Section III. CONTENT OF UNIVERSAL FIGHT. REFEREEING RULES

Article 10 . Obstacle Course

1. The obstacle course shall consist of 7-10 stages depending on the age group of the contestants. It shall include the stages and obstacles, which would require from the contestants to show such physical qualities as strength, agility and speed, small-arms weapon skills, skills in throwing sports apparatus (throwing objects at the target), overcoming technically difficult obstacles. In certain cases the complete set of elements of the obstacle course for female contestants may be facilitated and be compiled on the grounds of the suggestions of the authorized team representatives and approved by the general meeting of representatives taking into account age group and weight category of the contestants. Exact description of each element of the obstacle course must be available, and each element must meet the requirements of injury prevention.
2. The particular set of elements (stages) of the obstacle course and their arrangement in the room shall depend on the rank of competition, opportunities provided by the sports facilities and categories of the contestants (male and female adults, male and female youths, children).
3. Composition of the obstacle course. Distance length – up to 60 m, including:
    - the start line (1);
    - the labyrinth (2);
    - the boom (the standard balance beam or an analogue) (3);
    - the fence Н = 2 m, width 2-3 m, for youths, male and female (14-15 years), it shall be completed with a support – a board 5х5 cm placed 0.5 m high above the floor (ground) level (4);
    - the horizontal manual ladder Н = 2.5 m, L = 4 m (3 m for youths of 14-15 years) (5);
    - the place for air pistol shooting at the target of the size 210х297 mm (may be a drop-type target), or for a paintball gun shooting at the round target (red or blue), diameter 40 cm, for male and female adults, male and female juniors - from the distance up to S = 15 m, for male and female youths (16-17 years) - up to S = 12 m, for male and female youths (14-15 years) - up to S = 10 m (7);
    - the place for throwing objects at the target: for male and female adults, male and female juniors, male and female youths (16-17 years) and male and female youths (14-15 years) – throwing of a certified sports knife, approved by the Federation, from the distance of 3 m (8);
    - the horizontal tube (the tunnel) L = 3 m, arch height = 0.8 m (9);
    - the inclined net with the slope angle 600 , Н = 6-8 m, width 4-5 m at the top of the net, the hole 0.7 m diameter for climbing over on the rope (10);
    - the rope Н = 5-6 m (11).
4. The contestants shall start simultaneously, pass all the stages moving by parallel courses and shall finish on the tatami by touching with the hand on the line, which colour corresponds with the colour of the contestant’s costume.
5. The obstacle course shall be overcome in the following sequence:
    - Start (1) upon the command “March!” or at the shot of a starting gun – run 5-7 meters.
    - Unthread the labyrinth (2).
    - Get over the fence (3) by applying the method “gripping” or “by the strong hand”, utilization of an additional support for youths   (14-15 years) is allowed.
    - Pass the horizontal manual ladder hand over hand (4), starting from the first rung, jump to the ground from the last rung. For youths (14-15 years) jumping on the ladder may be assisted by another person.
    - Pass the horizontal tube (the tunnel) (5).
    - Shooting at the target (paintball gun or air pistol) (6). Weapon is placed at the firing line. Two shots from the paintball gun (till the first target hit) and 1 shot from the air pistol.
    - Throwing of the knife at the target (7) from the distance of 3 m. Two throws are allowed (till the first target hit).
    - Pass the boom (8): run up the inclined board to the boom, run along the boom, jump off at the end of the boom (not earlier that the marked line).
    - Climb the inclined net (9) applying optional methods.
    - Get out through the hole in the net, climb down half of the rope (10) using hand under hand method to the 2-meter mark. Jump to the ground. Run to the finishing mark.
    - Finish near the tatami - touch the marked line.
No more than 3 attempts shall be allowed for overcoming each obstacle. In case of failure to fulfill this requirement, the contestant shall be declared loser of the contest.
Missing the target while shooting and throwing the knife shall be penalized an additional passing of the obstacle preceding the firing (throwing) line, and shall as well be penalized one point (per each element), which will be awarded to the opponent in the contest (in the second round).
The contestant having finished first with the time difference between 10 and 15 seconds as compared to the opponent shall receive an additional bonus point, scored to him in the 2nd round. Bonus points shall be scored for each subsequent 5 seconds.
The contestant having finished second with the time difference with the first contestant exceeding 50% shall be declared loser, whose opponent shall be awarded a clear win.

