Kemi Waza (Rules for Scoring)

These are the three prime criteria for scoring during Kumite.

1. Criteria 1: Effectiveness enhancement by target areas
   • Head
   • Neck
   • Solar Plexus
   • Groin
   • Spine
   • Floating ribs and lung area
   • Kidneys
   • Side of torso
2. Criteria 2: Difficulty of technique
   • Simultaneous defence and counter-attack
   • High kicks
   • Hisa geri
   • Empi uchi
   • Take down and strike
   • Tobi geri
   • Inducing De-ai and strike
   • Combination technique (Awase-waza)
3. Criteria 3: Energy/effectiveness enhancement by circumstances
   • Obvious De-ai
   • Target is in a "no give" position on the ground
   • Extraordinary power (the truly rare kind)
   • Scoring ippon to more than one ippon target area

Footnotes:

Note 1

Difficult techniques must apply the principles of Waza, Ma, Ma-ai, Zanshin, Kime, Ki, Sundome

Note 2

At least one item from each criteria is mandatory for Kime-waza score

Note 3

If at least one item from any one criteria is not met, then Ippon is the highest score to be awarded if items from the other two criteria are met

Note 4

No Kime-waza score will be awarded unless all criteria are met

Note 5

The onus is on the competitor to demonstrate his superior technique in such a fashion that the panel of judges is not left to guess.