A.K.A. A national organising body for Amateur Kickboxing in England.
I.K.F. An International Sanctioning body for Championship Titles.


Official A.K.A. Rules for Amateur Kickboxing bouts.
(Updated 01/01/2012 )

1. ARMOUR / PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT:
2. CONTACT LEVEL REQUIRED - FOR POINTS TO SCORE:
3. TITLE BELTS / MEDALS
4 . CLASSIFICATION FOR LEVEL OF AMATEUR COMPETITORS:
5 . DRAW DECISIONS:
6 . REFEREE’s DECISION:
7 . SCORING SYSTEMS:
8. SCORE RESULTS:
9. TECHNIQUES - LEVEL OF CONTACT AND SCORING:
10 . TECHNIQUES - PUNCHES:
11. TECHNIQUES - KICKS:
12. TECHNIQUES - CLINCH HOLDING:
13. EIGHT COUNTS:
14. TWO KNOCKDOWN RULE:
15. T.K.O. DECISION - OUTCLASS RULE:
16. K.O DECISION:
17. MEDICAL SUSPENSION :
18. CORNERMEN RULES :
19. ROUNDS:
20. WEIGHT CATEGORIES:
21. WARNINGS:
22. DELAYED SCORING:
23. NO SWEEPS ALLOWED:
24. NO LEG HOLDING / LEG CATCHING:
25. ARMOR COLOUR:
26. CLOTHING UNDERNEATH THE BODYSHIELD:
27. JUDGES:
28. BOXING RING SIZE:
29. MEDICAL CHECK:
30 . WEIGHT CHECK:
31. INTENTIONAL TIME WASTING:
32. CRITERIA - STATUS:

1. ARMOUR / PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT:
Armour must always be worn by both competing athletes. This may only be a brand licenced by the sanctioning body. Currently the licence for A.K.A. Kickboxing events is held by the 'OKAMI-GEAR' Brand.

A. Headgear.
B. Bodyshield.
C. Shin Pads.
D . Boxing Gloves -
'---------------------When competing in weight classes below 60 Kgs = 14oz Gloves,
'---------------------When competing in weight classes above 60.0 Kgs = 16 oz Gloves
E. Elbow-Pads.
F. Gum Shields.
G. Groin Guards - Required for Men.

The A.K.A. will supply the equipment for each event, via the event sponsor should you not have your own, with the exception of F. Gumshields and G. Groin Guards.

2. CONTACT LEVEL REQUIRED - FOR POINTS TO SCORE:
During Senior level bouts ( Championship events ) for points to score, contact must be made with Medium or Full-Contact in order to be registered. Light contact techniques will not be scored.

3. TITLE BELTS / MEDALS:
During tournaments, Medals are awarded for 1st, 2nd, 3rd place as Gold, Silver & Bronze. Should a Gold Medalist also wish to have a Title Belt as an additional Trophy to show their status as a Champion, they may purchase one from the I.K.F.

Winning a Gold Medal, awards the status / title of Champion, which will can also be recognised with a title belt.

For a single bout Title Match ( non-tournament ) eg a European or a World Title, the winner is awarded a title belt.

4. CLASSIFICATIONS OF AMATEUR COMPETITORS:
The A.K.A. has two classification levels for Amateur Kickboxers.

1. Novice Level -............... 'Inter-Club Sparring-Day' Controlled Contact matches.

2. Senior Level - ...............A.K.A. Championships = Full-Contact K.O. strikes allowed.

5. DRAW DECISIONS:
In the event of a DRAW, another round will be contested, until a player gets the winning decision.

6. REFEREE’s DECISION:
The Referee decision on any matter is final! There will be no arguing with any decisions. During the martial arts competition players must not bring the sport into disripute.

7. SCORING SYSTEMS:
'Open Scoring' is the primary system to be followed for all A.K.A. Kickboxing events, as this follows the Olympic method. 'Open Scoring' will be shown to the audience, players and corner team during the events via the A.K.A. Electronic scoreboard display.

'Closed Scoring' is the secondary system that maybe followed for A.K.A. Kickboxing events. Scoring will still follow the same method, but only the Judges will see the scores via the A.K.A. hand tally counters. At the end of each round the Scores for both player will be announced to the Competitors, Officials and Audience.
This method is generally reserved should there be a problem during an event with the electronic system.

