K-1 'style' Kickboxing Format..

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

All A.K.A. titles are co-sanctioned through the I.K.F.

A.K.A. 'Junior' Rules were established to support the push to gain Olympic recognition for Kickboxing. A.K.A. 'Junior' Rules allow NO HEAD-CONTACT. The techniques of Kicks & Punches & Knee strikes are only allowed to the body and legs. This format gives Children the experience of competing, but under very strict safety criteria. Bouts contested with NO HEAD-CONTACT are commonly referred to in Japan as KNOCKDOWN matches. Should a competitor be knocked down for 5 seconds or more then a competitor loses a match ( for example due to kicks to the leg, or being winded by a knee to the body ). Although there is NO HEAD-CONTACT allowed during Junior bouts Headguards are still mandatory under A.K.A. 'Junior' Rules to protect against cuts should there be a clash of heads and as an additional layer of protection should an strike make contact outside of the permited target zones ( Body and Legs ).

Official A.K.A. 'Junior Rules'. ( 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 METHOD:
8. SCORE RESULTS:
9. TECHNIQUES - LEVEL OF CONTACT AND SCORING:
10 . TECHNIQUES - PUNCHES:
11. TECHNIQUES - KICKS:
12. TECHNIQUES - CLINCH HOLDING:
13. EIGHT COUNTS:
14. THREE 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. NO SWEEPS ALLOWED:
23. NO LEG HOLDING / LEG CATCHING:
24. ARMOR COLOUR:
25. CLOTHING UNDERNEATH THE BODYSHIELD:
26. JUDGES:
27. BOXING RING SIZE:
28. MEDICAL CHECK:
29 . WEIGHT CHECK:
30. INTENTIONAL TIME WASTING:
31. CRITERIA - AMATEUR or PROFESSIONAL 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 - ( 8oz )
F. Gum Shields.
G. Groin Guards - Required for Boys.

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:
A technique that lands cleanly on to a target area, and causes the opponent to pause or stop will be scored. A technique that causes a Knockdown will clearly score.

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 an English or a British 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' = Strictly Light-Contact Only.

2. Advanced Level - ..........A.K.A. Championships = Full-Contact 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 / Teams must not bring the sport into disripute.

7. SCORING METHOD:

Known as a '10 Point-Must' System. The Player that has a lead over his opponent in significant strikes landed accoding to the judgement of the referee will score 10 points and his opponent 9 Points.

Should a Player score an '8 Count' or a 'Knockdown' then he will win a round 10 Points to 8 Points.

Should a Player score a second '8 Count' or a 'Knockdown' during a round then he will win a round 10 Points to 7 Points.

Three '8 Counts' or 'Knockdowns' in a round and bout will have a Winner declared by T.K.O. decision.

During a bout the Maximum a Player can score is 30 Points, ( 10 Points Maximum per
round ).

8. SCORE RESULTS:
Highest Score or T.K.O. ( Player cannot continue or withdraws ) will decide the winner. Any team 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 ) technique must be delivered with Light- Contact only.

ADVANCED BOUTS - ( Championship events ) To Score a technique must connect with Full Contact.

10. TECHNIQUES - PUNCHES:
Authorised Punching Techniques -
Straight Punches, Hook Punches, Upper-Cut Punches, Flying Punches.
No Spinning Backfists are allowed.

Points are 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.

Points are scored for Kicks to the body, ( but not when blocked on the arms ).
Points are scored for Kicks to the legs, ( but not when blocked on the shin ).


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 a Player is getting overwhealmed, or shows distress during the bout the Referee may stop the action to check on the athlete, at which point an Eight Count is given.

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

15. T.K.O. DECISION - OUTCLASS RULE:
T.K.O. is given when a Player withdraws from a bout or a Referee issues a third 8 count.

16. K.O DECISION:
There are no 'K.O.' decisions under A.K.A. 'Junior Rules' as no Head-Contact is allowed.

17. MEDICAL SUSPENSION :
Following a T.K.O. Loss, Players are suspended from A.K.A. Kickboxing competitons for 60 Days.

18. CORNERMEN RULES :
Only 2 cornermen allowed per competitor.
No foul language 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 a Player will be disqualified, and the Cornermen Team faces possible suspension 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:

A.K.A. 'Junior Rules' : 'N'-Class / Novices / None-Decision :
( Inter-Club Sparring-Day ) = 3 rounds x 60 seconds ( 30 Second Rest )

A.K.A. 'Junior Rules' : 'C'-Class : ( Decision Bouts Winner / Loser ). ME
Novice Bout = 3 rounds x 60 seconds ( 30 Second Rest )

A.K.A. 'Junior Rules' : 'B' Class : English Championship Title bout.
Senior Bout = 3 rounds x 75 seconds ( 60 Second Rest )

A.K.A. 'Junior Rules' : 'A' Class : British Championship Title bout.
Senior Bout = 3 rounds x 90 seconds ( 60 Second Rest )

Note : C-B-A Class bouts, Draws = Extra Round. Upto 2 Extra rounds are allowed ( 5 Rounds in Total ) then a Winner decision must be made.

20. WEIGHT CATEGORIES:

A.K.A. 'Junior Rules' has 50 Divisions, seperated by AGE and then WEIGHT each with a Championship Title.

