Rules

Online Registration for Saturday, March 25th Tournament

South Plantation High School 1300 SW 54th Ave Plantation, FL 33317

754.234.4142

Welcome to STRIKE FIRST CHAMPIONSHIP MMA Competition for ages 5 & up!

ISKA Sport Kickboxing Rules

*ISKA SPORT KICKBOXING RULES SUBJECT TO CHANGE Download Kickboxing Rules in PDF Format

DEFINITION

Competition should be executed as its name implies, Light Contact Fighting in a Continuous Manner. Under no circumstances should light contact continuous fighting simulates full contact kickboxing.

Utilizing well-controlled techniques, ring craftsmanship and combination skills, competitors should attempt to “outscore” rather than “overpower” their opponent. Competitors will fight continuously until the referee’s command to STOP. All techniques must be well controlled. Techniques should not “strike through” or “push through” the target. Striking with excessive contact, or uncontrolled striking of any kind will lead to disqualification.

Emphasis must be placed on both punching and kicking techniques. Punching or “boxing” only, for an extended period of time without throwing kicks will downgrade the judge’s evaluation of your performance.

Each match is carried out with running time. The referee and judges will evaluate the relative effectiveness of each fighter based on the number, quality and variety of scoring strikes, defense and conditioning. Rules violations (whether penalized by the referee or not) will downgrade the judges evaluation of the offending fighter. The three officials will determine the winner of each match by majority decision.

Equipment Needed:

Adult divisions: head protection, mouth-guard, 10oz gloves or larger, groin protection, shin/instep guards.
Teen & Junior divisions: head protection, mouth-guard, 10oz gloves or larger, groin protection, shin/instep guards.
Shorts or Pants and shirt or Martial Arts Uniform must be worn.

Time and Rounds

Adults: Two (2) – Two (2) minute rounds with a 30 second break.
Teen & Junior competitors (17 and below) will contest Two (2), 1 minute 30 second rounds with a 30 second break.
There will be a Four (4) Minute rest period between the Semi Final match and the Final Match. If a competitor is unable to begin the final match after Four (4) minutes, he/she will lose by forfeit.

Weight Divisions and Weigh-in Procedures

See ‘Divisions’ listing on website and in event program.

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

Legs – Inside and outside (above knee)

Feet – only for sweeping

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 of time 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 may only 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, downgrading in the judges evaluation and/or disqualification.

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
All kind of fighting punches
Backfist (Not Spinning Back Fist )

FOOT, LEG TECHNIQUES:

Front kick
Sidekick
Roundhouse kick
Heel kick (sole of the foot only)
Crescent kick
Axe kick (sole of the foot only)
Jump kicks

THROWING TECHNIQUES:

Foot sweeps (foot to foot – ankle/foot level only)

KNEE STRIKES

Knee strikes are allowing only in the adult divisions
Competitors may clinch and throw one (1) knee strike and then must release. Throwing multiple knees and not letting go of the clinch will result in point deductions and/or disqualification

CLINCHING

Adult competitors may only clinch to throw one (1) knee strike

Illegal Target Areas, Prohibited Techniques and Prohibited Behavior

Any technique not listed as legal above, or striking any target not listed as legal above, including, but not limited to the following

It is prohibited to:

Attack the throat, lower abdomen, kidneys, back, 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.
Oil the face or body.
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 down 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 – Verbal caution
2nd violation or exit – Official warning
3rd violation or exit – Disqualification

Violations of the rules and regulations will lead to cautions, warnings, and/or disqualification. Referees may warn penalize a competitor at their discretion depending upon the severity or repetitive nature of the rules violation.

The Center Referee is the arbiter of the rules. If he perceives that a violation has occurred he has the discretion to issue one of the following:

A Caution

A “Caution” may be issued without stopping the action of the fight.

An Official Warning

An “Official Warning” is issued by stopping action of the fight. The “Official Warning” indicates that if the referee has to stop the match again for the same or a similar infraction the offending athlete will be disqualified.

A Disqualification

A “Disqualification” awards the match to the offending fighter’s opponent.

The referee has the discretion to use Cautions, Warnings and Disqualification according to the severity of the offense. A fighter does not have to be Cautioned in order to receive an Official Warning. Nor does he have to receive an Official Warning prior to being Disqualified.

The following may lead to immediate 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

Injuries

The match should 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 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 may be disqualified.

