Judging

	IKF JUDGING How Bout Decisions Are Determined Muay Thai - Unified - International - Full Contact ALL Officials Working An IKF Sanctioned Event Must Be A Minimum of 18 Years of Age!
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ALL EVENT OFFICIALS CAN ONLY BE EVENT OFFICIALS AT AN IKF SANCTIONED EVENT! Officials CAN NOT work a corner for a fighter during a show they are an official on. Officials CAN NOT work with fighters on the event they are officials on. This includes helping with hand wrapping, warming fighters up, etc. etc. Officials of course CAN NOT be an official on a bout where they know or train one or both of the fighters. If you are an official and see a fighter that you know well on a bout you may be assigned to work, it is your duty and responsibility to EXCUSE yourself from the bout so that the event Representative can assign a replacement for you. The IS NOT an issue about our TRUST in you as an IKF Official. Of course we have great trust in your integrity or none of you would be an official with the IKF. This is about the PERCEPTION of what others who are watching may think they are seeing. NONE of us can afford to be or want to be a victim of misunderstood PERCEPTION. JUDGES RULES WHILE AT RINGSIDE Judges shall each be positioned in the middle of one side of the ring. Judges may not speak with anyone during the entire bout. Judges are allowed to speak to the referee during round breaks for any safety issues or if called upon by the referee for their opinion of a possible illegal strike. Judges must keep a MINIMUM of 18 inches between them and anyone else sitting near them. Judges of a bout shall individually score each round by marking their scorecards. Judges shall print and sign each of their scorecards. Judges are always required to circle the winner of a round (If individual round cards) or the bout itself (If Single Bout Scorecards are used). Judges may not leave their seats until the bout decision is announced. JUDGING / SCORING EACH ROUND SCORE EACH AND EVERY ROUND AS A SINGLE FIGHT And EVERY Round Counts towards the final bout total. SCORING CRITERIA ACCURACY & EFFECTIVENESS Number of Strikes that land cleanly on Target. EFFECTIVENESS OF Each STRIKE. If very few blows result in actual Damage, Judges will be required to score on effective strikes hitting clean targets as Judging Points. To understand the "POINTS" better, Here is a good Article: CLICK HERE! DAMAGE The amount of clear physical Damage one fighter does to the other. NOT who threw the harder punches or kicks (Unless there were a lot of them), but who landed the most and did the most damage during the entire round. IN AN EVEN ROUND, ONE good hard punch or a short flurry could win a round for a fighter in a round that up until that moment appeared EVEN to the judge. ONE good hard punch or a short flurry WILL NOT win a round for a fighter in a round that up until that moment was being dominated by the other fighter UNLESS the flurry or strike resulted in a knockdown or standing 8 count. CONTROL / DOMINATION Judges will evaluate which Fighter controlled the bout and the fighting ring best. Judges will evaluate which fighter DOMINATED the bout. Ring Control / Ring Generalship. Physical Conditioning / Endurance. Aggressive Attacks that land clean on a target doing damage. Good defense against their opponents attack. CLOSE ROUNDS Although we would rather see a scored winner of a round, "IF" a judge TRULY feels both fighters appear to have evenly matched skill we would rather see a judge score the bout even at 10-10 instead of simply "Picking" a winner like the toss of a coin. As noted above, ONE good hard punch or a short flurry does not win a round, unless the punch or flurry resulted in the referee administering a standing 8 count or counting over a fighter that was knocked down or the bout was even and in the end, one fighter landed one or several decisive blows that separated his "Dominance" of the round from the other fighter. If both fighters seemed close, depending on the Rule Style (Full Contact, International, Unified, Muay Thai) the fighter with the more effective, accurate and or overall better "Technique For The Fighting Style" should be awarded 10 and the other fighter 9. Here is a good Article on Judging: CLICK HERE! SCORING Judges shall score each fighter between 7 and 10 points for each round. The fighter who dominates the round will be given a 10 while the other fighter a 9. No judge shall give a fighter less than 7 points for a round "UNLESS" there are "Point Deductions". See "POINT DEDUCTIONS" below. 