Amateur Shooto Official Rule -Eng.
Japan Shooto Association
Amateur Shooto Official Rule
Chapter 1. Official match
Article 1. Official match
Official match means the match, which is approved and authorized by Japan Shooto Association (hereafter called JSA). JSA shall have the right to cancel the official match after the date of approval.
Article 2. Round
(1) One-match fight generally consists of two (2) rounds. Each round consists of three (3) minutes and there shall be one (1) minute intervals between each round.
(2) A tournament fight generally consists of a single four (4)-minute round, except for the tournament final, which consists of two (2) rounds, and each round consists of three (3) minutes. There shall be a two (2)-minute extra round if there is no point difference after the final round of the tournament final as a result of the scoring. There shall be one (1) minute intervals between each round, if each fighter has same caution points or not caution point.
Article 3. Judgment
The fight shall be judged by one (1) referee and two (2) or three (3) sub-referees certified by JSA.
Chapter 2. Judges
Article 4. Qualification
Referee and sub-referees (hereafter called judges) shall be experienced in Shooto and fully conversant with its techniques, philosophy, and rules.
Article 5. Improvement in judgment
Judges shall hold meetings to take remedial steps about the rules and techniques in judgment as necessary.
Article 6. Neutrality and fairness
Judges shall be neutral and fair.
Article 7. Iniquity
Judges shall strictly refuse any iniquity such as a bribe or a threat.
Article 8. Disqualification
If a judge makes mistakes in applying the rules or any mistakes in judgment by negligence, he/she shall be disqualified or suspended after deliberation by JSA.
Chapter 3. Fighters
Article 9. Discipline
All fighters shall follow the articles below;
(1) A fighter shall register to JSA in order to participate the official amateur match in Japan. Oversea residents will be exempt. (Even if oversea residents, a fighter who has a tattoo on his/her body regardless of its place and size, shall submit a blood test result same as the article 10 in Japan)
(2) A fighter shall report to the venue by thirty (30) minutes before the first match.
(3) A fighter shall take the medical examination and pass it before matches.
(4) A fighter shall be accompanied by a cornerman.
(5) A fighter shall not come out of the fighting area without the referee’s permission once the match starts. If he/she gets the permission of the referee, the officials of JSA (hereafter called the officials) shall accompany him/her.
(6) A fighter shall immediately leave the fighting area when the match is over.
(7) A fighter shall wear a mouthpiece and a male fighter shall wear a protector for the groin of his own. Safety of his/her mouthpiece and protector for the groin are on his/her own responsibility. A female fighter may wear an abdomen guard at her discretion.
(8) A fighter shall be allowed to use tapings to the joint parts, however, he/she shall wear supporters onto them to fix the tapings if the officials required.
(9) The usage of Vaseline, oil, grease or any other chemicals, cosmetics, and hairdressing materials to the body or hair shall not be allowed as they might hinder the fight.
(10) A fighter shall not wear any metal accessories like finger rings, necklace or pierced earrings.
Article 10. Application
All fighters shall follow the articles below;
(1) A fighter shall submit the specified registration fee and the filled application form prescribed by JSA prior to the match on the day of the match, attached with the face photograph (front face with no cap) taken within three month, which must be distinguished clearly as the applicant.
(2) A fighter who has a tattoo on his/her body regardless of its place and size shall submit a blood test result (HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C) done within one month. Registration shall not be accepted if the risk of the virus infection to others is suspected.
(3) The minor shall submit the consent of the parental authority.
Article 11. Cancellation, Suspension
When the registered person violates the rule or the law and JSA judges that he/she lacks the qualification, his/her registration shall be cancelled or suspended for the period JSA specifies.
(1) A fighter disqualified for violates the rules is suspended for 30 days.
(2) A fighter lost by KO due to strikes to the head is suspended for 60 days. Furthermore, this suspension period should be applied the fighter lost by KO due to head striking, participating in any other competition or match.
(3) A fighter in excess of the regulated weight at weigh-in is suspended for 60 days.
(3) A fighter to be absent without notice is suspended for 180 days. Furthermore, this suspension period should be applied to be absent without legitimate reason permitted by JSA. In the case of the default by injury or sick before the competition day, a fighter should be submitted the medical certificate to JSA.