If the injury is due to his own fault, the uninjured fighter is declared the winner.

Referees Powers and Responsibilities:

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 “unsportsman-like” 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.

Judges Scoring System

Every round is separately evaluated by each of the judges according to a positive criteria that will gain a fighter points and negative criteria that will deduct points:

Positive Judges Criteria (That Will Earn a Fighter Credit towards Victory)

clean and controlled scoring punches and kicks
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 Credit towards Victory)

Rules Violations whether cautioned or warned by the referee or not
Cautions and/or Warning by the referee 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

ISKA Sport MMA Rules

*ISKA SPORT MMA RULES SUBJECT TO CHANGE Download Sport MMA Rules in PDF Format

BASIC DESCRIPTION

ISKA SPORT MMA is a mixed martial arts sparring competition. It may best be viewed as a light contact version of MMA. ISKA Sport MMA provides competitors with an opportunity to use many of the same techniques associated with MMA, including; strikes, throws, shoots, grappling and submissions applied safely with light or semi-contact. This will be strictly enforced (no damaging strikes or slams). The format for our Sport MMA competition is additionally designed to allow each and every competitor the opportunity to gain as much experience as possible. In order to achieve this, we have instituted a “best of three, tap out” rule (explained below).

Each match begins with two competitors starting from the stand-up position. Light contact strikes combined with good foot-work may be used to control the action, score, or close the gap for a shoot or takedown. If the match goes to the ground, grappling, submissions and light contact striking to legal targets come into play. The goal is to either outscore your opponent with legal, light contact strikes and/or to obtain submissions over your opponent.

EXPLAINING THE BEST OF THREE, SUBMISSION RULE

If FIGHTER A obtains a submission over FIGHTER B, it is recorded on the score sheet and the match gets restarted from the stand-up position.

FIGHTER B must now obtain a submission over FIGHTER A in order to have a chance at winning the match. Regardless of how effective FIGHTER B is for the rest of the match, if he/she does not score a submission over FIGHTER A, then he/she will lose even if he/she is the superior technical competitor, gains more points for striking or outclasses FIGHTER A for the duration of the bout.

If FIGHTER B can score a submission over FIGHTER A (draw even in submissions), the match will again be restarted from the stand-up position. If time elapses and neither fighter has an advantage in the number of submissions, then the match will be evaluated based on the relative merit of the clean, controlled striking, effective grappling technique and ring control.

Two submissions over any fighter in a match ends the bout immediately.

So, the final outcome of each match is determined by:

If a fighter scores two submissions over their opponent, he/she automatically wins.
If either fighter has an advantage in submissions (1-0) at the end of the match, he/she wins.
If there is no advantage in submissions (0-0 or 1-1), the bout is decided by a poll of the judges who will evaluate the action according to the criteria listed above.

REQUIRED EQUIPMENT:

ISKA approved combined shin and instep protectors.
ISKA approved gloves
Mouth Guard
Groin Protector (males)
Shorts
Shirt / Rash guards
Knee & elbow pads are not permitted. Neither is strapping of any kind which can cause grip advantage.
No “grease” (Vaseline) is allowed to be applied to any part of the fighter.
No shoes are allowed.
HYGIENE RULE: All competitors must be bathed and have clean apparel and equipment. If a referee feels this criteria has not been met, he will not allow the competitor to participate.

LEGAL STRIKES – HANDS:

All hand strikes that occur with the padded part of the glove executed in a controlled fashion (light or touch-contact only. The strike cannot penetrate or distort the target).
Punches are allowed to the body and legs while on the ground only in adult divisions
Fighters can “push off” opponents.
No elbow strikes are allowed at any time to any part of the body or face.
Strikes to the head are not allowed while on the ground.
Striking to the kidney area, behind the head or neck is not permitted.

LEGAL STRIKES – LEGS, KNEES & FEET:

All kicking techniques are allowed with light/touch contact to the front and side of the body above the belt, and light contact roundhouse kicks are allowed to the legs. NO linear kicks are allowed directed to the legs.
Light/touch contact knee strikes are allowed to the body and legs in adult divisions only while standing.
All low kicks must be minimum 6 inches above the knee and all other kicks, above the waist.
No kicking to opponents is allowed once the match goes to ground by either of the competitors.