8. SCORE RESULTS:
Highest Score or T.K.O. will decide the winner. Anyone not happy with the result, may only raise an issue with the Chief Judge after the event and in private.

9. TECHNIQUES - LEVEL OF CONTACT AND SCORING:
NOVICE BOUTS - ( Inter-club Sparring-days ) To Score a technique must connect with Medium Contact only.

SENIOR BOUTS - ( Championship events ) To Score a technique must conntect with Medium or Full Contact.

Light contact techniques will be ignored by the Judges, as well as techniques that do not land cleanly, e.g. a hard low kick to the outer thigh that skims across the target area with the instep of the foot as opposed to connecting with a shin, will not score.

Important notes for the following techniques in particular:
Knees that do connect with a striking force behind it ( i.e. knee raises, knee touches ) will not score. Front Kicks that just touch an opponent, as opposed to striking and forcing an opponent backwards hence causing disruption to balance will not score.

10. TECHNIQUES - PUNCHES:
Authorised Punching Techniques -
Straight Punches, Hook Punches, Upper-Cut Punches, Flying Punches and Spinning Backfists are allowed.

One point scored for Punches connecting to the Face or areas of the Temple, Ears & Chin.
(No Score is awarded for punches delivered to the top of the Skull or to the back of the head).

One point scored for Punches to the body, ( but not when blocked on the arms ).

11. TECHNIQUES - KICKS:
Authorised Kicking Techniques -
Front-Kicks, Low-Kicks, Middle-Kicks, High-Kicks, Side-Kicks, Back-Kicks, Inner-Thigh-Kicks, Jumping-Kicks and Knee-Kicks.

Two Points Scored for Kicks connecting to the Head.
Two Points Scored for Kicks connecting to the Legs.
Two Points Scored for Kicks connecting to the Body.
(No Score is awarded when kicks are blocked / taken / covered on the arms ).

Note: No Knee-Kicks are allowed to the head.


12. TECHNIQUES - CLINCH HOLDING:
Players Clinch-Holding will be seperated, once no Knee-Kicks are being delivered. The maximum time allowed for the clinch hold is THREE seconds, to reduce spoiling and to encourage action.

13. EIGHT COUNTS:
If an Eight Count is given. The player that caused the count is awarded 20 additional points.
If the 20 Points awarded result in a Player leading by 30 Points or more a T.K.O. by outclass will immediately be brought into effect to enhance safety levels for the competitors - see rule 16.

14. TWO KNOCKDOWN RULE:
The issuing of an Eight Count, is classed as a Knockdown ( including when Standing Eight Count is given ) . Two Knockdowns in a single round results in an early stoppage by K.O. This is to enhance safety levels for the competitors.

15. T.K.O. DECISION - OUTCLASS RULE:
T.K.O. given when a player trails by 30 points on the score counter at the end of a round, or following an eight count. This known as an 'Outclass', as is to enhance the safety levels of competing for Players.

T.K.O. can be obtained by winding an opponent who cannot continue after an Eight Count.

16. K.O DECISION:
K.O. given when inflicting two 8 counts to an opponent.
K.O. given when a competitor withdraws from a bout.
K.O. given when a trainer withdraws a competitor from a bout.
K.O. given when a competitor can no longer continue due to a technique delivered by his opponent.


17. MEDICAL SUSPENSION :
T.K.O. Loss = Suspended from A.K.A. Kickboxing competitons for 90 Days.
K.O. Loss - Suspended from A.K.A. Kickboxing competitons for 180 Days.

18. CORNERMEN RULES :
Only 2 cornermen allowed per competitor.
No swearing or encouraging aggresive behaviour will be allowed.
Cornermen must be seated on chairs during the contests.
There will be only one warning for cornermen conduct. Upon breaking these rules a second time, 20 points will be awarded to the opposing competitors score.
Upon a Third Warning a competitor will be disqualified, and could also be suspended for upto 12 months from A.K.A.competitions. Rules are to be strictly followed, to ensure the safety of the competitors - see rule 23.
.
19. ROUNDS:

Novice Rules : ( Inter-Club Sparring-Day ). ME
Novice Bout = 2 rounds x 90 seconds

Senior Rules A.K.A. Tournament Championships - English Title
Senior Bout = 3 rounds x 90 seconds

Senior Rules A.K.A. Tournament Championships - British Title
Senior Bout = 3 rounds x 120 seconds

Note : Single bout ( non-tournament ) Title match = 4 rounds x 120 seconds

20. WEIGHT CATEGORIES:
During A.K.A. Kickboxing events, women have 5 weight divisions, from Featherweight to Middleweight. Men have 10 weight divisions, from Featherweight to Super-Heavyweight.