Article 11. Contest on the Tatami (the Wrestling Mat)

1. After overcoming the obstacle course, the contestants shall conduct the contest on the tatami.
2. Throws, pinning holds, pain compliance techniques applied to arms and legs of the opponent and strangling (choking) techniques with a jacket lapel or the forearm shall be applied at competitions held according to the semi-light universal fight rules.
3. Contestants shall conduct the contest only in the standing position at competitions held according to the light universal fight rules. Throws of the opponents onto their buttocks, side, stomach, back, shoulder, ground fighting excluded, shall be judged as valid. Throws on the knees and arms shall not be judged as valid.
After execution of an ineffective throw, the contestants shall be returned to the fighting stance, and the round shall be continued.

Article 12. Positions of Contestants

1. Standing position shall be the position of the contestant when he touches the tatami only with the soles of his feet (stands on his feet).
2. Lying position shall be the position of the contestant when he touches the tatami with any part of his body other than the soles of his feet.
While in a lying position as well as after falling to the ground following application of the throwing techniques, or while shifting to the ground fighting, the contestant may find himself in the following positions:
    a) on the back – in the position when he touches the tatami with both shoulder blades or rolls over on the back moving with speed (without stopping); in the „bridge“ position, when the contestant’s back is towards the tatami and he touches it only with the head and the soles of his feet;
    b) on the side – in the position when he touches the tatami with a single shoulder blade, and his back at the level of shoulder blades makes an angle of up to 90 degrees with the tatami; in the „semi-bridge“ position, when the contestant’s back is towards the tatami and he touches it with the soles of his feet, the head and the shoulder;
    c) on the chest and on the stomach – in the position when he touches the tatami with the chest and the stomach, and his back at the level of shoulder blades makes an obtuse angle with the tatami;
    d) on the buttocks or on the small of the back – in the position when the contestant touches the tatami with one or both buttocks or with the small of the back;
    e) on the shoulder – in the position when the contestant touches the tatami with the shoulder joint or the shoulder pressed to the body;
    f) on the knees (knee) – in the position when the contestant touches the tatami with the knees (knee), and he may sit on his calf muscles without touching the surface of the tatami with his buttocks;
    g) on the hands (hand) – in the position when the contestant touches the tatami with the hands (hand).
3. Stand-up fighting (in the fighting stance) – both contestants are in the „standing“ position.
4. Ground fighting – one or both contestants are in the „lying“ position.

Article 13. Refereeing during Competition on the Obstacle Course

1. Acts hindering an opponent or constituting a threat to an opponent‘s health shall be considered grave infringements of the Rules, for which the contestant may be excluded from the competition.
2. At the knife throwing stage, a contestant shall use the knife meeting standard requirements for knife throwing and the small arms weapon provided by the organization holding the competition.
3. Three attempts shall be allowed for overcoming each obstacle. In case a contestant fails to overcome the obstacle after 3 attempts, the contestant shall be declared loser of the contest. Missing the target while throwing the knife or shooting shall be penalized in compliance with the requirements of Article 10 (paragraph 6) herein above.

