What are the warnings and penalties in karate?
I · Intermediate · Fouls and penalties · 7 of 10Fouls are punished on one ladder. A chui is a warning and can be given up to three times. Hansoku chui is a warning of disqualification. Hansoku disqualifies the athlete from the bout, and shikkaku removes them from the whole tournament. A serious foul can go straight to a higher step.
How it works
- Chui: a warning for a smaller infraction that does not reduce the opponent's chances of winning. It can be given three times.
- Hansoku chui: for a more serious infraction that does reduce the opponent's chances, or for any further infraction after three chui.
- Hansoku: disqualification from the bout, for a very serious infraction or when hansoku chui has already been given.
- Shikkaku: disqualification from the tournament, for disobeying the referee, acting maliciously or harming the honour of karate.
- Informal warnings: "Tsuzukete" and "Wakarete" keep the bout moving and are not on the ladder.
- Consultation: the referee may call the judges together first, and must do so before shikkaku or a disqualification for time-wasting.
- Exaggerating contact: chui for a slight overreaction, hansoku chui for an obvious one and possibly hansoku for worse.
- Feigning injury: at least chui, hansoku chui for an obvious case and shikkaku for a serious one.
The glossary has the chui and hansoku chui, the hansoku and shikkaku, the penalty, the disqualification, the prohibited behaviour and the referee.
Tricky cases
Does a warning give the opponent a point?
No. The scale of points has entries only for techniques. Warnings and hansoku chui change nothing on the scoreboard until the ladder ends in disqualification.
An athlete has three chui and steps out of the area. What is given?
Hansoku chui. It is given for any further infraction once three chui have been given.
What is the difference between hansoku and shikkaku?
Hansoku is disqualification from that bout. Shikkaku is disqualification from the entire tournament, including any other category the athlete entered.
Both athletes are disqualified in the same bout. Who goes through?
Nobody. The opponent scheduled for the next round gets a bye. In a medal bout a winner is still declared, on the scores at that moment, then senshu, then hantei.
Why the rule exists
A ladder lets the referee correct an athlete without changing the score, and makes the final step predictable. Tying the level of the first two steps to whether the opponent's chances were harmed keeps the response in proportion. Shikkaku stands apart because it punishes conduct, not a mistake of control.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Chui | Up to three | WKF Kumite 10.2.1 |
| Hansoku chui | Serious infraction, or after three chui | WKF Kumite 10.3.1 |
| Hansoku | Out of the bout | WKF Kumite 10.3.1 |
| Shikkaku | Out of the tournament | WKF Kumite 10.3.1 |
| Disqualified in a team match | Opponent's score set at 8, offender's at zero | WKF Kumite 10.6.1 |
| Disqualified in a round-robin bout | Opponent's score set at 4, or what was scored if higher | WKF Kumite 10.7.1 |
From the rule book
World Karate Federation, Kumite Competition Rules (version 2026.01, valid from 1 January 2026), Articles 10.1 to 10.7 and 12.2.11. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: the federation's Kumite Competition Rules.