Chapter 4. Cornerman
Article 12. Cornerman
Each fighter may have up to three (3) cornermen, including one (1) chief cornerman.
Article 13. Prohibitions
Cornermen shall follow the articles below. A cornerman who received warnings twice shall be ordered to leave, and he/she shall be suspended for 24 hours.
(1) Only the chief cornerman shall be allowed to enter the fighting area before the match or during intervals.
(2) When a “Second out” call is made by the referee, a cornerman shall leave the fighting area with everything he/she brought into the fighting area.
(3) A cornerman shall not touches a fighter during the match no matter it is on or off the fighting area.
(4) A cornerman shall not enter the fighting area during rounds at any circumstances.
(5) A cornerman shall refrain from ill-mannered behaviors.
Article 14. Things to use
Cornermen are allowed to use the following things;
(1) Water
(2) Bottle
(3) Bucket
(4) Ice
(5) Adhesive tape
(6) Scissors
(7) Gauze
(8) Cotton
(9) Swab
(10) Towel
(11) Watch (Setting for silent-mode or no sound mode)
(12) Anti-swelling-pad
(13) Styptic
(14) Chair
Chapter 5. Weight classes
Article 15. Weight classes
Weight classes are as follows;
Atom weight : under 47.6kg（-105lb）
Straw weight : under 52.2kg（-115lb）
Fly weight : under 56.7kg（-125lb）
Bantam weight : under 61.2kg（-135lb）
Feather weight : under 65.8kg（-145lb）
Light weight : under 70.3kg（-155lb）
Welter weight : under 77.1kg（-170lb）
Middle weight : under 83.9kg（-185lb）
Light heavy weight : under 93.0kg（-205lb）
Heavy weight : under 120.2kg（-265lb）
Super heavy weight : over 110kg (no limit)（+265lb）
Chapter 6. Weighing in
Article 16. Weighing in
All fighters shall report to the specified place at specified time that JSA decide (that shall be generally within 24hours before the first match) and shall weigh in undressed in the presence of the officials. A fighter who is late for weighing in or does not show up without a due cause shall be disqualified. In case he/she has a due cause, he/she shall weigh at the time officials specified again. All fighters shall be checked their nails and hair at the time of weighing in and shall take some action to their nails and hair if the officials required.
Article 17. Being out of the weight limit
Fighters may weigh in many times during the specified period of time if their weights are beyond the confines of their classes. He/she who does not meet the weight limit by the end of the specified period of time shall be disqualified.
Chapter 7. Fighting area
Article 18. Fighting area
Fighting area shall satisfy the following conditions.
(1) Fighting area shall be a boxing ring surrounded by three (3) or four (4) levels of ropes, a cage fenced by wire net, a wrestling mat, or a Judo mat which JSA approved.
(2) The floor of the fighting area must be flat and have some extra space.
(3) The floor of the fighting area must be as hard as wrestling mat or Tatami.
(4) One of the two (2) corners in diagonal that the fighters enter from shall be the red corner, and the other one shall be the blue corner. The rest of the corners shall be neutral. Seats for the officials shall be placed by the fighting area, and two (2) seats for sub-referees shall separately be placed on opposite side of the fighting area.
(5) The fighting area shall be well lighted for matches to be done smoothly.
Chapter 8. Gloves
Article 19. Shooto Gloves
All fighters shall wear leather Shooto gloves approved by JSA, which are open-finger type.
In the match, both fighters must use gloves of the same type and size, equipping of gloves that are different from each other with size and shape are not permitted.
Article 20. Sizes of Gloves
(1) ST-555 as manufactured by Winning
The sizes of gloves shall be as follows;
Atom weight – Feather weight: the knuckle part is 25mm thick (size S, SS)
Light weight – Welter weight: the knuckle part is 30mm thick (size M)
Over Middle weight: the knuckle part is 35mm thick (size L)
(2) ST-777 as manufactured by Winning / SHO-4 as manufactured by Isami
The sizes of gloves shall be as follows;
Atom weight – Bantam weight: the knuckle part is 20mm thick (size S)
Feather weight – Welter weight: the knuckle part is 25mm thick (size M)
Over Middle weight: the knuckle part is 30mm thick (size L)
Article 21. Wearing of Gloves
All fighters shall properly wear gloves that are examined by JSA. Gloves must be covered with plastic tapes around the wrist to be fixed.