Article 14. Results of Competition on the Obstacle Course

1. The contestant having finished first shall win the competition on the obstacle course. The contestant shall be given 1 point for the win of the first event.
2. In case a contestant has fallen out of the race or failed to appear at the match on the tatami following the passing of the obstacle course, he shall be considered to lose the competition on the obstacle course with decisive inferiority, the contest shall finish before the end of time allotted for the contest, and his opponent  shall be awarded clear win in this contest with the corresponding time.
3. In case the time gap between the first contestant and the contestant having finished second is more than a half of the time the winner spent for overcoming the course, the second contestant shall be declared loser and his opponent shall be awarded a clear win.

Article 15. Throws

1. A throw shall be considered a grapple action of the contestant, which results in off-balancing the opponent and his fall on the ground, touching the surface of the tatami with any part of his body other than the soles of his feet, i.e. he appears in one of the „lying“ positions.
A counter-throw shall be considered a throw where the attacked contestant seizes the initiative in response to the attacking actions of the opponent and throws the opponent himself thus changing the character and the direction of the fall of the attacker.
2. Throws executed by the contestant while he is in the „standing“ position before the throw (before the start of the fall of the opponent) and throws from knees performed with the speed from the „standing“ position shall be judged as valid.
A throw shall be considered executed by the attacker without falling, if he retains his „standing“ position during the throw (from the start to the moment of completion).
A throw shall be considered executed with the fall of the attacker, if he shifts to one of “lying” positions while executing the throw, or if he rests upon the lying opponent to keep the balance.
Any type of rolling over in ground fighting as well as throws performed by the contestant while being in the „lying“ position shall not be judged as valid.
3. The following throws shall be distinguished depending on the initial position of the attacker:
    а) throwing the opponent being in the fighting stance; the throws shall be considered equivalent to the first mentioned, where the attacker in the process of a throw changes the position of the opponent from one of „lying“ position to the standing position or completely takes an opponent off the tatami, lifts him above the belt line and throws him turning around horizontal axis;
    b) throwing the opponent being in the position „on the knees” or „on the hands”, accompanied by his complete lifting off the tatami, but below the belt line, and turning around horizontal axis.
Lifting the opponent being in the „lying“ position off the tatami and bringing him down again to the same position without turning shall not be judged as valid.
In any case, throws ending by the fall of the opponent to the position „on the hands“ or „on the knees“ shall not be judged as valid.

Article 16. Pain Compliance Techniques (only in Semi-Light Fight)

1. A pain compliance technique shall be considered an armlock or a leglock applied against the opponent and used in ground fighting, which enables to perform the following actions: bending (a lever), leveraging of a joint (a knot), entrapment of tendons and muscles (an entrapment), with the purpose of forcing the opponent to submit.
The beginning of a pain compliance technique shall be considered the beginning of actions following execution of a hold of the attacked area of a limb of the opponent by the attacker with the purpose of causing pain sense or of overcoming his defensive hold. These actions shall be maintained for 20 seconds.
2. Pain compliance techniques shall be allowed to apply only when the attacked is in the “lying” position, and the attacker may be in the fighting stance.
3. Application of an armlock or a leglock shall be discontinued, in case the attacked transits to the „standing“ position.

Article 17. Pinning Hold (only in Semi-Light Fight)

1. A pinning hold shall be considered a technique where the contestant forces the opponent to lie with his back on the tatami for a definite period of time by pressing his body to the body of the opponent (or to the arms of the opponent pressed to the opponent’s body).
2. The hold time reading shall start from the moment when the attacker presses his body (chest, side or back) to the body of the opponent and holds him in the position “on the shoulder blades”.
3. A pinning hold shall be discontinued, if the contestant being pinned shall transit to the position “on the chest”, “on the stomach” or “on the buttocks” (with the exception of the position “on the small of the back”), where an angle between his back at the level of shoulder blades and the surface of the tatami exceeds 90 degrees, if he pushes the attacker from himself, or if the attacker starts exercising a pain compliance technique.

