Individual Fighting System Rules (in brief)

Mat Area	12 x 12 Meters Total
Duration of match	Two x 2 minute rounds
Equipment	Fighters must wear protective hand and shin/instep pads. Groin protection is mandatory.
Legal Techniques	a. strikes (hand or foot) above the waistline b. throws c. arm and leg locks d. strangulations e. pinning techniques
Illegal Techniques	Any technique which is dangerous and could cause serious injury
Referees	One center referee and two side referees
Each contest begins in the center of the mat area. The fighters must show their abilities in each of three areas - striking with the hands or the feet (atemi-waza); throws (nage-waza); groundwork (osae-komi-waza). As soon as one or the other fighter makes contact with an atemi, either of them can move into nage-waza. They must strike before moving into throws. When moving into the grapple, simultaneous striking is allowed at the moment of contact. Osae-komi must be preceded by a throw or takedown. Once on the floor, they can start with groundwork techniques.
Scoring	Points are awarded as follows: a. ONE point (wazari) for a good technique which is partially blocked; b. TWO points (ippon) for a technique which is not blocked. c. ONE point (wazari) for a hold-down which lasts for more than 10 seconds, but less then 20; d. TWO points (ippon) for lock or strangulation submission (while standing) or hold-down lasting for 20 seconds; e. THREE points (ippon) for lock or strangulation submission when on the ground.
Penalties	ONE or TWO point penalties are awarded for passivity, for excessive force and for illegal techniques. An accumulation of penalty points can result in a fighter be disqualified.
The fighter who has accumulated the most points at the end of the two rounds is declared the winner. If one figher achieves an IPPON in each of the three elements (atemi-waza, nage-waza and osae-komi-waza) within the two rounds, he or she is immediately declared the winner of the contest.