Article 22. Tampering
Gloves shall not be tampered, such as, displacing the stuffing in the knuckle parts or deforming gloves.
Chapter 9. Bandages
Article 23. Usage
Bandages and adhesive tapes shall be used only to protect the knuckle part.
Article 24. Directions
Bandages shall be approved by JSA, made of fabric. Without Bandages, adhesive tapes shall be wrapped around the knuckle part, wrist or finger for a maximum of 2 times. With Bandages, adhesive tape may be used in order to fix the bandages for a maximum of 2 times, although it must not be applied to the knuckle part.
Article 25. Examination
All fighters shall go through the examination of their bandages and self-adhesive tapes by the officials after wearing them and shall not make any adjustments to them once they are examined.
Chapter 10. Equipment
Article 26. Fighter’s equipment
All fighters shall wear head guard, kneepad, shin guard which is approved by JSA, to cover a head, knees, shins, and insteps.
Article 27. Prohibition
All fighters shall not wear equipment, which is deteriorated in quality and performance
Chapter 11. Dress code
Article 28. Fight shorts code
Fighters may wear fight shorts that shall be approved by JSA and do not protect own from the opponent’s offense. Female fighters shall wear T-shirt or leotard that do not protect own upper body from the opponent’s offense. The color of the tights shall be the same color as their own corner (red, blue or similar colors).
Article 29. Prohibition
Male fighters shall fight naked to the waist. All fighters shall fight barefoot and shall not wear any clothes that do not meet the dress code.
Chapter 12. Hygiene
Article 30. Hygiene of fighters
All fighters shall follow the articles below;
(1) A fighter shall keep own body and hair clean and hygienic.
(2) A fighter shall wear dry and clean clothes and protectors that have no unpleasant smell.
(3) A fighter shall have own fingernails and toenails cut not to scratch the opponent’s skin.
(4) A fighter shall bundle own hair if the officials tell him/her so.
(5) A fighter shall be shaved own beard beforehand or shall keep own beard length with feeling of cleanliness enough not to give the opponent an unpleasant feeling. A fighter shall not apply a hair conditioner (design wax or cream etc.).
Chapter 13. Issues of matches
Article 31. Issues of matches
Issues of matches are as follows;
(1) Knock Out (hereafter called KO)
A case that the referee judges that it is impossible to continue the match due to a damage of a fighter from the opponent’s hit or throwing.
(2) Technical Knock Out (hereafter called TKO)
a. A case that the referee judges that it is impossible to continue the match due to an injury of a fighter from the opponent’s hit, throwing, or submission technique.
b. A case that the doctor judges that it is impossible to continue the match due to an injury or damage of a fighter from the opponent’s hit, throwing, or submission technique.
c. A fighter is bleeding excessively regardless of damage
d. A case that a fighter who has been hit or thrown loses a will to fight or he/she shows a will to give up fighting.
e. A case that a cornerman throws a towel into the fighting area during the match or he/she declares a fighter’s withdrawal from the match.
(3) Ippon (Submission)
A case that a fighter who has been put through a joint lock or a choke says “Give up” or taps own hands or legs on the floor or the opponent’s body to indicate a will to give up fighting.
(4) Technical Ippon (Technical Submission)
When the referee judges that the joint lock or the choke is completely submitted.
(5) Decision
Each judge has one equal vote, the fighter who acquires two or more votes after the final round shall become a winner, and another shall become a loser.
For less than two votes, the only one side fighter who is given yellow card shall become a loser. In the case of both fighters who are (or not) given yellow card, it shall be a draw for less than two votes. Once a decision is made, it cannot be changed by anyone but JSA, except for the case that there have been mistakes in recording or adding up the scores.
(6) Technical Decision
When it is impossible to continue the match due to an accidental injury or damage of either or both fighters, or due to any event, like a disaster or breakage of equipment.