Article 18. Strangling (Choking) Techniques (only in Semi-Light Fight)

1. Strangling (choking) techniques shall be exercised by compressing carotid arteries or the throat of the opponent.
2. It shall be prohibited to exercise strangling techniques with fingers.
3. Strangling techniques shall be allowed to apply in the contest only when the attacked is in the “lying” position, and the attacker may be may be in the fighting stance.
A strangling technique shall be maintained for 20 seconds.
4. Application of the strangling technique shall be considered successful, when the attacked pronounces the word “Score!”, and repeatedly taps the tatami with his hand (hands) or feet.
          
Article 19. Start and End of the Contest

1. The contestants shall be called to the tatami to conduct the contest.
2. Before the start of the contest the contestant having been called first (attired in the red uniform) shall take place at the red corner of the tatami, and his opponent (attired in the blue uniform) shall take place at the blue corner of the tatami. After introduction the contestants following the gesture of the Referee shall meat in the middle of the tatami and shake hands. Then they shall make a step backwards and start the contest on the signal given by the Referee.
3. The end of the time allotted for the contest shall be indicated by the gong (an audible signal).
4. Once the contest is over, the contestants shall take the same places on the tatami as before the beginning of the contest. To announce the result, the Referee shall call the contestants to the middle and having taken both contestants by wrists shall raise the hand of the winner, after which both contestants shall shake hands and leave the tatami.

Article 20. Result and Scoring of the Contest

1. A contest may result in the victory of one contestant and the defeat of the other contestant as well as in the defeat of both contestants.
2. In the competitions held according to the light universal fight rules, the contestants shall conduct a contest only in the standing position, ground fighting excluded.
Victory shall be awarded to the contestant, who has first managed to execute a neat throw of the opponent on the back or has been awarded more points for throws on the side, stomach, chest or buttocks. Throws on the knees, knee, hands, hand shall not be judged as valid. After execution of a throw, the contestants shall be returned to the fighting stance, and the round shall be continued. If the contestant is awarded 10 or more points as compared to the opponent, the round shall be stopped before the end of the time allotted for the contest, and the mentioned contestant shall be declared winner of the round.
If the contestant executes a neat throw of the opponent  - any throw on the back, the contest shall be stopped, and the contestant shall be awarded clear win in the contest.
In case the contestants have not managed to execute scored throws from the standing position during the time allotted for the contest in rounds, and if both contestants while trying to apply throws simultaneously fall on the tatami (the mat) onto the stomach, side or other parts of their body provided for in the Rules, the Referee having consulted the Judges shall determine more active contestant and shall award him victory by decision of the refereeing officials.
3. Throws, pinning holds, pain compliance techniques on arms and legs of the opponent (armlocks and leglocks) and strangling techniques with a jacket lapel or the forearm shall be applied during contests on the tatami in competitions held according to the semi-light universal fight rules.
If the contestant executes a neat throw of the opponent  - any throw on the back without falling himself, an effective pain compliance technique, a strangling technique, or maintains a pinning hold for 30 seconds,  the contest shall be stopped, and the contestant shall be awarded clear win in the contest.
 If the contestant is awarded 10 or more points as compared to the opponent, the round shall be stopped before the end of the time allotted for the contest, and the mentioned contestant shall be declared winner of the round.
4. In case for the first 25 seconds of the round at competitions held according to the light universal fight and semi-light universal fight rules, there have been no techniques or no attacking actions on the part of both contestants, the Referee shall stop the contest and shall give a verbal warning for non-combativity to one or both contestants.
In case for the next 15 seconds of the round the contestants continue non-combative way of fighting, the Referee having consulted one of the Corner Judges without stopping the contest shall declare the first warning for non-combativity to one or both contestants.
In case for the next 15 seconds of the round following the announcement of the first warning the contestants continue non-combative way of fighting, the second warning for non-combativity shall be declared to one or both contestants.
In case for the next 15 seconds of the round following the announcement of the second warning the contestants continue non-combative way of fighting, and the third warning should be announced, the Referee shall stop the contest and one or both contestants shall be excluded from the contest by the decision of the Three-Person Refereeing Team.
If only one contestant is excluded from the contest, his opponent shall be declared winner before the end of the time allotted for the contest.

