Virginia Law

A. Along with legal kicks and punches above the waist, contestants may use legal kicks to the legs (not the knees) and elbows to legal target area. Use of knees and elbows is restricted to legal target areas below the neck. Use of knees and elbows to the head is permitted if prior approval by the department or its contractor is obtained.

B. Leg sweeps, boot to boot, to the inside and outside of the contestant's foot (not above the ankle) are permitted.

C. Kicks may be made with the shin or foot.

D. Kicks to the inside and outside of the contestant's leg are permitted.

E. Direct sidekicks to the legs are not permitted.

F. Contestants are permitted to catch their opponent's leg and take up to two steps. Contestants may strike anytime during the two steps, but must release the leg when they strike or by the end of the two steps.

G. Kneeing is permitted if one contestant is active within the clinch.

H. Clinching without kneeing is permitted for five seconds to execute a throw, sweep or takedown.

I. All types of Judo and wrestling throws are permitted, except spiking one's opponent directly on the head.

J. Foot pads and shin pads are not permitted.

K. Bouts contested on a platform without ropes must be approved by the department or its contractor 30 days prior to the event.

L. Contests shall be scored as follows:

1. Two areas will be scored, stand up and takedowns. Both are scored by the use of a clicker counter by each judge.

a. Stand up -- Each judge will award a contestant one point for every effective strike delivered, with the exception of kicks that are caught and effective counter or throw or sweep delivered.

b. Takedown -- After each throw, takedown or sweep, the referee will stop the action and determine if points are to be awarded. The referee will indicate points awarded by pointing to the contestant with one hand and raising his other hand indicating the number of points to be awarded. The referee will also announce the number of points. Each judge will record the number of points, by clicking the appropriate number on their clickers.

2. Referee awarded points.

a. Zero points are awarded if:

(1) A throw is attempted, but the other contestant pulls the thrower down with him and neither can show control;

(2) One contestant uses a falling technique to attack unsuccessfully; or

(3) One contestant uses a flying offensive technique with a deliberately falling technique, the latter one will not score.

b. One point is awarded if the contestant being thrown uses a throw "counter technique" and reverses the beginning thrower in regards to position of control or command. The contestant who ends up in the controlling or commanding position within a count of one after both contestants hit the floor shall receive the one point. If both contestants end up side to side no points shall be awarded.

c. Two points are awarded:

(1) For any knockdown from a strike (punch or kick) if the technique is clean and the standing contestant does not touch the ring floor and the fallen contestant is not given a standing eight count and rises off the mat quickly after the knockdown;

(2) For any basic throw that is not high altitude or of extreme skill or difficulty and the thrower remains standing; or

(3) If the contestant is forced to fall by the opponent's techniques, including the opponent deliberately falling while dodging defensively.

d. Three points are awarded:

(1) For any high altitude or explosive or extremely difficult throw;

(2) For any knockdown from a strike or any technique that requires the referee to give the contestant a standing eight count; or

(3) If the opponent is knocked down by a dropping sweep, which causes the opponent to come off his feet and land on his back (the sweepers hands may touch the floor).

3. Judges scoring. At the end of each round, each judge will write the total number of points for each contestant on the scorecard. At the end of each round, the event inspector or his designee will award the winning contestant one point and the loosing contestant zero points for that round. At the end of the bout, unless the bout was stopped prior to the end of the scheduled rounds by knockout, technical knockout, or disqualification, the contestant with the most rounds won will be declared the winner. If the bout ends in a decision, the winner is the contestant who wins the most rounds.