(7) In case of draw after the final match of a tournament fight, there shall be a two (2)-minute extra round. Then the judges evaluate and score only the extra round.
(8) Reduction of point and Disqualification by violation
a. When a fighter uses a minor foul play regardless whether it is accidental or deliberate, he/she will give a ‘caution’ call at the 1st time and yellow card at the 2nd time by the referee. A fighter given yellow card shall be reduced 1 point. At 3rd time, he/she shall be disqualified.
b. A fighter shall be given yellow card or be disqualified without the caution when the foul behavior and action is malicious. If the fighter repeatedly uses foul behavior in spite of being given yellow card by referee, he/she shall be disqualified.
c. Decision shall be not influenced by the only given a ‘caution’ call. Even if a fighter gives an only ‘caution’ call, it shall be a draw for less than two votes. In case of draw after the final match of a tournament fight, there shall be an extra round.
d. When the referee determined that a fighter is unable to continue fighting after getting injured and/or damaged from the opponent’s foul, the opponent shall be disqualified. The match can be carried on at the referee’s discretion after giving the injured fighter a rest for a certain period of time.
Chapter 14. Scoring
Article 32. Points on techniques
Each fighter shall be given ten (10) points at each round, which shall be deducted by two (2) sub-referees on the following basis;
10 – 10: An even match (Both fighter’s offence and defense are just even)
10 – 9: When the one is slightly better than the other in offense (Effective attacks)
10 – 8: When the one is clearly better than the other in offense. (Knock down with no damage, almost to knock down, or almost to be submitted)
10 – 7: When the one is overwhelmingly superior to the other. (Nearly KO or TKO)
Article 33. Scoring criteria for techniques
Priorities of evaluation in scoring are in the order presented below;
(1) Clean effective offence (effective attacks)
Attacks that give the opponent some damage
(2) Aggressiveness
Attacks that are recognized as aggressive and effective even though there is no damage to the opponent
(3) Ring generalship (Dominant position)
When it is seemed that a fighter keeps making the opponent’s attacks ineffective
Article 34. Must System
In a tournament match, the judges shall not score to be even and shall score with mastery, including the final.
Chapter 15. Position
Article 35. Position
Standing position means the state that no area of fighter’s body besides the bottom of foot touches the ground. Ground position means the state that any area of fighter’s body besides the bottom of foot touches the ground continuously.
Chapter 16. Don’t move
Article 36. Don’t move
The referee shall give a “Don’t move” call to both fighters when a fighter comes out of the fighting area or almost to come out. A “Don’t move” call shall be also given when the clothes or protectors of the fighter come off or near to come off. Once a “Don’t move” call is announced, both fighters shall stop moving immediately and stay as they are till the referee tells them to continue to fight.
Chapter 17. Break
Article 37. Break
(1) If the referee decides that the offense and defense is brought to a standstill besides a passive fight, the referee shall give a “Action” call to one side or both fighters. When the fighter remains a passive fight after the “Action” call, or when a fighter could not stay still after a “Don’t move” call is announced regardless whether it is accidental or intentional, a “Break” call shall be given to both fighters and resume fighting in a stand position.
(2) “Break” call shall be given to both fighters when one fighter lift the opponent up to the waist and keep the same state, except for back position. After fighters shall immediately stop fighting on a “Break” call, fighters resume fighting in a stand position.