SHOOTS, CLINCHES & TAKE DOWNS:

Competitors have five (5) seconds to take their opponent down once they have grabbed their opponent.
Any attempt at executing a takedown or Shoot must be done so with the primary motive to go to ground as quickly as possible. Once any kind of standing clinch is engaged, each fighter will have up to five seconds (in the referee’s estimation) to take the match to the ground. If the takedown does not occur the referee will “break” the fighters and restart the action. Any attempt to walk with the lifted opponent or raise the opponent higher off the ground than is deemed necessary to execute a safe take down will be considered a serious foul with a high probability of immediate disqualification. No exception to this rule will be allowed under any circumstance.
No “spearing” or dive tackling is permitted.
No scissors takedowns are permitted, unless a hand is first placed on the mat.
All shoots must be premeditated and followed up with at least a guard mount or attempt to pass the guard. Shooting or taking down of opponent without an attempt to follow up will be met with one and only one caution.
If a fighter attempts a shoot / takedown and is not immediately successful, the referee may at his discretion “break” the fighters. “Standing Clinches” will be allowed for only a short period (up to 5 seconds in the referee’s estimation), and only if either fighter appears to be scoring effectively in some way or making progress towards a takedown.
If a fighter is scoring effectively with strikes, and his opponent “walks through” the strikes in order to clinch, the clinching fighter must immediately take his opponent down or the referee will “break” the fighters and restart the action.
You may not execute any takedown in a way that damages your opponent either in the way the takedown was executed or by intentionally landing on top of them in a manner to use your body weight to do injury.
Hip throws are permitted.
All prevention necessary must be taken to not allow your opponent to fall on his or her/head or attempt to drop the opponent on the back of their neck or head as the fall to the ground.
You are allowed to pull opponent towards you when going to ground.

GRAPPLING – SUBMISSIONS & LOCKS:

It is VERY important that all competitors understand how to “Tap Out” when caught in a submission technique. Tapping out can be done either verbally or through a physical tap. Competitors can tap with their hands, feet, or even a nod of the head. This “Tapping” is a conscious admission of surrender to an opponent.

GROUND ACTIVITY RULE: Once the contest goes to the ground both fighters must show continuous effort to significantly advance their positions or take advantage of their position by either scoring with legal strikes or trying to secure a submission. Failure to significantly advance or take advantage of their position will result in having the match “stood up” and re-started.

ALL SUBMISSION TECHNIQUES are legal for adults with the following exception; No twisting neck cranks or angled leg/foot/ankle locks or small joint manipulation (Fingers and toes).

SPECIAL RULES FOR KIDS & TEENS: No heel hooks, toeholds, slamming, or neck cranks are allowed. No straight ankle locks where the leg crosses the body (reaping of knee). No squeezing the legs around an opponent’s torso (from guard, back, or side) as a submission. No scissor takedown is permitted, whether a hand is on the ground or not.
SPECIAL RULE FOR KIDS: Submission techniques may be restricted or prohibited based on age division. This will shift the judges evaluation emphasis to clean striking, wrestling and control. A referee may also “call a submission” immediately when it appears that a legitimate submission lock is engaged (the referee does not need to wait for the youth fighter to “tap”)

OTHER FOULS: Fighters are not allowed to grab and use their opponents’ clothing. Attacks to the front of the windpipe (i.e. finger in throat), eyes (elbows, palms, fingers, etc.) or groin. No pushing the palm or elbow directly into the nose. No dropping or slamming an opponent on his head. No slamming from the Guard position. eye gouging, fish hooking, biting, hair pulling, pinching, twisting of skin, sticking a finger into an opponent’s cut, small joint manipulation (finger or toe locks), and putting a finger into any orifice are all FOULS and grounds for disqualification. No interference by a corner with any official or fighter. No throwing an opponent off the mat. No unsportsmanlike conduct. The Boston Crab technique is not allowed. Any intentional use of an illegal technique or act of poor sportsmanship will result in the immediate ejection of those competitors/spectators.
The referee reserves the right to stop any attempt at any submission or lock, listed and un listed at any time of the match should he deem any such technique to be considered dangerous in any way but not restricted to the effect it has on an opponent. In other words while the attempt is being made to secure any technique which could be deemed as unsafe.
The referee may “declare a submission” if he believes that it is necessary in order to protect a fighter’s safety or if he believes that a downed fighter is in a compromised position that he cannot or chooses not to try to escape from. (example: if the bottom fighter in a full mount position does not try to escape the referee may declare a submission)

LENGTH OF MATCH:

ALL JUNIORS & TEENS: Two 1.5 minute rounds (with a thirty second rest).