Article 21. Clear Win

1. Clear win shall be awarded:
    a) for a clear throw;
    b) for a pain compliance technique (only in semi-light fight);
    c) for a strangling technique (only in semi-light fight);
    d) for maintaining a pinning hold for 30 seconds (only in semi-light fight);
    e) in case of a decisive superiority of one of the contestants;
    f) in case of the exclusion of the opponent from the contest;
    g) in case of the exclusion of the opponent from the competition in the process of the contest.
2. A clear throw shall be considered a throw not accompanied by the fall of the attacker, as a result of which the opponent, having been in the „standing“ position, falls on the back or rolls over on the back moving with speed (without stopping). In the competition held according to the “light” rules, a throw of an opponent on the back even accompanied by the fall of the attacker shall be considered a clear throw.
3. A pain compliance or a strangling technique shall be judged as valid in case one of the competitors gives the sign of surrender.
The sign of submission shall be given by a loud shout “Score!” or by a double tap with the hand or foot of the attacked on the tatami (the mat) or on the body of the attacker.
Any shout of a contestant to whom a pain compliance or a strangling technique has been applied shall be considered as the sign of submission.
4. If the contestant is awarded 10 (or more) points as compared to the opponent, the contest shall be stopped, and the mentioned contestant shall be declared winner by a decisive superiority.

Article 22. Exclusion and Disqualification

1. The contestant shall be excluded from the contest by the decision of the Chief Referee, and the opponent shall be awarded a clear win in the following cases:
    a) in case of the repeated attempt to apply a prohibited technique;
    b) in case the contestant exceeds the allotted time (See sub-paragraphs “2 d” and “2 e”, Art. 6 herein above), the contest shall be considered stopped before the end of the time allotted for the contest, and the time of the contest shall be recorded in the contest sheet.
2. The contestant shall be excluded from the contest by the decision of the Chief Referee in case the third warning should be announced after two warnings for non-combative way of fighting, if the Three-Person Refereeing Team is unanimous in the opinion, or if the decision made on the basis of the majority of three is supported by the Chief Referee. Meanwhile the opponent of the excluded contestant shall be awarded a clear win before the end of the time allotted for the contest.
3. The contestant shall be excluded from the competition by the decision of the Chief Referee, in case, according to the Doctor’s decision, the contestant is unable to continue competing due to illness or injury received during the contest. During ranking he shall be placed in compliance with his results as of the time of exclusion.
4. The contestant shall be excluded from the competition by the decision of the Chief Referee (disqualified) for the following:
    a) nor non-appearance on the tatami within 1.5 min. after the first call;
    b) for rough an unethical behavior to the opponent, competitors, refereeing officials and spectators, for the refusal to shake hands with the opponent or misbehavior while shaking hands;
    c) for performing a prohibited technique due to which  the opponent receives an injury and, according to the Doctor’s decision, is unable to continue competing;
    d) for deceiving the refereeing officials.
In this case the contestant excluded from the competition shall get 0 ranking points (during ranking he shall get neither individual, not team place).

