The International Kick-Boxing Federation Kickboxing Rules

1.1 All I.K.B.F. events must comply with the I.K.B.F. rules. National events must be approved by the national I.K.B.F representative and all international I.K.B.F. events must be approved by the international I.K.B.F commissioner, Mr. Detlef Turnau. I.K.B.F. headquarters is not prepared to introduce fighters into the ratings without confirmation of fights by the national I.K.B.F. representative.

1.2 Results of all national (only A-class and title fights) and international I.K.B.F. events must be sent to the I.K.B.F. headquarters no later than one week after the event took place. This will enable the I.K.B.F. ratings commission to complete the ratings.

2.0 Competing in Kick Boxing and Full Contact

2.1 Amateur contestants who are registered members of the I.K.B.F. are only permitted to compete in I.K.B.F. sanctioned events. Amateur contestants are not permitted to take part in any non-sanctioned I.K.B.F. events.

2.2 Professional contestants who are registered members of the I.K.B.F. and who are engaged in Full-Contact or Kick-Boxing will be allowed to obtain dispensation as to the above rule. The I.K.B.F. headquarters must be informed two weeks before the scheduled event. The above ruling will only apply to I.S.K.A and W.K.A but not for blacklisted promoters of the associations.

2.3 If any contestant violates the above rule a maximum suspension of 6 months will be enforced.

3.0 Promoter

3.1 All I.K.B.F. promoters must be registered with the national I.K.B.F. Headquarters before seeking sanctioning from the I.K.B.F.
Every I.K.B.F. promoter must inform the national I.K.B.F. representative in case of international events four weeks before the event of this matchmaking. The national I.K.B.F. representative must inform the international commissioner by return. It is the responsibility of the national representative to ensure that the contestants scheduled for the event are members of the I.K.B.F. and are medically fit.

3.2 For international fights the promoter has to submit a sanction fee in the amount of 100, -US$ to the national I.K.B.F. representative. The representative has to submit 50, -US$ to the I.K.B.F. headquarters three weeks before the scheduled event.

3.3 For international I.K.B.F. Title Flights the promoter has to submit a sanction fee in the amount of 150, -US$ to the national I.K.B.F. representative. The representative has to submit 75, -US$ to the I.K.B.F. Headquarters four weeks before the scheduled event.

3.4 For the international Title flights as European-, African-, Asian or All American Title Flights the national headquarters has to contact the international commissioner eight weeks in advance to seek approval as to the event taking place. The promoter has to submit a sanction fee in the amount of 300, -US$ to the national I.K.B.F. representative. The representative has to submit 150, -US$ to the I.K.B.F. Headquarters six weeks before the scheduled event.

3.5 For World Title Flights the promoter has to submit a sanction fee in the amount of 500, - US$ to the national I.K.B.F. representative: The representative has to submit 250, - US$ to the I.K.B.F. Headquarters six weeks before the scheduled event.

3.6 The bank connection in Germany is as follows:

SPARKASSE NEUSS
I.K.B.F. – Commissioner D. Turnau
Account no.: 59 400 861
Bank’s code no.: 312 513 50

3.7 The promoter has to ensure that a doctor is present at the event and is in reach during each contest.

3.8 The promoter has to ensure that only licensed referees by I.K.B.F. will judge the scheduled event. For international Title Flights the promoter has to contact six weeks before the event will take place the international commissioner for referees. Three referees of different counties and one local referee must judge international title flights. It is the responsibility of the international commissioner to send referees to international title fights.

3.9 The promoter has to arrange that fighters who fight for an international title, have to be at the place of the event 48 hours before the event will take place.

4.0 The Referee

4.1 It is the referee’s responsibility that he complies with the rules of the I.K.B.F. 

4.2 Before the event takes place the referee has to ensure that the following are in order:

• There must be a full team of licensed I.K.B.F. officials
• A qualified doctor must be present
• The contestants must be all I.K.B.F. members
• The safety of the ring must be in order
• The contestants must be wearing protective clothing like mouth guard and abdominal protector
• The contestants must be wearing boxing gloves, which are approved by I.K.B.F. The following trademarks are approved: Jefferson, Malpaso, Dan-Rho, Paffen, Taurus
• All contestants must complete at the agreed weight 

4.3 In the case an I.K.B.F. promoter violates the rules of the I.K.B.F. before or during the event, the referee is in his right to have the event cancelled and the promoter held responsible for all cost.

4.4 In the case a contestant violates the rules of I.K.B.F. before or during the event or not complying to his or her contract agreement, the referee in his right to have the contestant suspended. The contestant will be held responsible for breaking his contract agreement, and if found guilty by an I.K.B.F. commission a fine will be imposed.

4.5 The referee is responsible for all judging materials. The referee has to ensure that all information pertaining to the event is sent to I.K.B.F. national representative.

5.0 The Judge

5.1 It is the responsibility of three judges to judge the contest fairly and without prejudice. The score sheet must be marked correctly and in an orderly manner.

5.2 All scoring will be marked out of TEN

5.3 Every time a contestant is knocked down either by punch or a kick, one point will be deducted from his scorecard. In the D/N, C and B class division if a contestant is knocked down twice in one round or three times in the contest, the contest will be stopped.

5.4 In the A-class division if a contestant is knocked down three times in one round or four times in the contest, the contest will be stopped.

