Kickboxing Rules & Divisions

ENCOUNTER COMBAT reserves the right to combine and/or separate divisions pending competitor turnout.

  • ALL FIGHTERS MUST PROVIDE THEIR OWN EQUIPMENT INCLUDING MOUTHPIECE, HEADGEAR, GLOVES, SHINGUARDS, and CUP(male only)

    15 years and older: 16 oz gloves (2 minute rounds, 3 rounds per fight)

    12-14 years: 12 oz gloves (1 minute 30 second rounds, 3 rounds per fight)

    Under 12 years: 12 oz gloves (1 minute rounds, 3 rounds per fight)

    Semi-Contact fight:

    *Contact to the head: Punches only (no kicks to the head)

    *Contact to the body: Punches, knees, and kicks allowed

    *Contact to the legs (above the knee only): kicks to the knee and below are NOT allowed

    *Kicks to groin are NOT allowed

    **NO KNOCKOUTS TO THE HEAD

    If the referee feels you are punching to knockout or are out of control, the ref will warn you. This means do not throw haymakers. The second warning results in loss of point for the round. Third warning will result in disqualification.

    **NO HEADKICKS OR KNEES TO THE HEAD

    **NO SWEEPS

    **NO ELBOWS

    You may catch the kick and release it within 3 seconds

    Clinching is allowed for up to 5 seconds where you can box or knee

    A downed opponent will get standing 8 count from referee

    Any contact to a downed opponent will result in automatic disqualification

    UNIFORM requirements: Tshirts, rashguards, athletic shorts with NO pockets are allowed.  If you wear spats, shorts will be required to be worn over them. Kickboxing/Muy Thai shorts are recommended.

  • Youth 1 (under 12 years old):

    Three rounds/ One minute per round

    Youth 2 (12-14 years old):

    Three rounds/ One minute and 30 seconds per round


    Youth 3 (15-17 years old):

    Three rounds/ Two minutes per round

    Adult Men & Women (15 & above):

    Three rounds/ Two minutes per round

  • Youth 1
    4-6 years old
    7-9 years old
    10-11 years old

    Youth 2
    12-14 years old

    Youth 3

    15-17 years old

    Adult
    18+ years old

  • Beginner: 0-2 Bouts/Competitive matches/tournaments
    Intermediate: 3-4 Bouts/Competitive matches/tournaments
    Advanced: 5+ Bouts/Competitive matches/tournaments


    Youth 1 divisions may have males and females combined in their respective divisions

    ENCOUNTER Combat may combine or split divisions based on the discretion of the event director.

  • 18 & older

  • Weight classes are in ten pound increments. We will try to match competitors within one weight class category.

Illegal Techniques

  • Each round will be scored by three judges based on subjective scoring criteria. Following each round, scores will be issued 10 points to the winner of the round. 9 points to the loser of the round. At the conclusion of the third round, judges score cards will be tallied to for the judge results. The winner on each judge score card will be announced. The winner of the match must win the decision of 2/3 judges. In the result of a tie, both fighters will receive a Gold medal.

  • Tshirts, rashguards, athletic shorts with NO pockets are allowed.  If you wear spats, shorts will be required to be worn over them. Kickboxing/Muy

    Thai shorts are recommended.

  • -Weigh ins are only the day of the event

    -Fighters only need to weigh in during the assigned weigh in time. Weigh in close approximately 15 minutes before the first match.

    -If “Modesty Curtain” is requested, a parent/guardian must be present

    -Males must wear a minimum of compression shorts during the weigh in

    -Females must wear a minimum of compression shorts and sports bra during the weigh in

    There will be a 2lb allowance.

  • -The match will be held in a minimum 15x15 square area

    -Fighters may move outside the square area. The referee will pause and reset match in center, as needed.

    -If the match moves outside of the square, the match will continue until the referee determines that it is unsafe.