CONTENT OF THE BOUT

4.1.1. Standing Position

A competitor shall be deemed to be in the standing position when only the soles of the feet are in contact with the competition area.

4.1.2. Ground Position

A competitor shall be deemed to be in the ground position when any part of the body (torso or trunk) is in contact with the competition area.

4.1.3. Kneeling Position

A competitor shall be deemed to be in the kneeling position when one or both knees are in contact with the competition area. In this position, the competitor may sit on the calf muscles without the buttocks touching the surface of the competition area.

4.1.4. Standing Bout

A bout shall be considered to be conducted in the standing position when both competitors are in the standing position.

4.1.5. Ground Bout

A bout shall be considered to be conducted in the ground position (parterre) when one or both competitors are in the ground position.

4.1.6. Out of Bounds

A competitor shall be considered out of bounds:

a) in the standing or kneeling position, when one competitor steps beyond the boundary of the competition area with one foot;

b) in the ground position, when the greater part of one competitor’s torso, including the belt area, extends beyond the boundary of the competition area, except where the attacking competitor is actively applying a hold-down, joint lock, or choke hold, or is executing a series of strikes.

4.2.1.

In the Classic and Pro-Full disciplines, competitors may perform all technical actions permitted under these Rules and the Competition Regulations.

Strikes, throws, hold-downs, joint locks, and choke holds may be executed in all positions defined by these Rules.

4.2.2.

In the Light Gi and Light No-Gi disciplines:

• hand strikes to the head while standing are prohibited;
• in the ground position, strikes to the head are prohibited, except when the competitors are in the guard or mount positions and both knees of the attacking competitor remain on the competition area;
• knee strikes are prohibited;
• strikes while standing are prohibited whenever one competitor has established a grip on the opponent’s jacket.

4.2.3.

All technical actions intended to unbalance an opponent, as specified in Table 1, shall be evaluated exclusively from the standing position.

4.2.4.

A hold-down shall be evaluated only when performed in the ground position.

4.2.5.

Technical actions may be performed using the hands, legs, knees, and combined movements.

The use of elbow strikes and head strikes is prohibited.

4.3.1.

A strike shall mean a purposeful, short-duration impact delivered by the striking surface of the attacking or counter-attacking competitor against the opponent’s body, as a result of which the opponent assumes the ground position or becomes unable to continue the bout.

4.3.2.

Strikes may be delivered using:

• any surface of the fist;
• the elbow;
• the forearm;
• the shoulder;
• the open palm;
• the knife edge of the hand;
• the knee;
• the shin;
• any surface of the foot.

4.3.3.

Permitted target areas for strikes are:

• the head (excluding the back of the head);
• the neck (excluding the throat and cervical vertebrae);
• the chest;
• the abdomen; 
• the sides of the torso;
• the back (excluding the spinal column);
• the legs.

4.3.4.

In the Classic and Pro-Full disciplines, hand strikes may be delivered in all positions in accordance with these Rules.

4.3.5.

In the Light Gi and Light No-Gi disciplines, hand strikes to the head while standing are prohibited.

In the ground position, strikes to the head are prohibited except when the competitors are in the guard or mount positions.

4.3.6.

Kicks may be delivered only against an opponent who is:

• in the standing position;
• in the kneeling position; or
• when both competitors are in the ground position.

4.3.7.

Controlling an opponent in the ground position while carrying out a continuous series of strikes for ten (10) seconds shall be evaluated as Activity.

4.4.1.

A throw shall mean a technical action executed by the attacking competitor from the standing position, as a result of which the opponent loses balance and falls from the standing position into the ground position, or becomes unable to continue the bout.

4.4.2.

A throw without falling is a throw in which the attacking competitor remains in the standing position from the initiation of the throw until its completion.

4.4.3.

A counter-throw is a technical action performed by the defending competitor, whereby he or she intercepts the initiative, changes the nature or direction of the attacking competitor’s movement, and, upon completion of the action, lands in a dominant position above or to the side of the opponent.

4.4.4.

