How long can sanda fighters hold each other?
A · Advanced · Scoring · 1 of 3Two seconds. Fighters may grab each other to throw, but if no throw comes within two seconds the platform judge stops the fight and separates them. A fighter who holds on only to stop the opponent from attacking commits a technical foul. So does one who keeps running away.
How it works
- Two seconds: holding or clinching "without successfully executing a wrestling/throwing technique for 2 seconds" stops the match.
- Passive clinching: holding the opponent to prevent or hinder an attack. A technical foul.
- Passive evasion: deliberately escaping to avoid the fight, such as turning the back and running or hiding behind the platform judge. A technical foul.
- Ordered to attack: the judge can order a passive fighter to attack.
- Five seconds: a fighter who does not attack within five seconds of the order gives the opponent one point.
- No points in the clinch: a strike landed while holding does not score.
- Admonition: each technical foul brings one, and one point to the opponent.
The glossary has the clinch, the passivity, the admonition and warning, the ting and kaishi calls, the scoring in sanda and the sanda officials.
Tricky cases
A fighter grabs, and completes a throw at about three seconds. Is the throw good?
It depends on the judge's call. The match is stopped when two seconds pass without a successful throw. A throw finished after "Ting" does not count, and attacking after "Ting" is a foul.
A fighter leading on points keeps backing round the platform. What can the judge do?
Give a technical foul for passive evasion, or order the fighter to attack. If no attack comes within five seconds, the opponent gets a point.
A fighter lands a clean punch to the body while the opponent is holding them. Does it score?
No. No points are awarded for a strike while in a hold or clinch.
Is every clinch a foul?
No. Clinching to throw is part of the sport. Only holding to prevent an attack is passive clinching.
Why the rule exists
Two seconds is long enough to throw and too short to rest. The limit is what gives sanda its rhythm of strike, close, throw and break. The passivity rules deal with the fighter who is ahead and wants to stop fighting: holding and running both cost points.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Clinch with no throw in two seconds | Match stopped; fighters separated | Sanda Rules, Art. 7 (slide 68) |
| Passive clinching or evasion | Technical foul: admonition and 1 point to the opponent | Sanda Rules, Art. 6 (slides 61 and 67); Art. 5 (slide 59) |
| No attack within five seconds of an order | 1 point to the opponent | Sanda Rules, Art. 5 (slide 59) |
| Muay Thai | Long clinch fighting with knees is allowed | C |
From the rule book
International Wushu Federation, Sanda Rules and Judging Methods (2017 rules, as set out in the federation's 2023 judges' training course slides), Scoring Criteria (Article 5), Fouls and Penalties (Article 6) and Match Stoppage (Article 7). Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: the federation's Sanda Competition Rules and Judging Methods (not saved; a training copy was used).