What happens when a karate athlete steps off the mat?
I · Intermediate · Fouls and penalties · 8 of 10Jogai is called when any part of an athlete's body touches the floor outside the competition area. It is a foul unless the athlete was pushed or thrown out, or went out after scoring. An athlete cannot score from outside. One who stays inside can still score on an opponent who has stepped out.
How it works
- What it is: a foot or any other part of the body touching the floor outside the competition area.
- Not jogai: being physically pushed or thrown out by the opponent.
- Not jogai: exiting after delivering a scoring technique, before "Yame".
- An attempt that fails: if the athlete goes out and the technique does not score, the exit is recorded as jogai.
- Scoring from outside: invalid.
- Scoring on an athlete who is leaving: allowed, if the scorer is inside at that moment. The athlete scored upon is not also given jogai.
- The penalty: the next step on the ladder of warnings.
- In the last 15 seconds: stepping out counts as avoiding combat.
The glossary has the jogai, the passivity and avoiding combat, the ato shibaraku, the senshu, the chui and hansoku chui and the referee's calls.
Tricky cases
An athlete lands a scoring kick and the momentum carries them off the mat. Is that jogai?
No. An athlete who delivers a scoring technique and then exits before "Yame" is given the score, and jogai is not imposed.
The same thing happens, but the judges do not give the kick. What then?
It is jogai. If the attempt to score is unsuccessful, the exit is recorded.
An athlete is shoved out by the opponent. Who is penalised?
Not the athlete who went out. Being physically pushed from the area is an exception. Pushing is itself prohibited behaviour.
An athlete steps out with five seconds left while leading. What does it cost?
At least hansoku chui, as avoiding combat in the last 15 seconds, and the loss of senshu if the athlete holds it.
Why the rule exists
Without an edge, a leading athlete could retreat for ever. The boundary forces both to fight in a fixed space. The exceptions make sure the rule punishes only the athlete who chose to leave, and never one who was driven out or who left while attacking.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Stepping out by choice | Jogai | WKF Kumite 10.4.13 |
| Pushed or thrown out | No jogai | WKF Kumite 10.4.13 |
| Out after a score | Score stands; no jogai | WKF Kumite 9.1.2 |
| Scored upon while leaving | Score to the opponent; no jogai | WKF Kumite 9.1.3 |
| Last 15 seconds | Avoiding combat | WKF Kumite 10.4.16; 12.2.8 |
From the rule book
World Karate Federation, Kumite Competition Rules (version 2026.01, valid from 1 January 2026), Articles 8.11, 9.1.2, 9.1.3, 10.4.13 and 10.4.16. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: the federation's Kumite Competition Rules.