Article 23. Scoring of Techniques

1. Techniques of the attacking contestant, which have not resulted in a clear win, shall be scored in points. The quality and correspondingly the scoring of a throw shall depend on the following:
    - the starting position of the attacker before the throw;
    - whether the throw is accompanied by the fall of the attacker or not;
    - the starting position of the attacked before the throw;
    - the body part on which the attacked has fallen as the result of the throw by the opponent.
2. Three points shall be scored:
    a) for the throw from the standing position accompanied by the fall of the attacker, as a result of which the opponent falls onto the back (in semi-light fight);
    b) for the throw from the standing position not accompanied by the fall of the attacker, as a result of which the opponent falls onto the side;
    c) for maintaining a pinning hold for 25 seconds (only in semi-light fight).
3. Two points shall be scored:
    a) for the throw from the standing position accompanied by the fall of the attacker, as a result of which the opponent falls onto the side;
    b) for the throw from the standing position not accompanied by the fall of the attacker, as a result of which the opponent falls onto the chest, stomach, buttocks, small of the back or shoulder;
    c) for the throw not accompanied by the fall of the attacker, as a result of which the opponent having been in the position on the knees or on the hands before the throw falls onto the back (only in semi-light fight);
    d) for an unfinished pinning hold maintained for more than 20 seconds (only in semi-light fight);
    e) for the second warning announced to the opponent.
4. One point shall be scored:
    а) for  the throw from the standing position accompanied by the fall of the attacker, as a result of which the opponent falls onto the chest, stomach, buttocks, small of the back or shoulder;
    b) for the throw accompanied by the fall of the attacker, as a result of which the opponent having been in the position on the knees or on the hands before the throw falls onto the back (only in semi-light fight);
    c) for the throw not accompanied by the fall of the attacker, as a result of which the opponent having been in the position on the knees or on the hands before the throw falls onto the side (only in semi-light fight);
    d) for an unfinished pinning hold maintained for more than 15 seconds (only in semi-light);
    e) for the first warning announced to the opponent.
5. “Activity” (“Аr”) shall be awarded (with the exception of the light universal fight rules):
    a) for the throw from the standing position not accompanied by the fall of the attacker, as a result of which the opponent falls onto the knee (knees);
    b) for an unfinished pinning hold maintained for more than 10 seconds (only in semi-light fight).

6. For an ineffective throw of the attacker accompanied by the fall of the attacker onto the buttocks, chest, small of the back, side or back, the opponent shall not be awarded any points, provided he has not applied a counter-attack
In case the defending contestant applying a counter-attack has failed to change the character and the direction of the fall of the attacker and has fallen himself in the direction of the throw of the attacker, the throw of the attacker shall be considered executed.
7. Pinning holds performed by a contestant during one contest shall not be scored in the aggregate for more than 6 points.
8. In case of halting the contest at request of the contestant to whom a pinning hold is being applied, his opponent shall be awarder a clear win, provided the opponent has not infringed the Rules.

Article 24. Non-Combativity

The following actions shall be considered as non–combativity:
    a) to deliberately go outside the tatami (the mat) in the fighting stance, or to crawl outside the tatami (the mat) in the ground fight;
    b) to avoid any genuine attempts to apply techniques in the stand-up fight;
    c) to imitate attacking actions (false attack);
    d) to avoid a hold in the stand-up fight;
    e) to move to the “lying” position without any genuine attempts to apply techniques;
    f) to distinctly push the opponent outside of the tatami (the mat).

Article 25. Fight on the Edge of the Tatami (the Mat)

1. The following shall be considered as the position “outside the tatami” (outside the edge of the tatami):
    a) if one of the contestants has stepped outside the tatami (the mat) during the stand-up fight;
    b) if one of the contestants has half of his body at the belt line, or shoulder blades or buttocks outside the tatami (the mat) during the ground fight.
2. In the course of the contest the position “outside the tatami” shall be judged by the Referee, and controversial decisions and judgements shall be made on the basis of the majority of three.
3. If the contestants appear in the position “outside the tatami”, they shall return to the center of the tatami (the mat) at the signal of the Referee and resume the contest in the fighting stance. A contestant shall not stop the contest near the edge of the tatami (the mat) and call the opponent to the centre of the tatami (the mat) without the signal of the Referee. The opponent shall have the right to apply a technique in the absence of the signal.
4. The throw (the counter-throw), started on the tatami (the mat) shall be considered for point scoring purposes, if it ends outside the tatami (the mat) at the safety area. The throw started in the position “outside the tatami” shall not be judged as valid.
5. The pinning hold and the pain compliance technique (the strangling technique) started on the tatami (the mat) shall be allowed to maintain till one of the contestants has a contact with the working area of the tatami (the mat).
     
