The rules a referee actually applies.
The World Karate Federation's kumite competition rules, quoted clause by clause. This is sport regulation with an effective date and a governing body — a separate subject from the Shotokan you train in the dojo, and this page keeps them separate.
What scores.
YUKO (1 point) is awarded for TSUKI (straight punch) or UCHI (strike) to a scoring area. WAZA ARI (2 points) is awarded for CHUDAN kicks. IPPON (3 points) is awarded for JODAN kicks or any legal technique against an opponent whose any part of the body other than the feet is in contact with the mat, with the exception of HIZA GAMAE (One knee touching the mat while executing a technique).
WKF Kumite Competition Rules 2026.01, 8.6
All six, or none.
A technique that lands is not automatically a technique that scores. The rules set six criteria and require every one of them — which is why a fast, clean strike delivered at the wrong distance is waved off.
In order to be considered a score, the technique must have the potential to be effective if it had not been controlled, and must also fulfil the criteria of: 1) Good form (Properly executed technique). 2) Sporting attitude (Delivered without intent to cause injury). 3) Vigorous application (Delivery with speed and power). 4) Maintaining awareness of the opponent both during and after execution of the technique (Not turning away or falling down after completing a technique — unless the fall is caused by a foul by the opponent). 5) Good timing (Delivery of the technique at the correct moment). 6) Correct distance (Delivery at a distance where the technique would be effective). In order to be a valid score, a technique has to fulfil all the six scoring criteria.
WKF Kumite Competition Rules 2026.01, 8.5
Scoring
- 8.1
When a score is awarded
A score is awarded to an Athlete when two or more judges indicate a score or when the Video Review Judge agrees on a score after a Coach has raised a Video Request.
- 8.2
What scores
Points are scored by a traditional karate technique with the hand or foot executed with control to the scoring area.
- 8.3
First technique of an exchange
Only the first correctly executed technique of an exchange will score, with the exception of an effective combination of techniques, in which case the highest scoring technique will count regardless of the sequence of techniques in the combination.
- 8.4
Scoring areas
The scoring areas are the body above the pelvis, up to and including the collarbone (CHUDAN), excluding the junction of the upper bone of the arm with the shoulder blades and collarbones, and the area above the collarbone (JODAN).
- 8.5
The six scoring criteria
In order to be considered a score, the technique must have the potential to be effective if it had not been controlled, and must also fulfil the criteria of: 1) Good form (Properly executed technique). 2) Sporting attitude (Delivered without intent to cause injury). 3) Vigorous application (Delivery with speed and power). 4) Maintaining awareness of the opponent both during and after execution of the technique (Not turning away or falling down after completing a technique — unless the fall is caused by a foul by the opponent). 5) Good timing (Delivery of the technique at the correct moment). 6) Correct distance (Delivery at a distance where the technique would be effective). In order to be a valid score, a technique has to fulfil all the six scoring criteria.
- 8.6
The scale of points
YUKO (1 point) is awarded for TSUKI (straight punch) or UCHI (strike) to a scoring area. WAZA ARI (2 points) is awarded for CHUDAN kicks. IPPON (3 points) is awarded for JODAN kicks or any legal technique against an opponent whose any part of the body other than the feet is in contact with the mat, with the exception of HIZA GAMAE (One knee touching the mat while executing a technique).
- 8.7
Contact to chudan
Techniques to the CHUDAN area may be delivered with controlled impact without causing injury to the opponent. A loss of breath by the recipient of a blow does not in itself indicate lack of control.
- 8.8
Distance to jodan
Techniques to the JODAN area can score when stopped within 5 cm of the target for kicks and 2 cm for hand techniques, but may be delivered with light touch (skin touch), without causing impact, with the exception of the throat area, where no physical contact is allowed. For Cadet and U14 competitions, techniques to the JODAN area can score when stopped within 10 cm of the target for kicks and 5 cm for hand techniques, but may be delivered with light touch (skin touch), without causing impact.
- 8.9
Skin touch
"Skin touch" is allowed in all age categories. "Skin touch" is defined as touching the target without transferring energy into the protected helmet or head of the Athlete.
- 8.10
Techniques at time-up
Correctly executed techniques landed at the moment the time runs out are valid. When using electronic judging, points must be signalled within 1.5 seconds of time expiring.
- 8.11
When a technique is invalid
A technique is invalid if: a) Executed after the time-up signal or the Referee calling "YAME". b) Executed upon or after "WAKARETE" before "TSUZUKETE" has been called. c) Executed when the performer is outside the competition area (JOGAI). d) Followed by a foul of excessive contact or otherwise causing injury. e) One turns one's back to the opponent after a technique (lack of awareness). f) It is executed after a violation of the rules (such as excessive contact, holding, grabbing, etc.) meaning that one cannot use a foul to create the opening for a score.
Prohibited behaviour
- 9.1.1
Prohibited behaviour
The following behaviours are prohibited: 1) Techniques that make excessive contact, having regard to the scoring area attacked, and techniques that make contact with the throat. 2) Attacks to the arms, legs, groin, joints, or instep. 3) Attacks to the face with open-hand techniques. 4) Techniques executed after "WAKARETE" and before "TSUZUKETE" have been called. 5) Dangerous or forbidden throwing techniques. 6) Feigning or exaggerating injury. 7) Exit from the competition area (JOGAI) not caused by the opponent or following a score. 8) Self-endangerment by indulging in behaviour that exposes the Athlete to injury by the opponent, or failing to take adequate measures for self-protection (MUBOBI). 9) Avoiding combat as a means of preventing the opponent from having the opportunity to score. 10) Passivity — not attempting to engage in combat (Cannot be given in the first 15 seconds of the bout, after there are less than 15 seconds left of the bout, or to someone having a lead by points or SENSHU). 11) Clinching, wrestling, pushing, or standing chest to chest without attempting a scoring technique or takedown. 12) Grabbing the opponent with both hands for any reason other than executing a takedown upon catching the opponent's kicking leg. 13) Grabbing the opponent's arm or Karategi with one hand without immediately attempting a scoring technique or takedown. 14) Techniques, which by their nature, cannot be controlled for the safety of the opponent and dangerous and uncontrolled attacks. 15) Simulated or actual attacks with the head, knees, or elbows. 16) Kicking techniques against a downed opponent who is lying flat on the floor. 17) Talking to, or goading the opponent, failing to obey the orders of the Referee, discourteous behaviour towards the Refereeing officials, or other violations of etiquette.
- 9.1.2
Scoring then exiting
An Athlete who delivers a scoring technique and then exits the area before the Referee calls "YAME" will be given the value of the score and JOGAI will not be imposed. If the Athlete's attempt to score is unsuccessful, the exit will be recorded as a JOGAI.
The competition area
- 1.1
Competition area
The competition area will be a WKF Approved matted square with sides of eight metres (measured from the outside) with the mats in the outer one-metre area in another colour marking the boundary, and there will be a 2 metres safety area surrounding the competition area.
Kumite is older than the rulebook.
Gohon, kihon ippon and jiyu ippon kumite are teaching progressions, not competition formats. They answer a different question — how a student learns distance, timing and commitment against a partner — and they long predate any scoring table.