What are fouls in gatka?
I · Intermediate · Scoring and fouls · 3 of 3Fouls include hitting the face or private parts, hitting hard to harm, stabbing with the stick's end (hool), striking with the wrong side (cheer), curling the wrist to hit the head (gurj), holding the opponent's weapon, pushing, passive defence and hitting after Stop. A green card warns, a yellow costs a point and a red disqualifies. The third foul disqualifies.
How it works
- Face or private parts: foul.
- Hard hits: foul.
- Hool, cheer, gurj: fouls.
- Holding weapons: foul.
- Green card: warning.
- Yellow card: minus one.
- Red card: disqualification.
- Third foul: disqualification.
The glossary has the fouls (gatka), the hool, cheer and gurj, the penalty cards (gatka), the disqualification (gatka), the match fixing and the misconduct scale.
Tricky cases
A player drops the stick on purpose. Result?
Disqualification for match fixing.
The stick falls through injury. Result?
No disqualification; points kept.
A player falls and the stick touches the ground. Result?
Disqualification, unless only the free hand, knees or back balance them.
After a yellow, can a green card follow?
No.
Why the rule exists
Banning hard and reversed hits keeps a stick sport from becoming a beating.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow | Minus one | L G 9.7 |
| Third foul | DSQ | L G 9.3 |
| Match fixing | Ban of five years | L G 9.9 |
From the rule book
NGAI and World Gatka Federation, Gatka Rule Book (updated 8 July 2021), rules 5.43 to 5.45, 5.73 and 9.3 to 9.10. Checked 15 October 2026. Official document: NGAI and WGF Gatka Rule Book, July 2021.