Article 26. Prohibited Techniques and Acts
 
1. The following acts and techniques shall be prohibited in the Universal Fight competition:
    a) to throw the opponent onto the head, to throw the opponent applying hold for performing a pain compliance technique (“a knot”, “a lever”), to throw the opponent falling onto him with all body weight;
    b) to hold the opponent’s mouth and nose obstructing breathing;
    c) to strike at, scratch, bite the opponent;
    d) to apply any technique to the opponent‘s spinal vertebrae, to wring his neck, to squeeze the head of the opponent with the hands or legs, or to press it down to the mat, to apply squeezing scissors with the legs to the opponent‘s body;
    e) to put a hand, arm, foot, leg or head on the opponent’s face;
    f) to press any part of the opponent‘s body from above with the elbow or the knee;      
    g) to intertwine the opponent’s fingers or toes;
    h) to twist the opponent’s arm behind the back, to apply pain compliance techniques on the hand;
    i) to twist the opponent’s foot by the heel and apply the “knot” technique on the opponent’s foot;
    j) to apply the “lever” technique to the knee, bending the leg on the plane other than the natural bend;
    k) to apply pain compliance techniques, strangling techniques during stand-up fight;
    l) to apply pain compliance techniques with a jerk.     
2. In case the refereeing officials fail to notice that one of contestants has applied a prohibited technique, the disadvantaged contestant shall be allowed to make a vocal or a gesture signal. Giving a false signal shall be judged and penalized as a prohibited action.       
3. The following actions shall be prohibited as well:
    - to hold trousers, flaps of the jacket, ends of the belt, the jacket sleeve from inside;
    - to hold the edge or the surface of the tatami (the mat);
    - to intentionally disarrange the uniform (to take the hand out of the jacket sleeve, to roll up the sleeves of the jacket, etc.).
   
Article 27. Verbal Warnings and Warnings

1. The infringements of the Rules, for which a contestant may be given a verbal warning or a warning, or for which he may be excluded from one contest or from the competition shall be as follows:
    а) not to arrive in time to the tatami (the mat);
    b) to apply a prohibited technique;
    c) to contest in a rough manner;
    d) to misconduct;
    e) to speak on the tatami (the mat);
    f) to fight in non-combative way and to commit other prohibited acts;
    g) to leave the tatami (the mat) without the permission of the Referee, including the leave to get medical attention;
    h) verbal assistance accompanied by unethical behaviour of the representative, the coach or other members of the team that are near the tatami (the mat) (for violation of paragraph 4, Article 8 herein above).
2. No more than one verbal warning may be given to a contestant during the contest.
The Referee shall have the right to make a verbal warning to a contestant without conferring with the other members of the Three-Person Refereeing Team.
3. A contestant shall be given a verbal warning for not appearing on the tatami (the mat) within 30 seconds after the first call, and the first warning for being late for more than 1 minute.
4. A verbal warning shall be given in the first instance of the infringement of the requirements referred to in sub-paragraphs “1e”, “1f” and “1g”, but any subsequent infringements shall be penalized by the warning.
5. If a contestant, to whom a pain compliance technique, a strangling technique or a pinning hold has been applied, moves outside the edge of the tatami (the mat), the latest penalty shall be awarded against him for intentional escape outside the edge of the tatami (the mat): the first, the second warning or exclusion from the contest.
6. In case of infringements referred to in sub-paragraphs “1b”, “1c” and “1d”, a warning shall be awarded without the previous verbal warning.
7. No more than one warning may be given to a contestant for applying a prohibited technique during the contest. No more than two warnings may be given to each of the contestants during the contest.
    