A throw with falling is a throw during which the attacking competitor transitions from the standing position to the ground position, or supports himself or herself on the grounded opponent in order to maintain balance.

4.4.5.

A throw executed against an opponent who is already in the ground position shall be scored only where the opponent is completely lifted off the competition area, raised above the attacker’s waist level, and rotated around the horizontal axis.

4.4.6.

Lifting a competitor from the competition area while he or she is in the ground position and returning the competitor to the same position without rotation shall not be considered a throw.

4.5.1.

A hold-down is a technical action whereby a competitor forces the opponent to remain on his or her back (or with the back directed toward the competition area) for ten (10) seconds, while maintaining body contact by pressing the torso against the opponent’s torso or against the opponent’s arms held against the torso.

4.5.2.

The timing of a hold-down shall commence at the moment when the attacking competitor, maintaining chest, side, or back contact with the opponent, securely controls the opponent in the supine position.

4.5.3.

The timing of the hold-down shall cease if:

a) the held competitor turns onto the chest, abdomen, or buttocks, causing the angle between the back at shoulder blade level and the surface of the competition area to exceed 90 degrees;

b) the held competitor fully pushes the attacking competitor away with fully extended arms;

c) both competitors move beyond the safe area of the competition area;

d) the attacking competitor proceeds to apply a joint lock or choke hold.

4.6.1.

A joint lock is a technical action involving pressure applied to the joints of the limbs by means of hyperextension (armbar or leg lock), joint rotation (joint lock), or compression of tendons or muscles, resulting in the defending competitor acknowledging defeat.

4.6.2.

Joint locks may be executed in all positions permitted under these Rules.

4.6.3.

A joint lock shall be deemed to have commenced at the moment when, following control of the opponent’s limb at the targeted joint, the attacking competitor begins an action intended to produce pain or force the opponent to submit.

Maintaining control of an opponent in a joint lock for thirty (30) seconds shall be evaluated as Activity.

4.6.4.

A verbal signal of submission during the execution of a joint lock shall be given loudly by the word:

“I Submit!”

(or by any other clear verbal exclamation).

A non-verbal signal of submission shall consist of repeated tapping with the hand or foot on the competition area or on the body of the attacking competitor.

4.6.5.

The application of a joint lock shall be immediately discontinued if both competitors move beyond the safe area of the competition area.

4.7.1.

A choke hold is a technical action involving pressure applied to the respiratory tract or blood vessels with the purpose of inducing choking, as a result of which the defending competitor submits or becomes unable to continue the bout.

4.7.2.

Choke holds may be executed in all positions permitted under these Rules.

4.7.3.

A choke hold shall be deemed to have commenced at the moment a grip is established that allows the attacking competitor either to proceed directly with the choke or to overcome the opponent’s defensive grip.

Maintaining control of an opponent in a choke hold for thirty (30) seconds shall be evaluated as Activity.

4.7.4.

A verbal signal of submission during the execution of a choke hold shall be given loudly by the word:

“I Submit!”

(or by any other clear verbal exclamation).

A non-verbal signal of submission shall consist of repeated tapping with the hand or foot on the competition area or on the body of the attacking competitor.

4.7.5.

The application of a choke hold shall be terminated immediately if the defending competitor loses the ability to continue the bout.

4.7.6.

The application of a choke hold shall also be terminated immediately once the competitors move beyond the safe area of the competition area.

4.8.1.

The quality and evaluation of technical actions (strikes, throws, and other techniques) shall depend upon the position of the competitors relative to the surface of the competition area both before and after the execution of the technique.

4.8.2.

The evaluation of technical actions performed by the attacking competitor from the standing position shall be carried out in accordance with Scoring Table No. 1.

Scoring Table No. 1

4.8.3.

A competitor shall be awarded:

a) Activity (awarded only once during the bout), for:

• maintaining a hold-down for 10 seconds;
• maintaining control during a joint lock for 30 seconds;
• maintaining control during a choke hold for 30 seconds;
• maintaining control of the opponent while executing a continuous series of strikes in the ground position for 10 seconds,

in accordance with these Rules;

b) 1 point where the opponent receives an official Warning;

c) 1 point where the opponent deliberately crawls or escapes beyond the competition area while caught in a joint lock or choke hold;

d) 2 points where the opponent commits a Prohibited Action (P.A.).