10-10 round, indicates that according to the judge, BOTH fighters showed even or equal skill and no clear winner could be determined by the judge. 10-9 round, indicates one fighter was somewhat more effective than the other or even dominated the round without a knockdown or standing 8 count. A 10-9 could also be given in a round where the dominating fighter was knocked down once in the round. 10-8 round indicates one fighter was in constant control and clearly out fought his opponent as far as technique within the ring "AND" scored a standing 8 count or a knockdown on his/her opponent. The 10 score would be given to the fighter who forced the knockdown or a standing 8 count. 10-7 round indicates total domination by one fighter in all aspects to the point that the referee nearly stopped the fight. There should have been at least 2 standing 8 counts and or 2 clear knockdowns. 9-9 score indicates one or both fighters scored 10, but a point deduction brought the score down to 9-9. Again, these are just some EXAMPLES. There are many other possibilities in final scoring, especially when point deduction, standing 8 counts and knockdowns all intermix together in a single round. KNOCKDOWNS OR STANDING 8 COUNTS ONLY the referee makes the determination whether a fighter was knocked down or needs a standing 8 count. In MuayThai, a fighter can be knocked down and NOT receive a standing 8 count "IF" he/she gets up to their feet "QUICKLY". In some MuayThai Rules this is sometimes called a "FLASH KNOCKDOWN" which is defined as: If the fallen fighter does not rise quickly, the referee will decide whether to give the standing 8 count or not. When a punch, kick or flurry of strikes results in the referee administering a standing 8 count or counting over a fighter that was knocked down, no matter what happened prior to this (Unless there was another standing 8 count earlier or knockdown) the fighter who did not receive the 8 count will ALWAYS be awarded the score of 10 for the round. Even if he was losing the round up until that point. SCORING THE KNOCKDOWN OR STANDING 8 COUNT Scoring a knockdown or standing 8 count is not as easy as giving one fighter 10 and the other 8. For example; If the round was even or the fighter who was not given the standing 8 count was dominating the round, at the end, the round should be scored 10-8. 10 for the fighter who did not get the standing 8 count or knockdown and 8 for the counted fighter. This is the easiest example of judging the standing 8 count or knockdown. If the above fighter who was knocked down was dominating the bout prior to the knockdown or standing 8 count, he will still NOT receive a score of 10. However, he/she "MAY" not receive an 8 either. If the judge feels the fighter who was knocked down was dominating "THE ENTIRE BOUT" other than the "1" knockdown, the judge has the "CHOICE" to score it a 10-9 round rather than a 10-8 round. SCORING A ROUND WITH MULTIPLE KNOCKDOWNS OR 8 COUNTS. If BOTH fighters score standing 8 counts or knockdowns, in the judges mind, the round score goes back to being even. NO Fighter will be given an 8 in the round if there are no other standing 8 counts or knockdowns in the round.. IN A CLOSE ROUND, if one fighter is given a standing 8 count and the other scores a HARD KNOCKDOWN, the judge may give more credit to the HARD KNOCKDOWN. If one fighter is dominating the round and he forces the referee to give more than 1 standing 8 count on a fighter, the judge shall score the round as follows; 10-8, for 1 standing 8 count or knockdown. 10-7, for 2 standing 8 count or knockdown. If a fighter is ready to be given his/her 3rd standing 8 count, the referee will STOP the bout. The bout is over if 3 knockdowns or 3 standing 8 counts occur due to fighter dominance. Sweeps are not counted as knockdowns and in scoring, shall not be given the same evaluation as a knockdown. An effective sweep would be the same as an effective strike. POINT DEDUCTIONS The REFEREE or the IKF Ringside Representative are the ONLY Officials with the authority to give a point deduction to a fighter. In doing so the Referee will stop the bout, hold the fighters wrist/hand who will be given the deduction, face each judge and announce his point deduction(s). In deducting points, each judge will score the round as they saw it. AFTER they score the round, THEN they will deduct the point from the fighter. Knockdowns, standing 8 counts, these ARE NOT POINT DEDUCTIONS. They are scored techniques as noted above in SCORING. Examples of point deductions "That MAY be given by the referee" are; Fouls: One fighter hits the other with an illegal blow or to an illegal target