IIO Full Contact Iai Rules
What to prepare
(1) Head guard
Any type of head guard is acceptable, but it must cover the face and over the head.
In the case of the All-Japan Tournament, this head guard is to be removed in the best eight or higher fights.
Failure to remove it will result in a forfeit.
(2) Open finger gloves
In addition to these, scabbards (rings worn around the waist) can be borrowed at matches and official soft swords can be obtained at reception.
Start by taking the second piece from outside the folds of the hakama as in the promised kumi-tachi.
Place the soft sword inside the loop that serves as the sheath. If a wakizashi is required, the loop that serves as the sheath is needed for both the tachi and wakizashi, as in practice.
Five referees, Ippon (win) with a majority
Normally, one chief referee plus four assistant referees and a majority of the four referees is an Ippon.
(In a loser’s revival match, there may be two assistant referees.)
You win if you cut without being cut.
If the blade part hits anywhere on the body, you win in Ippon
One minute of the main match. Extensions for a draw shall be 30 seconds.
Disqualification results in Ippon loss Ippon with caution 2.
All momentary grabs, pushes and hang-ups to utilise iai techniques are permitted. In such cases, the sword must be in contact with somewhere in the enemy’s body, even if the enemy is knocked down.
Non-secondary feats of strength may result in a ‘caution 1’.
The game of iai
As this is a game of iai, the first sword must be a drawn sword.
If a fighter starts with a sword style in which the sword is held in a nukiri position, the fighter is immediately instructed to ‘noto’. Entering the court with a drawn sword is not permitted. If not followed, caution 1.
Assumption is a real battle! Aiming at each other is invalid
Aiuchi is invalid because it is a draw. If you stay, it means death.
Let’s fight a battle that will impress the audience.
As a samurai on the battlefield, you want to fight an inspiring battle.
If a stalemate occurs while a sword is drawn, the fighter is instructed to return to the sword as a partition.
The standard for stalemate is 10 seconds. Whether fighting standing or sitting, if a stalemate occurs within the 10-second time frame, the fight is re-started. As this is not chanbara, even if the fighters just continue to hit each other, they are instructed to ‘wait’ and rejoin the fight. Stand and deliver the sword.
If the fighter is not shown to be fighting, he may receive a ‘caution 1’.
The referee may order a ‘stop’ depending on the situation, but if the fighter does not comply, he may receive a ‘caution 1’.
Attacking a fallen opponent
Do not attack a fallen opponent, whether he slips or collapses.
The referee will give a ‘stop’.
If a fighter attacks a downed opponent, whether before or after the “stop” is given, the referee gives a “caution 1”.
Beautiful fights
Intentionally ‘kicking’, ‘punching’ or ‘throwing’ is unacceptable.
Caution 1.”
Deliberately aimed thrust to the throat
If the referee deems it intentional, a ‘disqualification’ will be declared by agreement of the judges.
Deliberate targeted attacks on vital points.
If the referee deems it intentional, a ‘disqualification’ will be declared by agreement of the judges.