Rules & Regulations

The Florida Sport Karate League uses the sport karate rules established by the World Karate Federation and USA National Karate-Do Federation.  Some rules have been modified by the FSKL Technical Committee for some divisions.  All tournaments sponsored by the FSKL must use the exact same rules of competition. All competitors are responsible for knowing all the rules.  Below is a brief synopsis of the rules and the FSKL modifications.  You can download the complete rule book from the USANKF at www.usankf.org.

FSKL Divisions

 

                        Levels:     Beginners (0 - 1 years)    Intermediate (2 - 3 years)
                                             Novice (1 - 2 years)       Advanced ( 3 years and over)
 
                                          *Black belts must register as Advanced
                                          *Brown belts must register as Intermediate or Advanced
                                          *Competitors must advance one level each year regardless of rank. 
                                             You cannot be Intermediate two years in a row.
 
                Divisions:      5 & Under                    14 - 15 years

                             6 - 7 years                    16 - 17 years
                                    8 - 9 years                    18 - 34 years
                                            10 - 11 years                 35 and over
                                            12 - 13 years
 
          *The tournament director reserves the right to change or combine divisions if
            there is less than five competitors per division.
 

FSKL Organization
 
                          Rings:    Rings will be 10x10 meters and matted.
 
               Scoreboards:    Each ring will have a manual or electronic scoreboard that is
                                              visible to the competitors.
 
                         Order:     Each FSKL event will be run with all the kata competition first
                                             followed by all the kumite competition. 
 
                     Officials:    All FSKL Officials must wear the official referee polo shirt and
                                             attire at all times.
 

FSKL Kata Eliminations
 
              Uniform:   -  All white karate uniform with one small patch allowed
                                          on left chest. 
                                       -  Competitors will wear red belt for Aka or blue belt for Ao
                              
 
          Performance:  - A random pairing of competitors will perform next to one
                                         another.  Advanced adults will perform their katas individually.
                                      - A panel of 3 or 5 judges will vote for the best performance with flags
                                      - All katas must be traditional and meet the criteria set forth  
                                         by the WKF (see rule book above for specifics).
                                      - Male and female kata divisions will be combined except for
                                         Advanced 14-34 year old divisions.
                                      - Single Elimination will determine top three places for all Beginners,
                                         Novice, Intermediate, 13 & under Advanced, and 35+ Advanced
                                         Losers in the semi-final matches will compete for one third place medal.
                                      - Repechage Elimination for Advanced 14 - 34.  Two third place medals
                                         will be awarded. (This elimination is the same for Kumite)
                                      - Advanced 14 - 34 year old competitors must perform
                                         three different katas in the first three rounds.  Then may repeat.
                                      - All other competitors may repeat the same kata in each round.
 

FSKL Kumite Rules
 
   WKF Rules Modified:  applies to all Beginners, Novice, Intermediate,
                                                 13 & under Advanced, and 35+ Advanced
 
                                -   1 Minute 30 Second Rounds (Stop time)
                                -   Single Elimination
                                -   Winner is first to reach 8 points or lead at time expiration
                                -   Slight contact to head is permitted with foot.
                                -   No head contact allowed with hand.
 
      WKF Rules:  Advanced Divisions 14 - 34
                 
                                -   2 Minute Rounds (Stop Time) for all advanced 14 - 17 and WKF women
                                -   3 Minute Rounds (Stop Time) for WKF men
                                -   2 Minute Rounds (Stop Time) for WKF Team Matches
                                -   Repechage Elimination
                                -   Winner is first to have lead of 8 points or lead at time expiration
                                -   WKF rules for contact
 
      Uniform & Equipment: 
 
                                 -  All white uniform with one small patch on left chest
                                 -  Mouth guard and groin protectors (males only).  This will be
                                    checked in staging.  Those are missing this equipment will
                                    not be allowed to compete.
                                 -  WKF style red and blue sparring gloves. 
                                 -  Competitors will wear red belt for Aka or blue belt for Ao
                                 -  White foam helmets are mandatory for competitors 9 and under
                                 -  WKF Approved shin guards and foot protectors are optional

                                 -  USANKF White Shin guards and foot protectors are also optional
                                     (No other shin guard or foot protectors are allowed)