ADULT BEG/ INT: Two 2 minute rounds (with a thirty second rest).

BEGINNER: One year of training or less.

INTERMEDIATE: Two (2) – Three (3) years of training.

ADULT ADV: Two 3 minute rounds (with a thirty second rest).

ADVANCED: More than Four (4) years of training

• There will be a Four (4) Minute rest period between the Semi Final match and the Final Match. If a competitor is unable to begin the final match after Four (4) minutes, he/she will lose by forfeit.

During the match, if there is stalling on the ground, the referee has the right to restart the match standing. If the competitors go off the mat, the match can be stopped by the referee, and the competitors will be moved to the middle of the ring/mat in the same position, if that position can be determined by the referee. The referee has the right to stop time and check the condition of the fighters.

LEGAL TARGET AREAS: Ribs, chest, abdomen & legs (above knees).

ILLEGAL TARGET AREAS: Face/Head, spine, back of neck/Head, throat, sides of the neck, Kidneys, groin, knees and back.

NON-TARGET AREAS: Hips, shoulders, buttocks, arms, and feet.

LEGAL TECHNIQUES: As described above. Legal techniques are all “controlled” martial arts techniques, except those listed as illegal.

ILLEGAL TECHNIQUES: Head butts, hair pulls, bites, scratches, elbows, knees (Juniors), eye attacks of any kind, stomps, kicks to a downed competitor, slapping, uncontrolled blind techniques, any uncontrolled throws, takedowns or sweeps with the intention of slamming the opponent to the ground or landing with excessive force on top of opponent and any other uncontrolled dangerous techniques that are deemed unsafe in Sport Martial Arts.

GRABBING: Is allowed but no pulling on any part of the shorts/pants, shirt or gloves worn by any competitor.

SWEEPS, TAKEDOWNS, GRABS AND GROUND SPARRING: Sweeps to take down an opponent, to obstruct the balance so as to follow up with a technique is allowed. A sweep must be deemed a proper and safe sweep to be legal. Controlled sweeps that are meant to take down an opponent are allowed only on a declared approved padded surface.

LIGHT TOUCH CONTACT: Means there is no penetration or visible movement of the competitor as a result of the contact. The face is a legal target area whilst stand up fighting is in play.

MODERATE TOUCH CONTACT: Means slight penetration or slight target movement.

WARNINGS AND PENALTIES: The referee will at his discretion issue cautions, warnings, penalties and or disqualification for rules infractions. An official penalty will have the same effect on the bout as a submission.

If, in the opinion of the referee and/or the medical personnel, a competitor cannot continue because of an injury caused by an illegal penalized attack executed by his/her competitor, the offending competitor shall be automatically disqualified.

Other Cause for Penalization: Attacking illegal and non-target areas, using illegal techniques, running out of the ring to avoid competing, Preventing your opponent from initiating combat, continuing after being ordered to stop, excessive stalling, blind, negligent or reckless attacks, uncontrolled techniques, showing unsportsmanlike behaviour by the competitor, his/her coaches, friends, etc., excessive contact, and delay of time are examples of possible penalization.

Non-Competing Penalty: If, in the majority opinion of the officials, it is considered that the competitors are not making an obvious attempt to compete in the true spirit of competition, both competitors will be warned and if it continues, will be disqualified.

Wrong Division: If any competitor competes in a division he/she does not qualify to compete in due to age, weight, rank, gender, style, etc. (sandbagging), he/she will risk disqualification.

COACHING: Competitors are allowed to have One (1) coach in their corner during their match.

Never, at any time, can a coach enter the ring without the referee’s permission, 2. No abusive, violent, unsportsmanlike or overzealous coaching; 3. Coaches cannot ask for a time out (only the competitor may ask for a time out), 4. Coaches can never, at any time, interfere with the proper running of the ring or the decisions of the judges. A Coach is defined as anyone who is trying to help one competitor in anyway. A coach could be but is not limited to a friend, parent, team mate or official coach. The referee can issue a warning, deduct points or disqualify a competitor for his/her coach interfering with a match or disrupting fair play between contestants.