4.8.4.

Technical actions shall be evaluated as follows:

•  2 points shall be awarded where the attacking competitor executes a technical action causing the opponent to fall onto the side, back, chest, abdomen, buttocks, lower back, or shoulder, while the attacking competitor remains in the standing position and continues the attack.
• 1 point shall be awarded where the attacking competitor executes a technical action causing the opponent to fall onto any part of the body, while the attacker lands on the ground in a dominant position above or beside the opponent and immediately continues the attack by strikes, a hold-down, a joint lock, or a choke hold.

Where the attacker remains underneath the opponent or fails to continue the attack, the action shall instead be evaluated as Activity.

• 1 point shall be awarded where, following a strike or throw, the opponent falls onto one or both knees while supporting himself or herself with one or both hands, and the attacking competitor remains in the standing position.
• 1 point shall also be awarded where, following a strike, the opponent falls onto one or both knees while the attacking competitor remains standing.

4.8.5.

Victory shall be awarded before the expiration of regular time where, as the result of a technical action, the opponent becomes unable to continue the bout.

4.8.6.

Victory shall be awarded before the expiration of regular time upon the successful execution of a joint lock.

4.8.7.

Victory shall be awarded before the expiration of regular time upon the successful execution of a choke hold.

4.8.8.

Hold-downs, joint locks, choke holds, and control of the opponent during a continuous series of strikes in the ground position, initiated within the competition area, may continue outside the competition area provided that the attacking competitor remains in the active phase of the technique and at least one competitor remains within the safe area of the competition area.

4.8.9.

Any technical actions not specifically provided for in Section 4.8 shall be evaluated by the Chief Referee of the competition.

During a bout, competitors are prohibited from:

• gripping the opponent’s fingers, hair, nose, ears, or genitals;
• inserting fingers into the opponent’s mouth, ears, nose, or other body openings;
• biting or scratching the opponent;
• pressing or striking the opponent’s eyes with the fingers;
• striking the back of the head, the cervical vertebrae, or the spinal column;
• delivering kicks or elbow strikes to the head of an opponent who is in the ground or kneeling position;
• striking the groin, coccyx, or anal area;
• delivering head strikes to the opponent’s head;
• using any foreign objects;
• intentionally executing throws that cause the opponent to land on the head;
• applying joint locks or twisting techniques to the spinal column;
• twisting the neck;
• hyperextending the knee joint (“knee bar”) outside its natural plane of movement;
• applying choke holds using the fingers;
• continuing any technique after the sound of the gong or after the Referee has given the verbal command “Stop!”;
• feigning or simulating an injury;
• deliberately delaying the interruption of the bout;
• giving a false verbal or gestural signal alleging that the opponent has committed a prohibited action;
• participating in a fixed or non-genuine bout.

4.10.1.

The boundary of the competition area shall be the outer edge of the red boundary strip separating the red and blue competition zones.

4.10.2.

A competitor shall be deemed out of bounds:

a) during a standing bout, when either competitor steps beyond the boundary of the competition area;

b) during a ground bout, when one-half of a competitor’s torso (at belt level), or the shoulder blade together with the buttock, extends beyond the boundary of the competition area, except as provided in Article 4.1.6(b).

4.10.3.

Whether a competitor is out of bounds shall be determined by the Referee, or, where there is doubt, by the majority decision of the officiating team (the Referee and the Side Judge).

4.10.4.

Where a competitor is determined to be out of bounds, the Referee shall give the command:

“Stop!”

and return both competitors to the centre of the competition area.

4.10.5.

A technical action completed outside the competition area shall be scored provided that it was initiated within the competition area.

Technical actions initiated outside the competition area shall not be scored.

4.10.6.

Hold-downs, joint locks, choke holds, and control of the opponent during a continuous series of strikes in the ground position, initiated within the competition area, may continue until at least one competitor remains within the safe area of the competition area.

