What is not allowed in pencak silat?
I · Intermediate · Violations and results · 3 of 7The 2026 rules sort fouls into three grades. Light violations include leaving the arena, passivity of more than 10 seconds and ignoring the referee. Moderate ones include holding while striking, pushing out of the arena and diving. Serious ones include attacks to the head, neck, groin or knee, head-butts, biting and insulting officials.
How it works
- Light: leaving the arena with both feet, passivity over 10 seconds, turning the back.
- Light: talking to the corner, a missed sweep, feinting with five fingers at the face.
- Moderate: holding while punching or kicking, grappling, pulling hair or a head covering.
- Moderate: striking after a drop, pushing out on purpose, time-wasting, diving.
- Serious: attacks to the neck, head or groin, injury or not.
- Serious: a direct attack on the knee, a lone kick to the thigh, head-butting.
- Serious: biting, scratching, pile-driving, insulting or spitting.
- Referee: stops the fight for every violation.
The glossary has the light violations, the moderate violations, the serious violations, the target area, the referee (tanding) and the kaidah.
Tricky cases
A kick lands on the thigh because the opponent lifted their leg to block. Foul?
No. Blocking with a raised leg so that a kick hits the thigh is not a violation.
Is grabbing a leg while the foot is still down allowed?
It is a light violation; if it makes the opponent fall, it is moderate.
A pesilat stops for the gong but the opponent strikes. Foul?
Yes. Attacking after the gong or "Henti" is a moderate violation, and serious if it injures.
Is pulling a head covering a foul?
Yes, from any direction it is a moderate violation.
Why the rule exists
Grading fouls lets the referee punish carelessness lightly and danger heavily. The banned targets protect the head, spine, joints and groin.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Thigh kick, nothing before or after | Serious | Rev T22 |
| Low stance in striking range | Light | Rev T14 |
| Pulling without attacking | Moderate | Rev T2 |
From the rule book
IPSF-PERSILAT, International Pencak Silat Competition Regulations Year 2026, Article 4.5d and revision notes 1, 2, 5, 6 and 14 to 17. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: the PERSILAT competition regulations, 2026 revision.