Article 28. Judgement and Announcement of Contest Result

1. A clear win shall be awarded:
    а) in case a technical action of the contestant is judged as a clear throw on the basis of the majority of three;
    b) in case of a successful application of a pain compliance technique by the contestant;
    c) in case of a successful application of a strangling technique by the contestant;
    d) for maintaining a pinning hold for 30 seconds by the contestant.
2. Win by decisive superiority, win by superiority, win on points or technical win shall be determined by the Mat Chairman on the grounds of the records of the contest sheet entered in conformity with the judgements of the contestants‘ actions announced during the contest.
3. A contestant (both contestants) shall be excluded from the contest by a unanimous decision of the Three-Person Refereeing Team or on the basis of the majority of three with consent of the Chief Referee (or Deputy Chief Referee).
The announcement regarding the exclusion of a contestant from the contest or the competition shall be made following the approval of the Chief Referee (or Deputy Chief Referee).
4. The result shall be announced as follows:
    a) in case of a clear win or a win by decisive superiority: „During … minutes … seconds (the surname and the team of the winner) won in the ... round by a clear throw (by a pain compliance technique,  a strangling technique, by decisive superiority)“;
    b) in case of absence of a clear win: „(the surname and the team of the winner) won by superiority (on points)”;
    c) in case of exclusion of a contestant: „During … minutes … seconds win by withdrawal is awarded to (the surname and the team of the winner)”;
    d) in case of exclusion of both contestants from the contest or the competition: „Both contestants are excluded from the contest (the competition) and are announced defeat with the time of … minutes … seconds“.

Article 29. Applications (Appeals)

1. A written application may be lodged in connection with a grave infringement of the Rules or an unconventional situation.
2. The procedure on lodging an application shall be as follows:
    a) an application shall be lodged by the team representative (coach, captain) to the Chief Referee (in the absence of the Inspector) of the competition;
    b) an application regarding the results of an obstacle course event, a contest or a contest shall be lodged no later than within 10 minutes after the announcement of the results, moreover, the representative must promptly notify the Manager of the Event about the intention to lodge a written application;
     c) an application regarding an unconventional situation (violation of the Regulations, procedures of weigh-in, the draw and pairing of contestants, disinformation on the part of the officials, etc.) shall be lodged no later than within 10 minutes after the occurrence of such situation to allow the Chief Referee (the Inspector) to make a prompt decision with the minimal damage for the course and results of the competition;
    d) an application shall state the reason for lodging the same and shall contain the obligatory reference to the infringed paragraphs of the Rules;
    e) an amount of money shall be enclosed to the application fixed by the Federation taking into account the rating of the competition:
    - World Championship                               – 500 USD;
    - Continent Championships                        – 400 USD;
    - National Championships                          – 300 USD;
    - International Competitions (Tournaments) – 200 USD;
    - Regional Competitions                             – 100 USD.
3. Consideration of an application:
    a) an application shall be considered by the Chief Referee (the Inspector) engaging refereeing officials and persons having committed the infringement of the Rules specified in the application with participation of representatives of the interested parties, but without the right to have a deliberative vote;
    b) the decision concerning an application shall be made on the date of submission:
    - in competition on the obstacle course, in contests on the tatami – before the beginning  of the next round of the competition;
    - in a team competition – before the beginning of the next individual contest of the said team competition;
    - on other occasions – in terms ensuring the possibility to rectify errors with the minimal damage for the course and results of the competition;
     c) in case the Chief Referee (the Inspector) thinks it necessary while considering an application, viewing by refereeing officials of a video record of the situation stated in the application shall be possible;
    d) the Chief Referee (the Inspector) shall make the final decision, state it in writing and notify the interested parties to that effect;
    e)  in case the application is satisfied, the previously deposited amount of money shall be returned to the appealing party;
    f) in case an application is not satisfied, the previously deposited amount of money shall be transferred to the benefit of the Federation and shall be entered in accordance with the established procedure.

Section IV ⇒