4.10.7.

The following actions shall be considered avoidance of the bout:

a) intentionally leaving the competition area;

b) intentionally pushing the opponent beyond the boundary of the competition area;

c) deliberately moving into the ground position without making a genuine attempt to execute a technical action.

4.11.1.

Where a competitor commits a Prohibited Action that does not result in injury to the opponent, 2 points shall be awarded to the opponent.

A competitor who commits a second prohibited action shall be removed from the bout and shall be declared the loser.

4.11.2.

A competitor shall be removed from the bout and declared the loser if, as a result of a prohibited action committed by that competitor, the opponent is declared by the Competition Physician to be unable to continue the bout.

4.11.3.

The following shall constitute violations of these Rules:

a) failure to appear promptly on the competition area;

b) talking during the bout while on the competition area;

c) avoidance of the bout, including:

• intentionally leaving the competition area while standing or in the ground position;
• intentionally pushing the opponent beyond the boundary of the competition area;
• deliberately moving into the ground position without a genuine attempt to execute a technical action;
• passivity;

d) deliberately crawling or escaping beyond the competition area while subjected to a joint lock, choke hold, or while the opponent is executing a continuous series of strikes in the ground position;

e) unethical conduct by a Team Representative, Coach, Second, Competitor, any member of the competitor’s team, or the competitor’s supporters.

4.11.4.

For violations of these Rules, the following disciplinary measures shall apply:

• Remark;
• First Warning (the opponent shall be awarded 1 point);
• Second Warning (the opponent shall again be awarded 1 point).

Upon receiving a third Warning, the competitor shall be removed from the bout and declared the loser.

4.11.5.

No more than one Remark may be issued to a competitor during a single bout.

The Referee shall have the authority to encourage active engagement by the competitors without prior consultation with the other members of the officiating team.

4.11.6.

A competitor shall be deemed late if he or she fails to enter the competition area after the competitor’s name has been announced and the official invitation to compete has been made.

Following the first call without appearance, the competitor shall receive a Remark, after which a second invitation shall be issued.

4.11.7.

If the competitor has not appeared one (1) minute after the initial call, the competitor shall receive the First Warning, followed by another invitation to enter the competition area.

If the competitor has still not appeared thirty (30) seconds later, the Second Warning shall be issued together with a further invitation.

If the competitor fails to appear within two (2) minutes after the first official call, the competitor shall be declared defeated.

4.12.1.

A competitor shall be removed from the bout by decision of the Chief Referee, and victory shall be awarded to the opponent in the following cases:

a) for a repeated Prohibited Action (prohibited technique);

b) if, as a result of the competitor’s use of a Prohibited Action, the opponent is declared by the Competition Physician to be unable to continue the bout;

c) if the competitor exceeds the three (3) minute time limit allocated for medical assistance;

d) upon receiving a third Warning.

4.12.2.

A competitor shall be removed from the competition by decision of the Chief Referee:

a) upon the conclusion of the Competition Physician that the competitor is medically unfit to continue the bout;

b) for unethical conduct during the bout toward the opponent, referees, spectators, including refusal to shake hands with the opponent before or after the bout, or similar conduct;

c) for failure to appear on the competition area within two (2) minutes following the first official call;

d) for committing a Prohibited Action that results in an injury preventing the opponent, in the opinion of the Competition Physician, from continuing participation in the competition;

e) for feigning injury, deliberately delaying the bout, or deceiving the referees.

4.12.3.

A competitor removed from the competition:

a) shall forfeit all individual results (victories) achieved during the competition;

b) shall have all results annulled, and such results shall not be counted in determining the team standings;

c) shall have the issue of further disciplinary disqualification referred to the World Combat Sambo Federation (WCSF).

The outcome of a bout shall consist of the victory of one competitor and the defeat of the other.

4.13.1.

