How many points is a punch or a kick worth in karate?
B · Beginner · Scoring · 3 of 3A yuko is one point, for a punch or strike to the body or head. A waza-ari is two points, for a kick to the body. An ippon is three points, for a kick to the head, or for any scoring technique on an opponent who has been thrown or has fallen. At least two judges must signal a score.
How it works
- Yuko, one point: a straight punch or a strike to a scoring area.
- Waza-ari, two points: a kick to the body.
- Ippon, three points: a kick to the head.
- Ippon on a downed opponent: any legal technique on an opponent with any part of the body other than the feet on the mat.
- The knee exception: an opponent on one knee while executing a technique does not count as downed.
- Two judges: a score needs two or more of the four judges to signal it, or the video review judge to confirm it.
- First technique: only the first correct technique of an exchange scores.
- Combinations: in an effective combination, the highest-scoring technique counts.
- Both score: if two judges signal for each athlete, both get their points.
The glossary has the yuko, the waza-ari, the ippon, the jodan and chudan, the judges and the scoring criteria.
Tricky cases
A punch lands to the head. Is that worth more than a punch to the body?
No. A punch or strike is a yuko, one point, whether to the head or the body. Only kicks are valued by target.
An athlete sweeps the opponent to the mat and punches. How many points?
Three. Any legal technique on an opponent who has a part of the body other than the feet on the mat is an ippon.
Two judges signal a yuko and a third signals a waza-ari for the same technique. What is given?
A yuko. Where there is a majority for one level of score, the majority overrules the usual principle of giving the higher score.
One judge signals a yuko and one signals a waza-ari, and the other two see nothing. What is given?
A waza-ari. When two judges signal for the same athlete with different values and there is no majority, the higher score is applied.
Why the rule exists
The scale pays for difficulty and risk. A punch is quick and safe to throw. A kick to the body takes longer and leaves the kicker on one leg. A kick to the head, stopped short, is the hardest of all to control. Scoring on a downed opponent is worth most because it needs a sweep or throw first.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Punch or strike | 1 point | WKF Kumite 8.6 |
| Kick to the body | 2 points | WKF Kumite 8.6 |
| Kick to the head | 3 points | WKF Kumite 8.6 |
| Technique on a downed opponent | 3 points | WKF Kumite 8.6 |
| Opponent disqualified, team or round-robin | 8-0 or 4-0, counted as yuko | WKF Kumite 6.2; 6.3 |
From the rule book
World Karate Federation, Kumite Competition Rules (version 2026.01, valid from 1 January 2026), Articles 8.1 to 8.6 and 12.1. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: the federation's Kumite Competition Rules.