Kumite Judge Hand Signals

Ever wondered what all the hand signals mean during a kumite (freestyle) match?

The chief judge maybe supported by two other flag judges - so check out the flag signals for the supporting judges...

SHOBU HAJIME

“Start the Match”

After the announcement, the Referee takes a step back.

OTAGAI-NI-REI

The Referee motions to the contestants to bow to each other.

TSUZUKETE HAJIME

“Resume fighting—Begin”

As he says “Tsuzukete”, and standing in a forward stance, the Referee extends his arms outward with his palms facing the contestants. As he says “Hajime” he turns the palms and brings them rapidly towards one another at the same time stepping back.

YAME

“Stop”

Interruption or end of a match or bout. As he makes the announcement, the Referee makes a downward chopping motion with his hand.

CATEGORY 1 OFFENCE

The Referee crosses his open hands with the edge of one wrist on the edge of the other at chest level.

CATEGORY 2 OFFENCE

The Referee points with a bent arm at the face of the offender.

EXCESSIVE CONTACT

The Referee indicates to the Judges that there has been excessive contact, a Category 1 offence.

IPPON (1 point)

The Referee extends his arm downward at 45 degrees on the side of the scorer.

NIHON (Two Points)

The Referee extends his arm at shoulder level on the side of the scorer.

SANBON ( Three Points)

The Referee extends his arm upward at 45 degrees on the side of the scorer.

NO KACHI (Win)

At the end of the match or bout, the Referee extends his arm upward at 45 degrees on the side of the winner.

CANCEL LAST DECISION

The Referee turns towards the contestant, announces 'Aka' or 'Shiro', crosses his arms, then makes a cutting motion, palms downward, to indicate that the last decision has been cancelled.

KEIKOKU

The Referee indicates a Category 1 or 2 offence then points with his index finger downwards at 45 degrees in the direction of the offender, and awards Ippon (one point) to the opponent.

HANSOKU CHUI

“Nihon Penalty”.

The Referee indicates a Category 1 or 2 offence then points with his index finger horizontally in the direction of the offender and awards Nihon (two points), to the opponent.

HANSOKU

“Disqualification”

The Referee indicates a Category 1 or 2 offence then points with his index finger upwards at 45 degrees in the direction of the offender, and awards a win to the opponent.

SHIKKAKU

“Disqualification, Leave the Area”.

The Referee points first upwards at 45 degrees in the direction of the offender then motions out and behind with the announcement “Aka (Shiro) Shikkaku!” He then announces a win for the opponent.

JOGAI

“Exit from the Match Area”

The Referee indicates an exit to the Judges, by pointing with the index finger to the match area boundary on the side of the offender.

SHUGO

“Judges Called”

The Referee calls the Judges at the end of the match or bout: or to recommend Shikkaku.

TORIMASEN

“Unacceptable as a Scoring Technique”

The Referee crosses his arms then makes a cutting motion, palms downward.

HIKIWAKE

“Draw”

In the case of a tied decision at Hantei the Referee crosses his arms then extends them with the palms showing to the front.

AIUCHI

“Simultaneous Scoring Techniques”.

No point is awarded to either contestant. The Referee brings the fists together in front of the chest.

TECHNIQUE BLOCKED OR OFF TARGET.

The Referee places an open hand over the other arm to indicate to the Judges that the technique was blocked or hit a non-scoring area.

AKA (SHIRO) SCORED FIRST

The Referee indicates to the Judges that Aka scored first by bringing the open right hand to the palm of the left hand. If Shiro was first, the left hand points into the right hand.

MUBOBI (Self Endangerment)

The Referee touches the face then turning the hand edge forward, moves it back and forth in front of the face to indicate to the Judges that the contestant is endangering him/herself.

TECHNIQUE TOO WEAK

The Referee motions up and down with the open hand to indicate to the Judges that the technique did not have sufficient power.

TECHNIQUE MISSED

The Referee moves the clenched fist across the body to indicate to the Judges that the technique missed or glanced off the scoring area.

DISTANCE INCORRECT. (Extended)

The Referee holds both hands, palms facing, about 30 centimetres apart to indicate to the Judges that the technique's distancing was incorrect.

DISTANCE INCORRECT. (Too close)

The Referee crosses the arms with the backs of the hands facing, fingers pointing forward, to indicate that the technique's distancing was incorrect.

“RECONSIDERATION”

After indicating the reasons, the Referee asks the Judges to reconsider their opinions.

KIKEN

“Renunciation”

The Referee points with the index finger towards the renouncing contestant's line then announces a win to the opponent.