Chapter 18. Foul actions and behaviors
Article 38. Foul action and behavior
The following action and behavior are defined as foul;
(1) Prohibited actions
a. Head-butting
b. Striking with one’s elbow or forearm
c. Striking with one’s hand except for the knuckle part
d. Striking to the back of the head of the opponent
e. Attacking to the spine of the opponent
f. Attacking to knee joints of the opponent from the front
g. Any attacks to the fingers of the opponent
h. Any attacks to the groin or abdomen of the opponent
i. Submission applying one’s body weight in the stand position
j. Striking except for the knuckle part in the ground position or to the downed opponent
k. Striking to the head and face in the ground position or to the downed opponent
l. Holding the head of the opponent from behind and submitting his/her neck applying one’s body weight
m. Throwing technique that the opponent falls from the head to the floor
n. Grabbing the head of the opponent and pounding the back of his/her head to the floor
o. Lifting the opponent and pounding the top of his/her head, the back of his/her head, or his/her back to the floor, except for non-stopping throwing technique
p. Stomping to the instep
q. Attacking to the kidney
r. Spinning back fist
(2) Prohibited behaviors
a. Biting or pushing one’s teeth against the opponent
b. Scratching with one’s nails
c. Putting one’s fingers into the eyes, the nostrils, the ears, the mouth or the anus of the opponent
d. Pressing one’s elbow or jaw on the eyes of the opponent
e. Pinching the skin of the opponent
f. Grabbing the hair, the throat, the nose, the ears, or the groin of the opponent
g. Pressing the throat of the opponent with the finger or the palm
h. Grabbing less than three (3) fingers of the opponent at a time
i. Grabbing the clothes or equipment of the opponent
j. Pushing or hitting the face or the throat of the opponent against the ropes or the corner-matt
k. Using the ropes or the corner-matt as a fulcrum of lever for submission techniques
l. Catching the ropes, the corner-matt or the wire gauze with one’s fingers. (Pushing or kicking to the ropes, the corner-matt or the wire gauze are allowed.)
m. Resuming fighting before the referee tells so after a “Don’t move” call or a “Break” call has been announced.
n. Attacking by the movement that a head attaches to the mat first with the posture bending forward.
o. Attacking the opponent during intervals
p. Causing the opponent being out of the fighting area on purpose
q. Fighting passively
r. Not following the referee’s instructions
s. Being offensive or any insulting behavior to the opponent or the judges
t. Uttering a startling or a loud sound
u. Conversation between both fighters
v. Action to overpower the spinal cord of the opponent forcibly
w. Intertwining the fingers of both fighters
(3) Escaping
a. Getting out of the fighting area intentionally
b. Behaviors that cause the suspension of the match, such as, spitting one’s mouthpiece out intentionally.
(4) Buck fight
a. A fixed fight by a fighter or both
b. Having a fight that is just for show, fighting with conspiracy, or not fighting with all one’s power
(5) Ill-mannered behavior
Behaviors that the referee regards as ill mannered
Chapter 19. Filing suit
Article 39. Filing suit
A fighter may file a suit for the match or to any other troubles to JSA in written form within one (1) week from the date of the match, and JSA shall deliberate on the matter and work towards solving the problems.
Chapter 20. Referee
Article 40. Referee
The referee shall have all the rights to make decision on the official matches. He/she shall keep a careful watch on matches for rules to be respected and to ensure the safety of fighters so that the matches can be done smoothly.
Article 41. Dress code
Dress code for the referee shall be as follows;
(1) The referee shall be dressed in clean and tidy clothes that allow him/her to move agilely.
(2) The referee shall be barefoot or wear shoes like wrestling shoes that allow him/her to move agilely.
(3) The referee shall not wear a wristwatch, or any other metal accessories like finger rings. Metal belt buckles also should possibly be avoided. Glasses can be worn using a glasses lace.
Article 42. Functions
The functions of the referee are as follows;
(1) The referee shall check if the fighting area equipment is correctly set up and if the officials are placed in a predetermined order before matches.
(2) The referee shall body check both fighters on their entrance into the fighting area to make sure there is no breach of the rules.
(3) The referee shall make brief remarks about the rules at the center of the ring area that fighters should be aware of, and then the fighter shall put them on standby at their own corners. Then the referee shall give a beginning signal of fight to timekeeper, after making sure that there is nobody on the ring area but the referee and fighters.
(4) The referee shall move around the fighting area during matches not to obstruct fights but to observe fighter’s offense and defense clearly.
(5) The referee shall judge with neutral and fair at each round, and shall enter the score in scorecards to the official chairman.
(6) The referee shall suspend a fight and call the official doctor for a medical check in case a fighter is injured or bleeding.
(7) The referee shall discontinue the match in a case he/she judges that it is impossible to continue the match due to an injury or damage of one fighter from the opponent’s hit, throwing, or submission technique.
