Official Rules

Amateur SAN DA / SHOU FIGHTING (revised 2-4-10)

Compiled by: Sifu Ray Hildreth for the Mid America San Shou League (MASSL)


Statement of purpose: Sanda competition at the amateur level requires a special set of guidelines and rules designed for the protection of the athletes.

Officials: Chief Referee, Center Referee and Side Judges.

Athletes: Adults 18 yrs and up or Juniors 12 - 17 yrs w/written permission from a parent or guardian. Athletes must be in excellent health and good condition, free of previous and disqualifying injuries, free of life threatening and transmittable diseases. All athletes must have proof of medical insurance and sign the Tournament Director/Promoter's waiver form.


Match Making: When using a tournament format, the initial Matches will be arranged by the Promoter or Chief Referee with consideration given to each fighters experience level and Club Affiliation. All subsequent Matches will be determined by the Flow Chart.

When using a Single Match format the Match-ups will be approved by the Fighter and his Coach exclusively.

Matches: Amateur bouts are Single Elimination. The winner will be decided by the best of three 2-minute rounds w/1-minute rest periods. Other ways for a winner to be declared is by a Knock Out, Technical Knock Out, Forfeiture, Absolute Victory or Disqualification.

The following are instances where a match may be called before the expiration of the scheduled time limits:

  1. Where a competitor is sent to the floor and cannot get up to continue the contest before the Center Referee finishes the 10 Count, it will be scored as a Knock Out for the Athlete sending his opponent to the floor.
  2. Two standing 8-counts in one round results in loss of that round to the Athlete receiving the two standing 8-counts.
  3. Three standing 8-counts in a match will result in a Technical Knock Out and loss of the match to the Athlete receiving the three standing 8-counts.
  4. Two times off the mat in the same round results in loss of that round.
  5. Where an athlete is obviously over-matched by his opponent in power or skill/technique, the Center Referee or Chief Referee may declare Absolute Victory.
  6. In the instance where an Athlete may be unable to continue due to unintentional injury, illness or outside interference, etc. the match will be declared a Forfeit and the remaining Athlete will be declared the winner.
  7. In the Instance where an Athlete is charged with willful disobedience of the match rules and/or unsportsmanlike conduct, that Athlete will be Disqualified and his opponent declared the winner.


Scoring and techniques that score: The Chief Referee and/or the Side Judges will score each round to determine a winner. Judges will not score punches traded for punches, kicks traded for kicks or knees traded for knees. The following guidelines will be used in determining the winner of each round:

  1. One point will be awarded for a punch to the trunk or the head, a kick to the leg and/or a knee to the trunk or thigh.
  2. One point will be awarded to the second person falling if the second person initiated and is in control of the throw/takedown - Center Referee or Chief Referee will so indicate.
  3. Two points will be awarded for a kick to the trunk or the head.
  4. Two points will be awarded for a throw/take-down leaving the attacker standing - Center Referee or Chief Referee will so indicate.
  5. Two Points will be awarded to an athlete that he forces his opponent off the mat using legal techniques.
  6. Three points can be awarded for a single technique that sends an opponent to the floor or a clever technique that has the same results - Center Referee or Chief Referee will so indicate.

Judges will signal their winner for the round by displaying a colored flag/paddle corresponding to the Athlete's corner. The Chief Referee will then verify the winner of the round with the same color flag/paddle display. Only then will the Center Referee raise the arm of the winning Athlete.


Cautions: Cautions are unofficial Warnings that are issued to athletes by the Center Referee for minor infractions of the rules. Three Cautions in the same round will invoke an Official Warning with the next infraction by that same athlete. Once an Official Warning has been issued to an Athlete in a round the Center Referee may not issue another Caution to that Athlete during the match.

Official Warning: An Official Warning is given, only once, when Cautions have been exhausted or for a serious infraction of the rules. The Referee and/or Chief Referee do not have to give a Caution(s) prior to giving an Official Warning to an athlete. If in the mind of the Referee and/or Chief Referee the incident is severe enough, an Official Warning may be awarded at their discretion. Once an Official Warning is given the next incident will result in a Foul.

Fouls: A Foul will be declared when an athlete has, repeatedly, violated the rules and has already received three Cautions and/or an Official Warning or commits a single serious infraction of the rules as determined by the Referee or Chief Referee. The first Foul requires a one point deduction for the athlete committing the Foul. A second Foul, regardless of the nature, committed in the same round by the same Athlete will result in loss of that round for the Athlete committing the Foul.


The Center Referee will normally follow the guidelines below with reference to infraction of the rules committed by the athletes.

  1. Cautions (maximum of 3)
  2. Official Warning (maximum of 1)
  3. First Foul: 1 point deduction (maximum of 1)
  4. Second Foul: Loss of Round

However, if in the eyes of the Center Referee the infraction of the rules committed by an athlete was an intentional disregard for the rules and/or safety of the other Athlete he may disregard issuing a Caution and issue an Official Warning or a Foul instead. Once the Center Referee has initiated the Official Warning or a Foul with a one point deduction the next infraction of the rules committed by that same athlete automatically advances to the next level.

The Center Referee may not disregard the Official Warning (first incident), Foul with one point deduction (second incident) and advance to Loss of Round (third incident) without conferring with the Chief Referee first and getting his approval.