For the purpose of evaluating the quality of victories and defeats when determining individual and team standings, the following classification points shall apply:

a) an early victory by strike, joint lock, choke hold, or clear superiority shall be recorded as 4:0;

b) victory resulting from the opponent’s removal from the bout or refusal to continue during regular time shall be recorded as 4:0;

c) victory on points during regular time where the defeated competitor failed to score any point shall be recorded as 4:1; 

d) an early victory by strike, joint lock, choke hold, or clear superiority during extra time shall be recorded as 4:1;

e) victory resulting from the opponent’s removal or refusal to continue during extra time shall be recorded as 4:1;

f) victory on points during regular time where both competitors scored points shall be recorded as 4:2;

g) victory by the decision of the referees after extra time shall be recorded as 4:3.

4.13.2.

Victory shall be awarded before the expiration of the bout:

• by joint lock, where the defending competitor submits by giving the signal of submission (“I Submit!” or repeated tapping with the hand on the opponent, the competition area, or with the foot on the competition area);
• by choke hold, where the defending competitor submits or loses consciousness as a result of pressure applied to the respiratory tract or blood vessels;
• by strike, where the opponent loses the ability to control the bout and physically defend himself or herself (unable to continue the bout);
• by clear superiority, where the competitor receives a continuous barrage of strikes, is unable to defend effectively, and is incapable of continuing meaningful resistance;
• where the opponent is removed from the bout by the Competition Physician or for violation of these Rules;
• where the opponent or the opponent’s Second refuses to continue the bout.

4.13.3.

Victory shall be awarded upon expiration of the bout:

● on the basis of the difference in scores for technical actions;

● by decision of the referees where no difference in score exists after the expiration of extra time.

4.13.4.

The results of bouts and the categories of victories and defeats are summarized in Table No. 2.

Table No. 2

1. Early Victory (4:0)

Classification Points: 4:0

• victory by strike;
• victory by joint lock;
• victory by choke hold;
• victory by evident superiority;
• victory due to the opponent’s withdrawal during regulation time;
• victory due to the opponent’s refusal to continue during regulation time.

This result shall apply where:

• a strike resulting in the opponent becoming unable to continue the bout has been awarded;
• a joint lock has been successfully applied;
• a choke hold has been successfully applied;
• the opponent receives a continuous barrage of strikes and is unable to defend or continue the bout;
• the opponent is unable to continue due to injury as confirmed by the Competition Physician;
• the opponent is removed from the bout for violation of the Rules;
• the opponent or the opponent’s Representative (Coach) refuses to continue the bout.

2. Victory (4:1)

Victory on points during regulation time where the defeated competitor has not scored any technical points.

OR

Early victory during extra time:

• by strike;
• by joint lock;
• by choke hold;
• by evident superiority;
• by withdrawal of the opponent during extra time;
• by refusal of the opponent to continue during extra time.

Classification Points: 4:1

This result shall apply where:

• victory on points is achieved during regulation time while the defeated competitor scores no technical points;
• a strike resulting in the opponent becoming unable to continue the bout has been awarded during extra time;
• a joint lock has been successfully applied during extra time;
• a choke hold has been successfully applied during extra time;
• the opponent is unable to continue due to injury confirmed by the Competition Physician;
• the opponent is removed from the bout for violation of the Rules;
• the opponent or the opponent’s Representative (Coach) refuses to continue the bout.

3. Victory (4:2)

Victory on points during regulation time.

Classification Points: 4:2

Awarded where both competitors have scored technical points and one competitor has obtained the higher score.

4. Victory (4:3)

Victory by decision of the officiating panel after extra time.

Classification Points: 4:3

Awarded where none of the above results determine the winner and the outcome is decided by the officiating panel.

4.13.5.

Where the competitors have an equal number of points at the conclusion of the extra time, the winner shall be determined according to the following criteria, in order of priority:

a) the higher-valued technical actions scored;

b) the last technical action that was awarded a score;

c) the decision of the officiating panel.

4.13.6.

The team standings shall be determined according to the highest total number of classification points earned by the team’s competitors:

a) 8 points – for 1st place;

b) 6 points – for 2nd place;

c) 4 points – for 3rd place;

d) 2 points – for 5th place;

e) 1 point – for 7th place.