Competition Kumite

You can score up to three points in one move when doing competition kumite. The referee signals how many points you receive. Ippon means one point, Nihon means two points, and Sanbon means three points.

Ippon

Awarded for:

Any punch (tsuki) delivered to any of the seven scoring areas excluding the back, the back of the head and neck.

Any strike (uchi) delivered to any of the seven scoring areas.

Nihon

Awarded for:

Chudan kicks. Chudan being defined as the abdomen, chest, back and side.

Punches delivered to the opponent’s back, including the back of the head and neck.

Combinations of punching and striking (tsuki and uchi) the individual components of which each score in their own right, delivered to any of the seven scoring areas.

Any scoring technique delivered after permissible physical action of the contestant has caused the opponent to lose balance as the score is made.

Sanbon

Awarded for:

Jodan kicks. Jodan being defined as the face, head and neck.

Any scoring technique which is delivered after legally throwing, leg sweeping, or taking the opponent down to the mat.

The Points System Explained

The reason you can score more points for some moves than you can others is simple, it is easier to do a reverse punch to the stomach than it is to do a roundhouse kick tothe head. Therefore, you get one point for the reverse punch, and three points for the head kick.

The Penalty System Explained

The order of penalties is as follows:
Chucoku
Keikoku
Hansoku Chui
Hansoku

Each penalty can be given for either category one or two, and they do not mix.

A Chucoku is a warning and no points are given to the opponent.

A Keikoku is a penalty and one point is given to the opponent.

A Hansoku Chui is a penalty and two points are given to the opponent.

A Hansoku is a disqualification, resulting in the opponent winning.

Finally, a Shikakku is a serious disqualification, resulting in the opponent winning, and is given only if the competitor breaches the etiquette of Karate-do.

The Competition Area

When fighting in a competition, Aka is red, and Ao is blue. If you are looking from the opposite side of the referee (normally where the spectators sit), then Aka will be on the left, and Ao on the right. (The picture above is taken from the W.K.F Rule Book).