Kickboxing Competition

Three types of Kickboxing competition

Semi-contact (points) kickboxing

Semi-Contact (points) kickboxing is a style of kickboxing that focuses primarily on the application of controlled and precise technique's hitting your opponent's body or striking your opponent's head with punches or kicks.

Semi Contact rounds typically last between ninety seconds and two minutes. The winner is determined by reaching 10 points within the round. If neither competitor has 10 points the one with the highest number of points wins. In the event of a draw, an extra 30 seconds is added to the clock. There are four referees per fight: One head referee and two additional judges.

Only good clean techniques to the head or body result in scoring points (kicks to the back and punches that are blocked by the forearm or thigh don't score points). Points are awarded to the first fighter to land a technique. After a point has been scored, the fighters return to their start positions. This sequence is repeated until a winner is determined.

Typically points are awarded as below:

One Point: Any hand technique and any kicks to the body
Two Points: Kick to the head
Three Points: Jumping Kick (any body location)
Four Points: Jumping Spin Kick (any body location)
Five Points: Jumping Spin Kick (head)

Competitors in semi-contact kickboxing usually wear t-shirts and trousers. They also use various protective equipment such as: Head guard, Gum shield, Open-palm glove, Groin guard, Shin pads, Footpads.

Light Continuous kickboxing

In Light contact continuous kickboxing (usually referred to as just continuous kickboxing) the rules are similar to those in semi-contact kickboxing. I.e. emphasis is still placed on control and good technique and the same scoring system is used. Equal emphasis must be placed on both punching and kicking techniques. Rounds last up to two minutes and are only paused on the referees decision. The only difference between semi contact and continuous is the format of fights. Where as in semi-contact fighters stop after each point is scored and the fighters return to their start positions, in continuous (as the name suggests) there are no pauses in the round.

POINTS:
One Point: Any hand technique and any kicks to the body
Two Points: Kick to the head
Three Points: Jumping Kick (any location)
Four Points: Jumping Spin Kick (any location)
Five Points: Jumping Spin Kick (head)

Continuous kickboxing clothing and equipment are the same as semi-contact kickboxing.

Full Contact Kickboxing

Full contact kickboxing is much like traditional boxing (with feet!). Full contact kickboxing Amateur fights have 3 x 2 minute rounds with a minute break between each round in all IKF and WAKO tournaments. Punches and kicks are allowed to the front and side of the head, the front and side of the body (above waist) and sweeping is also allowed. The fight is held in a ring. The winner is determined by either a knockout (kO) or by referees decision. Full contact fighters usually compete bare chested and wear shorts or, loose kickboxing trousers. In most full contact competitions only the minimum amount of protection is aloud. Protective equipment is limited to just: Gumshield, 10oz Boxing gloves with hand wraps.

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