CODES are used to represent categories for A.K.A. 'Junior Rules' Championships Titles.
Example "CODE Jnr - 14", would be used to for the

A.K.A. Junior 'Super-Welterweight' Championship Title ( Age 10 / 40Kg Max )

CODE ___ AGE___ KG : __DIVISION
Jnr - 01 __( 7 + 8 ) = 32 : __Lightweight
Jnr - 02 __( 7 + 8 ) = 34 : __Super-Lightweight
Jnr - 03 __( 7 + 8 ) = 36 : __Welterweight
Jnr - 04 __( 7 + 8 ) = 38 : __Super-Welterweight
Jnr - 05 __( 7 + 8 ) = 40 : __Middleweight
Jnr - 06 __( 7 + 8 ) = 42 : __Super-Middleweight
Jnr - 07 __( 7 + 8 ) = 44 : __Cruiserweight
Jnr - 08 __( 7 + 8 ) = 46 : __Super-Cruiserweight
Jnr - 09 __( 7 + 8 ) = 48 : __Heavyweight
Jnr - 10 __( 7 + 8 ) = 50 : __Super-Heavyweight

CODE ___ AGE____ KG : __DIVISION
Jnr - 11 __( 9 + 10 ) = 34 : __Lightweight
Jnr - 12 __( 9 + 10 ) = 36 : __Super-Lightweight
Jnr - 13 __( 9 + 10 ) = 38 : __Welterweight
Jnr - 14 __( 9 + 10 ) = 40 : __Super-Welterweight
Jnr - 15 __( 9 + 10 ) = 42 : __Middleweight
Jnr - 16 __( 9 + 10 ) = 44 : __Super-Middleweight
Jnr - 17 __( 9 + 10 ) = 46 : __Cruiserweight
Jnr - 18 __( 9 + 10 ) = 48 : __Super-Cruiserweight
Jnr - 19 __( 9 + 10 ) = 50 : __Heavyweight
Jnr - 20 __( 9 + 10 ) = 52 : __Super-Heavyweight


CODE ___ AGE_____ KG : __DIVISION
Jnr - 21 __( 11 + 12 ) = 36 : __Lightweight
Jnr - 22 __( 11 + 12 ) = 38 : __Super-Lightweight
Jnr - 23 __( 11 + 12 ) = 40 : __Welterweight
Jnr - 24 __( 11 + 12 ) = 42 : __Super-Welterweight
Jnr - 25 __( 11 + 12 ) = 44 : __Middleweight
Jnr - 26 __( 11 + 12 ) = 46 : __Super-Middleweight
Jnr - 27 __( 11 + 12 ) = 48 : __Cruiserweight
Jnr - 28 __( 11 + 12 ) = 50 : __Super-Cruiserweight
Jnr - 29 __( 11 + 12 ) = 52 : __Heavyweight
Jnr - 30 __( 11 + 12 ) = 54 : __Super-Heavyweight


CODE ___ AGE_____ KG : __DIVISION
Jnr - 31 __( 13 + 14 ) = 38 : __Lightweight
Jnr - 32 __( 13 + 14 ) = 40 : __Super-Lightweight
Jnr - 33 __( 13 + 14 ) = 42 : __Welterweight
Jnr - 34 __( 13 + 14 ) = 44 : __Super-Welterweight
Jnr - 35 __( 13 + 14 ) = 46 : __Middleweight
Jnr - 36 __( 13 + 14 ) = 48 : __Super-Middleweight
Jnr - 37 __( 13 + 14 ) = 50: __Cruiserweight
Jnr - 38 __( 13 + 14 ) = 52 : __Super-Cruiserweight
Jnr - 39 __( 13 + 14 ) = 54 : __Heavyweight
Jnr - 40 __( 13 + 14 ) = 56 : __Super-Heavyweight


CODE ___ AGE_____ KG : __DIVISION
Jnr - 41 __( 15 + 16 ) = 40: __Lightweight
Jnr - 42 __( 15 + 16 ) = 42 : __Super-Lightweight
Jnr - 43 __( 15 + 16 ) = 44 : __Welterweight
Jnr - 44 __( 15 + 16 ) = 46 : __Super-Welterweight
Jnr - 45 __( 15 + 16 ) = 48 : __Middleweight
Jnr - 46 __( 15 + 16 ) = 50: __Super-Middleweight
Jnr - 47 __( 15 + 16 ) = 52: __Cruiserweight
Jnr - 48 __( 15 + 16 ) = 54 : __Super-Cruiserweight
Jnr - 49 __( 15 + 16 ) = 56 : __Heavyweight
Jnr - 50 __( 15 + 16 ) = 58 : __Super-Heavyweight


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

23. NO LEG HOLDING / LEG CATCHING:
No Holding of an opponents Leg is allowed. Defence against Kicks is either by blocking techniques or evasion as this is a ‘Stand-Up’ Martial Arts Competition.

24. 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.

25. 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.

26. JUDGES:
Judges must be Neutral, and not alligned to any school of the competing players. There maybe 3 Judges or one single Judge which is the Referee.

27. BOXING RING SIZE:
All A.K.A. matches must take place in a 16ft x 16ft raised platform ring or larger. This is to enhance safety as a larger competition area will allow more movement for competitors.

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

29. 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.

30. 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 : 31. AMATEUR STATUS:

DEFINITIONS

The A.K.A. regards anyone that has competed while not wearing 'Additional Amateur Safety Equipment' other than Boxing Gloves, Gum Shield and Groinguard as holding Professional Status.

Additional Amateur Safety equipment, is Headguard, Bodyshield and/or Shinpads.

To clarify 'N' Class Thai-Kickboxing ( Muaythai Rules ) as used in the U.K. is regarded as 'Amateur' by the A.K.A. as 'Additional Amateur Safety Equipment' is worn that is Shinpads.

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