5.5 Whenever a contestant is officially warned by the referee a point will be deducted from his score sheet. On the third official warning, the contestant will be disqualified.

6.0 International referees and Judges

6.1 For all international I.K.B.F. title fights the nationality of the referees must differ from that contestant. All international title fights will have three judges in all. The nationality of three of the judges must differ from that of the contestant.

6.2 The promoter has to pay to the referee 100, -US$ plus all expenses. The judges must be paid 75, -US$ plus all expenses.

6.3 It is the responsibility of the international commissioner to ensure that all officials are fully qualified.

7.0 Weight Determination

7.1 The promoter has to ensure that the scales are I.K.B.F. approved. All contestants must be informed of the time of weigh-in. The weigh-in must take place no later than one hour before the contest.

7.2 The following people must be present at the weigh-in:

• The referee

• Managers or trainers of both contestants

• The contestants

• The doctor

7.3 All contestants have to ensure that they weigh-in at the agreed weight. In the case that a contestant is overweight he or she will be given one hour to make the agreed weight.

7.4 In the case that a contestant is unable to make the agreed weight, the contest will be awarded to his or her opponent and a fine imposed on the contestant who failed to make the agreed weight.

7.5 In a championship contest, if the contestant is unable to make the agreed championship weight the contest will automatically be awarded to his opponent, making him or her the champion. The contest can still continue as a non-championship contest.

8.0 The Ring

8.1 All approved I.K.B.F. contest rings must not be less than three ropes. All national fights will be held in a 5x5 m (minimum) ring and international fights will be held in a 6x6 m ring.

8.2 The ring, ropes and corners must be well padded. The ring floor must have 2cm of padding material so as to protect the fighters from any major injuries in the event. The ring must be checked by the referee to ensure its safety.

8.3 The contestant is allowed to be accompanied by his coach and two corner men. No other person is permitted to be in the corner at the start of the contest.

9.0 Contestants Classification

9.1 Every contestant will be classified according to experience and weight

0- 3 fights= N/D class………….…...2x2 min…………..1 min. rest
4- 8 fights= C class…………….…...3x2 min…………..1 min. rest
9- 16 fights= B class…………..……5x2 min…………..1 min. rest
Over 17 fights= A class……………...7x2 min…………..1 min. rest
National Title Fights……………...….7x2 min…………..1 min. rest
International Title Fights
Like All American or European Title...9x2 min………….1 min. rest
World Title fights. Kickboxing………9x2 min…………..1 min. rest
World Title Fight Full Contact………11x2 min………….1 min. rest 

10.0 Contestants Equipment

10.1 All contestants’ equipment must be I.K.B.F. approved.

10.2 All contestants under the 66.68 kg weight division must wear 8 oz gloves. Contestants over 66.68 kg must wear 10 oz boxing gloves.

10.3 A list of approved equipment will be kept by the I.K.B.F. Headquarters. All male contestants must wear the following protective clothing:

• 8 or 10 oz approved boxing gloves (filling of gloves must be: 2 levels different rubber molding and not more than 30% wool or quilt)

• Mouth guard

• Abdominal protector 

• Long Kickboxing pants or Muay Thai shorts

• Shin guards (fighter’s decision)

• Contact boots that cover the feet

• Bandage must not be longer that 2.5m and wider than 5cm

• All tape must be of cloth material

• It is forbidden to wear any jewellery when competing

• The contestants hands must be checked by the referee before putting his gloves on 

10.4 All female contestants have to wear the protection material under 10.3. Further more they have to wear a chest protector. 

11.0 Full Contact Rules

11.1 Permitting Fighting Techniques 

• All western style boxing techniques

• Spinning back fist

• All eastern and western kicking techniques with use of foot and shins

• Sweeps to the inside and outside of opponents foot 

Forbidden Fighting Techniques 

• Kicks to the inside and outside of opponents leg

• Hammer techniques

• Hitting with the inside of gloves

• Punching to opponents kidneys or neck

• Punching or kicking to opponents groin

• Kneeing or elbow techniques

• Clinching the opponent 

• Throwing the opponent

• Holding the opponents leg after he has kicked

• Holding the opponents arm

• Strikes to joints or spine

• Kicking or punching to opponents back

• Kicking and punching after the referee has instructed the contestant to stop

• Kicking or punching whilst on the floor

• Speaking during the fight

• Head butting

12.0 Kickboxing Rules

12.1 In Kickboxing contests, it is allowed to use low kicks inside and outside to the opponent’s legs.

13.0 Contest being stopped due to an injury

13.1 In the case that a contest has to be stopped due to an injury, the referee will decide whether the injury was due to a foul technique or legitimate technique. The referee has to consult with the three judges as to the above matter before a final decision is made. If it is the decision of the three judges that the technique was a foul technique the injured party would be the winner. If it seems that it is not a foul technique the injured party will be the loser. The person who has committed the offence will be disqualified. The referee can stop the contest at any time if he feels that the contestant is in danger and in his opinion safeguarding the contestant from fatal danger. The contestant will be scored as R.S.C. 

14.0 Suspension

14.1 In the case that the contestant has been knocked out while competing, he or she will be suspended for six weeks. The incident will be noted by the I.K.B.F. international commissioner. It is the national representative’s duty to ensure that suspension is up hold. A knock out occurring in an international bout must be reported to the headquarters.