Blatant disregard for the tournament rules and/or the safety of its competitors, staff, spectators and officials will be grounds for Disqualification. Disqualification means from the tournament, building and/or premises.

Competitors who maliciously hurt their opponents and/or get involved with physical or verbal confrontations/altercations with the tournament Staff, Officials and/or Spectators will be held legally liable for any damages or injuries. The Chief referee has full authority to stop any Match at any time for safety or integrity of the venue.


Legal Techniques: All punches, kicks and knees not directed at the spine, the groin, the knee joint and the throat; are legal techniques, as are sweeps, throws and take-downs. Knee strikes may be directed to the thigh and the trunk only. Take-downs by sweeps or throws, where in the eyes of the Center Referee or Chief Referee could result in serious injury, may be stopped and points awarded as though the technique was completed.

Mandatory Techniques: Each athlete must attempt a minimum of two (2) Sweeps or Take-downs and execute a minimum of three (3) Kicks to legal target areas during each round. Any athlete that fails to initiate these mandatory techniques will invoke an automatic forfeit for that round.

Illegal Techniques: Continuing to attack when the referee calls STOP. Head Butting and biting as well as strikes, kicks and knees to the groin or abdomen (area between the belt and groin) are illegal. Knee strikes to the head are illegal. Any technique using the elbow to strike with is illegal. A throw technique that could result in a neck or spine injury is illegal. You can not lift an opponent above your shoulders and throw/slam him to the floor. You can not throw an opponent down onto his/her head.

Time Limit for Athlete Holding/Clenching is five (5) seconds. A five second engagement rule will be enforced. Center Referee will break the Holding/Clenching and command engagement after five (5) seconds of inactivity.

Etiquette/proper tradition: Sanda is defined as Chinese free-style. Athletes/competitors and corner men are expected to be respectful and quick to obey commands from the Center Referee and Chief Referee. Corner men will coach his/her athlete only between rounds. Prior to the start of round -1, athletes will be called to the center of the mat for introduction by the Center Referee. Athletes will enter side by side. The Center Referee will check the Athletes for proper equipment and direct the Athletes to bow/salute and set. Athletes will enter from their corners for subsequent rounds. An Athlete not properly equipped for the match may receive a CAUTION or be Disqualified.

Arbitration: Any coach disputing the results of a match and wishing to have arbitration of a match for any reason must notify the Chief Referee verbally within 15 minutes of the match. The team coach must then file a written request for arbitration along with a $300 cash arbitration fee to the Chief Referee within 30 minutes. The coach filing the Arbitration Request will be notified by mail of the decision by the Arbitration Team within seven days of the event. If the arbitration is settled in favor of the team filing the Arbitration Request, the coach that filed the Arbitration Request shall receive a refund of the arbitration fee; otherwise, no refund will be given.


Important information for Athletes and Coaches:

  1. Athletes must make the weigh-in times.
  2. Athletes must arrive at the fighting arena when called (failure to appear after 3-calls results in forfeiture).
  3. Athletes shall enter the fighting arena when motioned in by the Center referee; RED Athlete to his left BLUE Athlete to his right.
  4. After the 1st round leave and re-enter from the corners.
  5. When asked, show mouth piece prior to each round.
  6. STOP and break when told.
  7. Athletes should be active; passive athletes will be CAUTIONED / WARNED to engage.
  8. Athletes being counted will hold gloves up and answer the Center Referee if you wish to continue.
  9. An Athlete will go to a neutral corner when directed during any knock down, injury or conference.
  10. Athletes will not ask for advice from their Coach/equipment person except during rest periods.
  11. Athletes will use only legal techniques and refrain from causing serious injury to your opponent.
  12. Toe nails must be trimmed short enough so that they do not scratch opponent.


The following weight classes will be used: Weight classes may be combined due to lack of opponents in a given weight class, with permission of the lighter weight fighter and his/her coach.

  1. Featherweight: under 150 lbs
  2. Lightweight: 150 - 169 lbs
  3. Middleweight: 170 - 199 lbs
  4. Heavyweight: 200 - 224 lbs
  5. Super Heavyweight: 225 lbs & up


Mandatory equipment: For sanitary reasons, Athletes must enter competition with their own approved head gear and gloves. Athletes must provide their own hand wraps, tape and/or gauze. Glove weights will be as follows: Featherweight, Lightweight and Middleweights will use 12 oz gloves. Heavyweights and Super Heavyweights will use 14 oz Gloves.

  1. Mouth piece
  2. Head gear (light-contact equipment not allowed).
  3. Gloves (light-contact equipment not allowed). Hand wraps are required. No tape will be allowed over standard hand wraps. Tape may be used over gauze only. All hand wraps will be inspected prior to the start of the matches. All strings on gloves must be taped to avoid accidental untying.
  4. Shin guards are optional but must be visible to the Officials throughout the match. Shin guards must be approved by the Chief Referee prior to the match.
  5. No foot pads will be allowed. All competitors will compete with bare feet.
  6. Groin cup
  7. Kung Fu boxing shorts or Kung Fu pants. If long pants are worn any shin guards must be visible (worn on the outside of pant legs).