How are penalties given in pencak silat?
I · Intermediate · Violations and results · 4 of 7Light violations first draw guidance (pembinaan), which costs nothing. After two, the next brings a reprimand: minus 1 point, then minus 2 for the second. A moderate violation earns a reprimand at once. A serious violation, or a third reprimand, brings Warning I (minus 5), then Warning II (minus 10). Warning III is disqualification.
How it works
- Pembinaan: guidance for light violations; no points lost.
- Reprimand I: minus 1; after two pembinaan, or at once for a moderate violation.
- Reprimand II: minus 2.
- Warning I: minus 5; for a serious violation or a third reprimand.
- Same round: a second reprimand in one round goes straight to Warning I.
- Warning II: minus 10.
- Warning III: disqualification, declared by the referee.
- Duration: warnings count for the whole match.
The glossary has the pembinaan, the reprimand and warnings, the penalty points, the disqualification (pencak silat), the light violations and the serious violations.
Tricky cases
Does guidance carry over from one type of violation to another?
Yes. Pembinaan counts up whatever the violation.
After Warning I, can a light violation still draw only guidance?
Yes. Pembinaan can still be given after a warning.
Can one serious foul disqualify at once?
Yes, if it is deliberate and against sportsmanship, or injures the opponent so they cannot go on.
Is driving the opponent's head into the mat punished?
Yes. Doing it deliberately means disqualification.
Why the rule exists
A ladder lets small faults be corrected before they cost points. Heavy deductions for dangerous fouls make them never worth the risk.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Light violation | Guidance first | Art 4.5d (penalties 1) |
| Moderate violation | Reprimand at once | Art 4.5d (penalties 2b) |
| Serious violation | Warning I or disqualification | Art 4.5d (penalties 3) |
From the rule book
IPSF-PERSILAT, International Pencak Silat Competition Regulations Year 2026, Article 4.5d (penalties) and 4.5f (penalty points). Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: the PERSILAT competition regulations, 2026 revision.