area. SOME point deductions may be made by the referee without holding the fighters wrist/hand. If so, he will come to each judge to inform them personally of the point deduction as well as each fighters corner. Here are some examples of such; In a Full Contact Rules Bout, the first round in which a fighter does not kick the required minimum number of kicks (Am-6, Pros-8) the referee will announce to each judge that there is a -1- point deduction to the fighter who did not meet their minimum kick requirement. If the ringside representative or the referee sees the fighters cornermen/women not following the IKF Cornerman/women rules and regulations, the fighter could be deducted 1 or more points or even be disqualified from the bout. Click for these rules and regulations for cornermen BOUT DECISION ANNOUNCEMENTS NO CONTEST When a no fault foul happens in the first round and 1 or both cannot continue. WINNER, LOSER Unanimous Decision, Majority Decision or Split Decision. DRAW When all 3 Judges score equal points (Draw) for both fighters. EXAMPLE: Judge 1: 28-28 Judge 2: 28-28 Judge 3: 28-28. MAJORITY DRAW When 2 judges score both fighters even (DRAW) like 28-28 and 28-28. The third judge scores for the other fighter a WIN such as 30-28. The "Majority" (2 out of 3) score is the score that always counts for the decision. EXAMPLE: Judge 1: 28-28 Judge 2: 28-28 Judge 3: 30-28 Red. SPLIT DECISION DRAW When 2 judges score it for different fighter's. The third judge scores it a DRAW. EXAMPLE: Judge 1: 29-28 Red. Judge 2: 29-28 Blue. Judge 3: 28-28 Draw. UNANIMOUS DECISION When all 3 judges score the same winner - REGARDLESS of their actual numbers. EXAMPLE 1 Judge 1: 30-27 Judge 2: 30-27. Judge 3: 30-27. EXAMPLE 2 Judge 1: 30-27 Judge 2: 29-28 Judge 3: 30-29. SPLIT DECISION When 2 judges score one fighter a winner - REGARDLESS of their actual numbers. The third judge scores the other fighter a winner. The Fighter with the "Majority" (2 out of 3) of the scores for him or her wins the bout. EXAMPLE: Judge 1: 30-28 Red. Judge 2: 30-28 Red. Judge 3: 30-28 Blue. MAJORITY DECISION When 2 judges score one fighter a winner - REGARDLESS of their actual numbers. The third judge scores both fighters EVEN, as a draw. EXAMPLE: Judge 1: 30-28 Red Corner. Judge 2: 30-28 Red Corner. Judge 3: 28-28 Even. TECHNICAL WIN (TW): TECHNICAL LOSE (TL), TECHNICAL DRAW Usually resulting from a Foul. The outcome of this event was judged by the scorecards of the previous rounds. TECHNICAL FORFEIT, TECHNICAL WIN Usually from a pre-event disqualification or from invalid fight experience: not giving actual experience to the matchmaker prior to the event.) TECHNICAL KNOCKOUT A fighter has been stopped from fighting from taking too many blows or maybe knocked down 3 times in one round, but can still stand or is not knocked "OUT". This is a fighter who is obviously hurt and the referee feels he/she cannot continue any longer. Any fighter who loses their bout by TECHNICAL KNOCKOUT will be suspended from Fighting for 45 days. If the TKO (TECHNICAL KNOCKOUT) stop was not due to a headblow the fighter, trainer and or manager may make a request in Writing to the IKF Headquarters for a "Suspension Waiver". Examples of bouts that end with a TKO decision that "Could" be accepted for "Suspension Waiver". are: A stop from an injury, except broken bones. (EX: Pulled muscle, twisted ankle etc.) Stop from a body blow that did not do any internal damage or break any bones. Fighter was simply too tired to continue. To read more detail about the suspension rules and regulations Click HERE. KNOCKOUT A fighter shall be awarded a knockout if he knocks his opponent to the ring floor and the opponent is OUT COLD by the count of 10. In the IKF, a "KNOCKOUT" indicates that a fighter was "OUT COLD" after a strike. Any fighter who loses their bout by KO, or KNOCKOUT will be suspended from Fighting for 45 days. It is the responsibility of the fighter, trainer and manager to respect and abide by this rule for the personal safety of their own fighter. Their are no "Suspension Waivers" allowed for true KNOCKOUT loses. This is for the protection of the fighters. To read more detail about the suspension rules and regulations Click HERE. DISQUALIFICATION Usually the decision after an excessive Foul (or 1 harsh Foul.). The IKF Referee and IKF Ringside Representative shall make such a decision. FOR EXAMPLE: If a fighter is injured from a Foul, and the fight continues, but is later stopped because of additional injury to the fouled area, the score cards will be tallied. If the fighter fouling is ahead on the score cards a