illegal Technique)
Foot, Leg, Techniques:
The following foot techniques may be applied:
•Front kick
•Sidekick
•Roundhouse kick
•Heel kick (sole of the foot only) •Crescent kick •Axe kick (sole of the foot only) •Jump kicks
•Foot sweeps (boot to boot – ankle level only)

•Illegal Target Areas
Any technique not listed as legal above or a striking any target not listed as legal
It is prohibited to:
•Attack the throat, lower abdomen, kidneys, back, legs, joints, groin and to the back of the head or neck.
•Attack with the knee, elbow, knife-hand, head-butts, thumb and shoulder or a spinning hand strike.
•Turn one’s the back to the opponent, run away, fall down, intentional clinching, blind techniques, wrestling and ducking below opponent’s waist.
•Attack an opponent who is falling to the floor or is already on the floor, that is, as soon as one hand or knees touches the floor.
•Leave the ring without any permission.
•Continue after the command “stop” or “break” or the end of the round has been sounded. •Punching below the belt, hooking, tripping, and hitting with knees or elbows.
•Butting with the head, shoulders, forearms, and elbows, strangling the opponent, crushing his face with arm or elbow and pushing back the opponent.
•Hitting with open gloves, with the inside of the gloves or with a wrist.
•Hitting the opponent’s back, particularly on the nape of his neck, head and kidneys.
•Lying down, wrestling or not fighting at all.
•Attacking an opponent who is on the floor on getting up.
•Clinching without any reason.
•Hitting while hooking the opponent or pulling the opponent into the blow.

•Hooking or holding opponent’s arm or putting an arm underneath the arm of the opponent. •Suddenly lowering one’s head below opponent’s belt in a way that would be dangerous for the latter.
•Using artificial means for a passive defense and falling intentionally, in order to avoid a blow.
•“Spoiling”. Intentionally preventing your opponent from engaging you by moving around the ring or clinching your opponent in order to cut down on round time.
•Using insulting and aggressive language during a round.
•Refusing to withdraw after the order “BREAK”.
•Trying to land a blow on the opponent immediately after a “BREAK” order and before withdrawing.
•Assailing or insulting the referee at any time.
•Exiting the ring during the fighting

competition

•1st violation or exit – 1st. Violation Verbal & Point to Opponent. 2nd violation or exit – Point to Opponent 3rd violation or exit – Award penalty point & Disqualification

Violations of the rules and regulations will lead to warnings, point deductions and disqualification. Referees may warn, deduct points or disqualify a competitor at their discretion depending upon the severity or repetitive nature of the rule’s violation.
The following may lead to disqualification:

• Excessive contact resulting in an injury
• Repeatedly striking with excessive contact
• Uncontrolled or malicious attacks
• Excessive or continuous hitting after “stop” command
•

Extreme unsportsmanlike conduct of a fighter such as insulting the referee or the opponent • The coach or representative acts unprofessional or enters the ring

Injuries

The match should only be interrupted if an injury occurs. In the event of injury, time may only be interrupted until the doctor decides on the seriousness of the injury, that is, whether or not the fight can continue or whether it must be stopped. Treatment of the injury can only be done in between rounds or after the match. If the injury needs to be treated, the match must be stopped. In any case, cuts cannot be taped. If the match is stopped due to injury, the officials must decide: •Who/what caused the injury?

•Whether or not it was intentional. •Whether or not it was self-inflicted.

If the injury was not intentional and the injured fighter cannot continue fighting immediately, the uninjured fighter is declared the winner. If the injury is due to a violation of the rules, the responsible fighter is disqualified. If the injury is due to his own fault, the uninjured fighter is declared the winner.

Referees
The referee has the power to:

•Stop a fight at any moment if he finds it to be too one-sided.
•Stop a fight at any moment if one of the fighters has received an unauthorized blow or is wounded, or if he considers a fighter unable to continue.
•Stop a fight at any moment if he finds the fighters behaving in an “unsportsmanlike” manner. In such a case, he must disqualify one fighter.
•Warn a fighter or stop the bout and give a minus point or warning to a fighter for an offence. •Disqualify a coach or a second who has broken the regulations or the fighter himself if his coach or the second fails to obey to his orders.
•Disqualify, with or without a warning, a fighter who has committed an offence.
•Interpret the rules as long as they are applicable or compatible with the fight that is taking place, or, at a special moment, decide on a move which does not appear in the rules.
•If a fighter breaks the rules but does not necessarily deserve a disqualification, the referee must stop the fight and give a warning to the fighter of a foul. Before the warning, the referee must order the fighter to stop fighting. The warning must be given clearly, so that the fighter understands the reason and cause of the penalty. The referee must hand signal to each judge that a particular warning has been given and clearly show which fighter has been punished. After having given the warning, the referee orders the fighters to fight again. If a fighter has given three official warnings within the same bout, he is disqualified.
•A referee may give a caution to a fighter. A caution means a warning given by a referee to a fighter for breaking the rule. In order to do this he doesn’t need to stop the fight, and may reprimand the fighter during the fight.

The Referee has a responsibility to:

• Check the safety equipment and clothes of the fighters
• Make sure that the rules of fair play are strictly observed.
• Supervise the entire bout.
• Consider the merits of the two fighters and chose the winner according to the regulations.
• At the end of a bout, call for the decision by show of hands.

Judges

•Each judge must independently consider the merits of the two fighters and chose the winner according to the regulations.
•During the match, he will not talk to fighter, other judges, or anybody else, except for the referee.

• The demonstration of effective combination striking • the effectiveness of the fighters defense
• the variety of strikes used (hands and feet)
• excellent physical condition Negative Judges Criteria That Will Reduce a Fighters Points

• Warnings / penalties for rules violations
• “bulling”, or any effort to overpower an opponent rather than demonstrate superior skill
• lack of combination striking
• lack of variety in strikes (hands and feet)
• poor physical condition
Every close match is to be judged by the overall impression the fighter makes and not only by considering the points scored particularly regarding the variety of skills that each fighter has been effective with.

Protest A competitor has the right

to protest an infraction of the rules or if a possible error occurred, not a judgment call the arbitrator can be called if the center referee cannot reach a decision.