Shobu Sanbon rules?

[Aodhan]

Hello all-

I am a TKD practitioner (2nd degree in the ATA), and I am considering competing in the Grand Canyon (Az) State games this summer. I will definitely be competing in kata, very possibly kobudo, and I am considering the kumite. It is a traditional Japanese/Okinawan Karate tournament, although any tradition can enter.

Our sparring is basically "tag" styled sparring, with foot/hand, chest and head gear, however I have sparred in WTF style (Olympic), and I started originally in Shotokan (For about a year total.)

I have been trying to find what constitutes points under 3 point Shobu Sanbon rules, and am confused as to what would constitute an actual point. Can anyone provide an explanation or a good link?

Aodhan

[karategirl06]

Good Luck in the tournment and SRY I dont have any links!

[Grenadier]

Rules will vary with different rankings.

Assuming that you are competing in the advanced divisions, the rules are as follows:

Punches or kicks to the front torso or ribs, are worth a waza-ari (1/2 point).

Various punches to the head, where there would normally be hair (not facial hair) are worth a waza-ari. In general, a closed fist technique is OK (punch, hammer strike, backfist), but the only open hand techniques that are allowed are ridge hand strikes.

Light hand or foot contact to the face is allowed, but you had better demonstrate good control, or else the ref can call it a foul instead.

Generally, a clean kick that exhibits good control, and hits the head, is worth an ippon (full point).

If your opponent falls, or if you sweep him, and you follow up with a scoring technique, you'll get an ippon (full point).

If you throw a combination, and land two or more clean techniques, the referees can give you an ippon or waza-ari, depending on your execution, etc.

Light groin contact is usually allowed at this level, assuming that everyone is wearing protective gear. Light contact is worth a waza-ari, hard contact is a foul.

Most such tournaments will give a waza-ari for a kick or punch to the back, but the spinal or renal (kidney) areas are off-limits.

If you land a most magnificient technique, such as a strong reverse punch that totally catches your opponent off-guard, display excellent power, and excellent control, then the referee has the discretion to call the match in your favor, and end it, regardless of the score. Rare, but it does happen.

Sweeps to the legs are acceptable, but you cannot sweep higher than the calf level, otherwise they'll call a foul. Note: the sweep itself will not score you a point. You must still follow through with a scoring technique to score. However, as I stated above, if you sweep your opponent, catch him off balance, and then land a good punch, the referee will often times give you an ippon instead of a waza-ari.

If your opponent falls (whether by being swept or by slipping), you have three seconds to attack. If you land a scoring attack, you'll always get the ippon.

First person to three points wins.

[hedkikr]

Fouls:

Any excessive contact (EC) can be either a warning, 1/2 point to your opponent, full point to your opponent or disqualification.

The first foul for EC doesn't necessarily have to be a warning. It can be whatever the Referee deems is appropriate based on your opponent's ability to continue fighting. So EC can progress as follow: W - 1/2 pt - 1 pt - DC...or W - 1 pt - DC...or 1 pt - DC...or DC.

Other fouls include Jogai (stepping out of bounds), Mubobi (turning your back/undefendable), attacks to legs, running away/stalling, discourteous speech/behavior to opponent/officials & mabe others I've forgotten. These fouls will also accumulate as EC.

If you are knocked down, you have 10 seconds to regain your feet or forfeit the match (opponent may be DC'd). If you tecnically "win" the match due to opponents DC, you may be allowed to fight in the next round or prohibitted. If so, you renounce/forfeit that match.

That's about all I can remember. Good luck.

[Aodhan]

Thanks for the input, all!

I've yet to decide if I want to do the kumite, it's pretty dissimilar to our "tag" sport style. Unfortunately.

However, pain is temporary, glory is forever, and chicks dig scars, right?

I'm definitely doing kata and kobudo, I'll let you all know how everything comes out.

Aodhan

[aefibird]

Good luck with the tournament.

[kumitekyle187]

Shobu Sanban rules go as follows

A HALF-POINT

punch to the body

punch to the head and face

kick to the body (sidekicks dont usually score on offense)

ridgehand to the head (scores sometimes but not always)

A FULL-POINT

kick to the head

a good clean defensive reverse punch

a defensive sidekick (not always but a lot of times)

good hard defensive kicks to the body in general

a foot check followed immediatley by a clean punch or kick to body or head

a sweep/takedown followed up by a scoring technique

PENALTIES

anything to the groin NO CONTACT TO THE GROIN

too hard contact to face or head

going out of bounds

holding on to an opponent for to long (such as holding their gi to try and score)

that is pretty much the basic for SANBON kumite if you have any questions feel free to ask

-kyle

[Muaythaiboxer]

its tag style so why not compete in sparing its not like its going to be dangerouse or even very painful, go ahead and compete in sparing and good luck.

AMITABHA