(8) The referee shall discontinue the match in a case that a fighter who has been hit or thrown loses a will to fight, a fighter shows a will to give up fighting, a cornerman throws a towel or baton into the fighting area during the match, or a cornerman declares a fighter’s withdrawal from the match.
(9) The referee shall discontinue the match in a case that a fighter who has been put through a joint lock or a choke indicate a will to give up fighting or the referee judges that the joint lock or the choke is completely submitted.
(10) When the issue of the match is decided as Ippon or KO before the end of the final round, the referee shall indicate that the match is over by waving his/her hands above the head several times.
(11) When the offense and defense is brought to a standstill, the referee shall give a “Action” call to one side or both fighters. When the fighter remains a passive fight after the “Action” call, the referee shall make a “Break” call and separate the fighters immediately and have them resume fighting from their standing position.
(12) When a fighter is near to come out of the fighting area during the fight, the referee shall make a “Don’t move” call, and he/she, together with sub-referees shall move the fighters with keeping them in the state of no motion to other spot. Then referee shall restart the fighting at the center area.
(13) When the clothes or equipment of a fighter come off or near to come off during the fight, the referee shall make the fighter straighten own clothes or equipment immediately not to obstruct the fight.
(14) The referee shall call “Fight” and thrust out of his arm when the fighters command to start, to continue, or to encourage the fights.
(15) When a fighter uses a foul technique regardless of whether it is accidental or intentional, the referee shall suspend the match and give the fighter a warning as needed.
(16) When a fighter uses a foul behavior and action regardless of whether it is accidental or intentional, the referee shall be given a ‘caution’ call with thumb up of the hand with corner color’s wristband of the violation fighter’s side, or yellow card. Then, a fighter shall notify the fighter’s corner color who gets caution or yellow card and the reason, to the official chairman and two sub-referees.
(17) The referee shall make a “Stop” call when the referee shall suspend or discontinue the match.
(18) The referee shall make a “Time” call and T-sign with own hands to the timekeeper when a fighter intends to suspend or discontinue matches. The referee shall make a “Fight” call to the timekeeper when the fighter intends to restart timekeeping.
(19) When the referee discontinues the match, a fighter shall notify the reason of discontinuation to the official chairman.
(20) During each interval, the referee shall notify both fighters of what round the next one is. The referee shall also inquire whether the fighters still have their will to continue fighting or shall give warnings to the fighters as needed.
(21) The referee shall collect the scorecards from the sub-referees on score counting, and submit them to the official chairman.
(22) When the match is over, the referee shall raise the winner’s arm to indicate who the winner is. When the match ends in a draw at the one-match fight he/she shall raise both fighters’ arms to indicate that the result is a draw.
(23) When there is a risk of injury caused by that a fighter comes out or falls out of the fighting area during the fight, the referee shall save the fighter by that fighter’s body is caught and kept inside of the fighting area.
Article 43. Authorities
The referee shall have the following authorities;
(1) The referee shall have the right to discontinue the match and decide the issue of it when he/she judges it is impossible to continue the match due to an injury or damage of a fighter who has been hit, thrown or been put through a submission technique.
(2) The referee shall have the right to discontinue the match and decide the issue of it when he/she judges that one’s submission or constriction technique has a perfect effect on the opponent.
(3) The referee shall have the right to disqualify a fighter who intentionally uses foul techniques after giving the fighter warnings several times or even with a single warning.
(4) If a fighter commits fouls even not during rounds, the referee shall have the right to give the fighter a warning and a reduction of points.
(5) When a fighter gets damaged from a foul action by the opponent, the referee shall have the right to give the fighter a rest to recover and resume the match.
(6) When a fighter does not follow the referee’s instruction to resume the match and does not show a will to fight, the referee shall decide the match as TKO to make that fighter the loser.
(7) If the referee could not make sure of Ippon, foul or the like, he/she shall have the right to ask for opinions of the official chairman or the sub-referees.
(8) The referee shall have the right to ask for opinions of the official chairman or the sub-referees regarding to give a ‘caution’ call, yellow card or the like.
(9) The referee shall have the right to make a request for the sub-referees’ assistance in the state that a “Don’t move” call has been announced.
(10) The referee shall have the right to ask for the official doctor’s judgment whether it is possible to continue the match due to an injury or damage of a fighter.