TECHNICAL DRAW will be the result of the fight. If the fighter not fouling is ahead, he will be awarded a TW (Technical Win) and the fighter fouling will be awarded a TL (Technical Loss) or DISQUALIFICATION. BOUTS SCORED WITH SINGLE BOUT SCORECARDS At the end of each bout, the referee shall collect the scorecards from each judge and bring them to the IKF representative at ringside. The scorekeeper or the IKF Representative shall then check all the scores on each individual card. Once all scores have been confirmed, IKF Representative hands the final result to the Ring Announcer on an IKF Announcement Card. The scores shall be read in totals of each judge as stated on the official announcement card. as the ring announcer announces the winner by corner color first and than the fighter's name. BOUTS SCORED WITH SINGLE ROUND SCORECARDS At the end of each ROUND, the referee shall collect the scorecards from each judge and bring them to the IKF representative at ringside. The scorekeeper or the IKF Representative shall log each round score under each judges section of the master scoresheet. Once the bout is over and the last scorecards have been collected, the IKF representative totals all the judges cards and hands the final result to the Ring Announcer. The scores shall be read in totals of each judge as stated on the official announcement card. as the ring announcer announces the winner by corner color first and than the fighter's name. AFTER A BOUT IS COMPLETED *Regardless of how a bout ends, Ring Officials (Mainly Referees & Judges) are not allowed to:* Discuss their opinions of the bout whether they be criticism or praise with anyone. Make any Social Media Posts (Facebook, Twitter, etc. etc.) Give any interviews with anyone from media / press, fight fans, associates of either fighter, family, trainers, friends, etc. Any such actions are only allowed if the official has received "Written" permission from the IKF Headquarters office. OVERRULING A BOUT DECISION The IKF reserves the right to over-rule any of these decisions based on facts and circumstances related to the situation. BOUT PROTEST An Official Bout Protest is allowed when a member of the losing fighters camp feels that the final decision was inaccurate according to the Sitting Judges. Once an official protest has been filed (Click Here to see procedures) the IKF will: Send the footage or a link of the bout footage to a minimum of 7 IKF Judges around the world NOT associated with the event or anyone involved. The IKF will make public their decision between 10 to 21 days after the scheduled event. () This is simply because it takes time to first get the bout footage, send it out, wait for the judges to reply back with their results, then determine the final decision. Once the results are returned, the IKF has the following options: Confirm the same winner is still the winner. If a Majority (4-3, 5-2, Judges Vote) comes back with the losing fighter winning the Majority of Judges cards, the IKF could rule the bout a draw. If a VAST Majority (6-2, 7-0, Judges Vote) comes back with the losing fighter winning, the IKF would reverse the actual decision of the bout. For Bout Protests Info, CLICK HERE. IKF INTERNAL REVIEW An Internal Review is created when the "Sitting/Attending" Chief IKF Event Representative and or another IKF Lead Official sees a possibility of a questionable decision. Internal Reviews may take up to 3 weeks to complete. This is because footage of the bout is sent out to not just IKF Event Officials but other Officials around the world, some even associated with other Sanctioning Bodies. Once an IKF INTERNAL REVIEW has been created the IKF will: Send the footage or a link of the bout footage to a minimum of 15 Judges (Of the same fighting rule style of the bout in question) around the world NOT associated with the event or anyone involved. The IKF will make public their decision between 10 to 21 days after the scheduled event. () This is simply because it takes time to first get the bout footage, send it out, wait for the judges to reply back with their results, then determine the final decision. Once the results are returned, the IKF has the following options: Confirm the same winner is still the winner. If a Majority (Anything Between 60% - 84% of the voting Judges) comes back with the losing fighter winning the Majority of Judges cards, the IKF could rule the bout a draw. If a VAST Majority (Anything above 85% of the voting Judges) comes back with the losing fighter winning, the IKF would reverse the actual decision of the bout.
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