Pre-match Briefing

Pre-match briefing is mandatory meeting must be attended by all coaches and contestants before tournament, very important to socialize the tournament rules used by the organizer.

There are so many martial art tournament organizers nowadays. Those organizers created their own rules based on their own personal taste and style, that why pre-match briefing is important. For examples:

- Some Taekwondo organizers permit all basic punches and kicks, other organizers only permit kicks.

- Some Kickboxing organizers permit kicks to leg area, other organizers only permit kicks above hip area.

- Some Kenpo organizers permit both elbow and knee strikes. Other those fighting sport organizers only permit basic punches and kicks.

- Some Kuntao organizers permit all basic punches and kicks, other organizers only permit punches.

- Some Tui Shou organizers permit all basic throws, other organizers only permit pushing the opponent body with palm techniques.

Dizzy? Me too.

Although there are so many tournament organizers with different personal taste, at least all good martial art tournament organizers are agree with 1 thing: Ban all fatal pressure point strikes (like finger stab, neck chop or groin kick) for safety.

2 Fighting Tournament Systems

There are 2 fighting tournament systems:

1. Points Fighting

Both fighters must score points much as they can until the match time / round is over.

Everytime one fighter score 1 point, stepping outside ring line, touching the ring rope or tripped, the referee will reset both fighters position from the start line again.

2. Continuous Fighting

Both fighters must score points much as they can continuously until the match time / round is over.

The referee only interupt the fight when one fighter stepping outside ring line, touching the ring rope or tripped.

In all tournament systems, 4 judges give the score for each fighters (2 judges watching red glove fighter and 2 other judges watching blue glove fighter). Referee just controlling the fight and make sure both fighters respect the rules.