----------------------------------------------------
-------- Weight Class -------------Max Weight-------------------
--------------------------------------------------------
Super-Heavyweight - ----( ---+ 95.0 Kgs--- )-
Heavyweight----------------- ( 95.0 Kgs MAX )

Super-Cruiserweight ----( 90.0 Kgs MAX ) -
Cruiserweight--------------- ( 85.0 Kgs MAX )

Super-Middleweight------( 85.0 Kgs MAX )
Middleweight ----------------( 75.0 Kgs MAX )

Super-Welterweight -----( 70.0 Kgs MAX )
Welterweight ------------ ---( 65.0 Kgs MAX )

Lightweight----------------- ( 60.0 Kgs MAX )
Featherweight ------------- ( 55.0 Kgs MAX )


21. WARNINGS:
Rule Infringements ( Fouls )
Warnings will be given for fouls. Upon a second Warning being issued by the Referee, a Yellow Card will be issued. The Players opponent will then be awarded 20 additional points - Note, if this results in their score leading by 30 Points or more, they will win the match. Upon a Third Warning a Player will be Disqualified, and could also be suspended for upto 12 months from A.K.A. Kickboxing competitions. Rules are to be strictly followed, to ensure player safety.

22. DELAYED SCORING:
If a point is registered after the bell by the electronic score board, This point will be included as the final score of a player.

23. NO SWEEPS ALLOWED:
No Sweeps are allowed. This technique is regarded as a foul.

24. NO LEG HOLDING / LEG CATCHING:
In order to enhance safety, a second warning will result in a 20 Point Penalty, (20 Points being awarded to the opponent) and a check for a lead by Outclass - which could result in a T.K.O. loss. Defence against Kicks is either by blocking techniques or evasion as this is a ‘Stand-Up’ Martial Arts Competition.

25. ARMOUR COLOUR:
All Competitors must wear a matching set of Armour, i.e. Headgear, Gloves, Bodyshield, Shinpads, Arm-Guards - and this must be just one colour.

A Competitors Armour must not be the same colour as that of an opponent.

26. CLOTHING WORN UNDERNEATH THE BODYSHIELD:
No clothing is to be worn underneath the bodyshield, ( vests or t-shirts etc ), unless you are female, and in this case a Sports Bra Top is reccomended.

27. JUDGES:
Each school that enters Competitors into A.K.A. competitions must also provide a person to act as a Judge. These Judges will then be rotated between the attending schools to ensure unbiased and neutral scoring.

28. BOXING RING SIZE:
All A.K.A. matches must take place in an 18ft x 18ft ring. This is to enhance safety as a larger competition area will allow more movement for competitors.

29. MEDICAL CHECK:
All Players must undertake a Medical check before competing, and must have their toes nails clipped with no sharp points protruding.

30. WEIGHT CHECK:
All Players must have a weight check on the day of the competition. During the weigh in, all players must wear their competition shorts and a training vest or T-shirt.

31. TIME WASTING:
It is accepted that there may need to be a temporary break in action, should any safety equipment need to be altered or replaced.
Should the Referee decide that this is being caused intensionally by a Player, then he may rule this to be a foul and issue a warning.

A.K.A. Rules : 32. AMATEUR STATUS:

DEFINITIONS

A.K.A. Criteria : A martial arts / combat sports bout will be classed as a Professional contest if the competitors get paid.

The A.K.A. has two divisions that are open at the 2012 Tournament Championships.

ENGLISH TITLES = 3 Rounds x 90 seconds.
Only competitors that have competed at 'Controlled-Contact' Interclub-Sparring days may compete in this division.

BRITISH TITLES = 3 Rounds x 120 seconds.
Competitors that have competed under 'Full-Contact' or 'N' Class or 'C' Class Thai/Kickboxing may compete in this division.

Anyone that has competed at 'B' class or 'A' class will not be allowed to compete.