Competition Rules | ICKF

There is no need to memorise every category. Competition is organised into three lines by combat character, and each line is complete in five grades. Within each line, only one hazard element is released per grade.

The grade names are common to all three lines: Light → Standard → Advance → Expert → Full
Even across different lines, a grade of the same name occupies the same position. A grade determines which rules you fight under; it does not determine whom you meet — pairings are set by age division and weight class.

The line fought in a dogi. From KK1 upward, exactly one technique is added at each grade. The method of decision (Ippon / Waza-ari + flag decision) is the same at every grade.

KK1 full-contact karate → KK2 ＋gripping and throws → KK3 ＋punches to the face → KK4 ＋ground fighting → KK5 ＋no time limits

KK3 and above, where punches to the face are released, use Super Safe, which covers the whole face. In KK1 and KK2 every athlete wears a Chest Guard, regardless of sex. A Fist Guard and Shin Guards are worn at every grade.
On the ground, only strikes to the head are non-contact (sundome); the body and legs may be struck with contact, parallel to the floor only.

The standing line, fought in gloves. Punches to the face are permitted at every grade. There are no throws and no ground fighting. Elbows are prohibited at every grade.

KB1 & KB2 punches and kicks → KB3 ＋knees to the head → KB4 ＋clinch → KB5 ＋bare-faced

The sub-names of KB1 to KB3 are the names of competitions held by member organisations of the Federation. Duration, method of decision and permitted techniques are identical, so athletes move between those tournaments and Federation tournaments with the same preparation.
KB1 is the grade for a first bout: larger gloves and first-to-3-points mean it does not aim at knockout. KB2 permits the same techniques as KB1 — only the duration and the winning condition rise.
Athletes of U12 and below fit a Face Guard to the headgear. Gloves for U12 and below are 8 oz at 30 kg or under and 10 oz over 30 kg up to 40 kg, so that they fit the hand. Knee pads and leather Leg Guards are worn at every grade.

The line fought without a dogi, using striking, throws and ground fighting. Elbows are prohibited at every grade, and no time limit is placed on ground fighting.

MMA1 no strikes to the face → MMA2 ＋strikes to the face → MMA3 ＋ground-and-pound and leg locks → MMA4 ＋round system → MMA5 ＋bare-faced

MMA4 permits the same techniques as MMA3; only the round system is added. Downward ground-and-pound is prohibited — strikes are limited to a direction parallel to the floor. Heel hooks are prohibited at every grade.
No Face Guard is used in the MMA Line, because in grappling an opponent’s fingers or clothing may catch on it and apply twisting force to the neck. U12 and below may not apply chokes or joint locks; ground fighting is decided by hold-down.

All three lines share the same idea. The bout ends the moment it is decided; if it is not decided, points settle it. No award is made by speculating whether a strike “would have landed”.

A knockdown carries a ten count in all three lines. Even where the athlete rises earlier, the referee counts to 8 and confirms that they may continue. For U12 and below the bout ends on one knockdown, and no count is taken.
The times used in scoring, the priority order of the flag decision and other details are set out in Chapters 9 and 13 of the Competition Rules (PDF).

Risk cannot be reduced to zero in a combat sport. These rules are built around one principle: no impact to a head that cannot be defended. It is enforced by the rules themselves, not left to grit or self-reporting.

Fouls

Fouls accumulate within a bout regardless of type, and the fourth means disqualification. In the Karate Line fouls are not scored: where Waza-ari are equal, the athlete with fewer fouls wins. In Kickboxing and MMA they are processed as deductions.

Divisions (age)

Eight divisions: U6 / U8 / U10 / U12 / U14 / U16 / U18 / General (18 and over). “U” means “Under” and does not include that age (a 16-year-old is not in U16 but in U18). Age is the athlete’s age on the day of the tournament.

Classes

The Karate Line uses the Physical Index (height in cm + weight in kg); Kickboxing and MMA use weight classes. MMA follows the internationally common divisions, so athletes can compete both here and at other organisations’ and international events. All classes for U18 and below are in 5 kg steps, so that growing athletes are not made to cut weight.

On the day

Weigh-in closes 3 hours before the bouts. A medical check by the tournament doctor is mandatory, covering concussion history and current injuries. Written parental consent is required for minors.

The full list of prohibited techniques, every weight class, and the treatment of overweight and delay are all set out in the Competition Rules (PDF, 74 Articles).
All rules are subject to the “ICKF Competition Code” as the superior instrument.
Enacted and in force from 3 August 2026 (1st Edition)　International Combat Karate-do Federation
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