Thang-ta words · Intermediate

The words that make the commentary make sense. They build on the beginner words.

I · Intermediate · 21 words · Step 2 of 2

General terms

World Thang-Ta Federation and Huyel Langlon Academy

The world body and the Huyel Langlon Thang-Ta Academy (the international headquarters). Their technical committee appoints referees and score judges and can amend the rules. The Thang-Ta Federation of India is the national body.

Khutlai paiba and paidaba

The two major styles of Thang-Ta. Khutlai paiba is the armed game, fighting with a stick, and khutlai paidaba the unarmed game. The sport rule book covers only the armed game.

Age and weight groups

Sub-junior (under 14, boys and girls together, from 25 kg to 53 kg), junior (under 18) and senior (over 18), each in weight classes for boys and girls. Seniors have an open class as well, for the heaviest competitors.

Events

Kanglon chatpa

The individual performance events, a kind of kata, with or without a weapon. The events are Thanglon, Khonglon-Khutlon, Taron, Leiteng-Haiba and Cheishang-Cheiron.

Thanglon and Khonglon-Khutlon

Two performance events based on the techniques of the Huyel Langlon Thang-Ta Academy and other recognised styles. Judges look for a clear demonstration of the principles, correct posture and movement, power, rhythm, speed and balance, breathing, and the right points to hit, defend and attack. Mixing techniques is not allowed, and a player who cannot complete the performance is disqualified.

Taron

The vocabulary of the spear, one of the two major spear techniques (the other is khousaba, anatomy exercises with a meaning). A player performs a recognised style of taron, and judges look at correct performance, rhythm, step and speed. An ornamental spear is used.

Thang-Haiba

The original Thang-Ta performance, like a dance with a sword. Judges look at rhythm, step, hand art, body movement and speed. Competitors bring their own sword, and punctuality is a must.

Equipment and arena

Arena

A circle 20 ft across inside a 30 ft outline, on a flat surface with mats. The referee's line is 5 ft from the centre toward the referee, each player's line 5 ft toward that player, with six scorers' chairs around the outline, and the chief jury opposite the referee.

Players' uniform and protection

A black suit designed by the technical committee, chest and head guards supplied by the organisers, wristlets and anklets of thick cloth, and a groin guard that fighters bring themselves. Any belt colour is allowed. No ornaments, long nails or long hair.

Officials' dress

Referees and score judges wear white trousers and shirt, a dark blue single-breasted coat (not needed in summer), a red tie with a blue stripe, sports shoes and white socks. They may not officiate in a tracksuit.

Scoring and the bout

Surrender

A player's right to give up to the opponent, through the referee, if they cannot fight.

Walk-over

A player who is present wins if the opponent does not answer the calls within three minutes. If neither player attends, the referee can disqualify both.

Injury and decision

If a player is unfit through injury, the referee may stop the bout with the chief jury's permission, and the opponent wins. A seriously injured player cannot continue without the team doctor's advice, and an injured player cannot be declared winner without the chief jury's permission.

Faults and penalties

Faults

Hitting with the handle of the phunachei, thrusting with it, over-hitting or over-kicking, kicking in phunaba ama, catching the opponent's stick by hand, hitting someone who is falling or off balance, hitting a groin, hitting with the chungoi or its edge, and hitting after the referee says Leppo.

See also: Phunaba, Phunaba ama, Phunachei, Chungoi

Disqualification (Thang-Ta)

For throwing the stick or shield, disobeying the referee, three warnings in a bout, a direct kick in phunaba ama, repeated arguing, or acting against the Federation's rules. The referee can also disqualify a player who drops the phunachei or chungoi up to three times, or one who hits with the handle or to the groin and injures the opponent. A disqualified player gets no prize or grade, and the period is set by the technical committee.

See also: Phunaba, Phunaba ama, Phunachei, Chungoi, Bout

Protest

A player may check their scores on the score sheet and protest irregularities within half an hour of the bout, with a fee of Rs. 1,000 paid to the technical committee.

Officials and commands

Score judges

Six judges around the arena, three for each player, who record the marks of the players of their corner and hand their score sheets to the central referee at the end of the bout.

Chief jury

The official approved by the Huyel Langlon Thang-Ta Academy who sits about 6 ft outside the arena, checks the scores, declares the winner, can disqualify defaulting players and settles disputes. The chief jury's decision on a bout is final.

Timekeeper

The official who regulates the rounds and the interval, operates the stopwatch and calling bell, and takes off time for stoppages when the referee says.

Referee commands

In Manipuri: Chango (come in), Leppo (stop), Khuramu (bow), Khuramnou (bow to each other), Paikhatlu (hold the weapon), Thammu (put down the weapon), Phirep (get into position), Houro (start), Chei Tare (the stick has fallen), Chei Tade (it has not), Cheirak (warning), Thok-o (out), Matam Lepkho (time off), Cheining Sure (hitting by the handle), Khong Kaore (using a kick), Leithok-u (turn around), Leishillu (turn about) and Tanthokle (disqualified). Fighters stand at ease (Chumlep) before a command.

Houro and Leppo

The commands that start (Houro) and stop (Leppo) a passage of fighting. A strike after Leppo scores nothing and is a fault.

All Thang-ta words