(11) If any event, like a unexperimental accidents or a breakage of facilities, which makes impossible to continue the match happened, the referee shall have the right to discontinue the match.
Chapter 21. Sub-referee
Article 44. Sub-referee
Sub-referees shall be seated at sub-referees seats and shall watch matches calmly and carefully to be done smoothly giving appropriate advice to the referee as needed.
Article 45. Functions
The functions of a sub-referee are as follows;
(1) Sub-referee shall be scoring to fight only for effective techniques with neutral and fair judgment at each round, and shall enter the scorecard to present them to the referee.
(2) Sub-referee shall claim about foul actions or gestures of a fighter to show to give up fighting, which the referee could not see.
(3) On a “Don’t move“ call, if the referee requested, sub-referees shall immediately enter the fighting area and help the referee move fighters to the other spot where the fighters can continue fighting with keeping the fighters in the state of no motion.
(4) If the referee request, sub-referees shall give opinions for the referee regarding to give a ‘caution’ call, yellow card or the like.
(5) When there is a risk of injury caused by that a fighter comes out or falls out of the fighting area during the fight, sub-referees shall save the fighter by that fighter’s body is caught and kept inside of the fighting area.
(The othes staff approved by JSA also shall take up one’s post.)
Chapter 22. Timekeeper
Article 46. Timekeeper
A timekeeper shall be seated at the official seats and shall check time strictly using a precise watch.
Article 47. Functions
The functions of a timekeeper are as follows;
(1) A timekeeper shall show by ringing a gong, a bell or a hone at the beginning and the end of each round.
(2) A timekeeper shall demand to the announcer to announce a “Second out” call before the beginning of each round.
(3) On the referee’s “Time” call, a timekeeper shall stop timekeeping, and on the referee’s “Fight” call, he/she shall restart timekeeping.
(4) When the issue of the fight is decided before the finishing just the final round, a timekeeper shall ring a gong, a bell or a hone to inform that the match is over and shall record the time.
Chapter 23. Announcer
Article 48. Announcer
An announcer shall progress the match smoothly by his/her clear announcement.
Article 49. Functions
The functions of an announcer are as follows;
(1) An announcer shall announce the following items prior to matches: Weight class, Number of rounds, Names of fighters, Weights of fighters, Names of judges.
(2) An announcer shall announce a “Second out” call at 10 seconds before the beginning of each round.
(3) When the fight is over, an announcer shall announce the finished time. Then an announcer shall announce the name of the winner and the determinant factor of the issue of the fight.
(4) An announcer shall announce the matters that the officials required.
(5) An announcer shall not announce the thing except what JSA recognized officially.
Chapter 24. Official doctor
Article 50. Official doctor
The official doctor shall be approved by ISC, and he/she shall be expert in sports medicine and shall be fully conversant in Shooto with its techniques and rules.
Article 51. Functions
The functions of the official doctor are as follows;
(1) On the day of the fights, the official doctor shall give all the fighters medical examinations before and after fights, then he/she shall make suggestions to the ISC as needed, whether it is possible for the fighters to participate in the match.
(2) The official doctor shall be seated at the official seats by the fighting area, and he/she shall give fighters medical examinations during fights on the referee’s request. The official doctor shall make suggestions to the referee whether it is possible for the fighters to continue fighting or not.
Edited by Japan Shooto Association secretariat
Partially revised on March 5, 2008/ Enforced on June 8, 2008
Partially revised on June 15, 2009/ Enforced on September 23, 2009
Partially revised on April 1, 2011/ Enforced on April 1, 2011
Partially revised on December 30, 2011/ Enforced on January 1, 2012
Partially revised on October 30, 2014/ Enforced on January 1, 2015
Partially revised on November 15, 2014/ Enforced on January 1, 2015
Partially revised on January 16, 2015/ Enforced on January 25, 2015
Partially revised on May 13, 2016/ Enforced on May 15, 2016
Partially revised on September 28, 2016/ Enforced on October 9, 2016
Partially revised on January 1, 2017/ Enforced on February 15, 2017
Partially revised on April 19, 2019/ Enforced on May 19, 2019
