Rules

Judging
Once made, referee decisions are final. All decisions are at the referee's discretion.

At the begining of every match, a fateh naama is required. Contenders must shake hands, take a step back and wait for refree's signal to begin.

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Disqualification

• Arguing with the referee or officials will result in immediate disqualification.
• Intentional hits to any part of the face will result in immediate disqualification.
• Any poking (whool) will result in immediate disqualification.
• Intentional hits to the groin area will result in immediate disqualification.
• Any hits that are made in attempt to harm the opponent, will result in immediate disqualification (or foul upon referee's discretion).
• Fouls will remain with the competitor throughout the preliminary rounds of the tournament. Upon reaching the finals foul will be reset.
• Use of foul/disrespectful language will result in a foul.
• Use of hand/arm or foot strikes (kicking or punching) will result in immediate disqualification.
• Using the bottom/handle end of the sothi will result in immediate disqualification.
• Continuing the fight outside of the fight circle will result in immediate disqualification.
• Any other condition/behavior the referee deems inappropriate will result in immediate disqualification.
• The accumulation of 3 fouls, whether technical or physical will
• result in immediate disqualification.

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Scoring

Each fight will consist of one round of three minutes for open groups and two minutes for every other group. Competitors must gather as many points in the allotted time. Only the competitor with the most points and less than three fouls, will be declared winner of the round.

Hits to the lower body will be one point. Hits to the upper torso will be two points and hits to the back and head will result in three points. A hit must be clear to the body, head, arms, legs or the feet of the opponent. Hits to the hands do not count. Hits to the face/ears or hits in attempts to injure will result in a foul.

Any 'skims' (hits that whisk the body) will not be counted as clear hits. Any 'Sanjay Vaar' (hits that both fighters strike at the same time) will not be counted as a hit. Whoever shall make the attempt to strike first (under refree's discretion) will be rewarded the point and the second striker will be docked a foul.

There will be a time limit of 3 minutes per round in open groups and 2 minutes in other groups. In case of a tie the match will go to sudden death overtime, the round will be stopped as usual, the competitors will be requested then to 'fight' until any one competitor makes one clear hit on the opponent (sudden death)

Dropping your sothi will result in you losing the match if the referee feels it was intentional to injure the player (such as throwing your sothi at your opponent in attempts to injure). Otherwise dropping of your sothi unintentionally will result in a foul.

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Rounds
The first round will mark the continuation of the competitors in (winner) circle or the loser circle based upon the results of their first fight for open groups. All other groups will be based on elimination.

The preliminary rounds will be of three minutes. The playoffs will be two rounds of two minutes each and the points will be accumulated. There will be a 20second break in between the rounds.

Open group: Each competitor is allotted one loss. The tournament will progress upon a one loss system. Other groups: Elimination

Open group: The winner of the losers circle must win twice over the winner of the winner circle in order to win the tournament. Other groups: Elimination

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Protective Wear
Competitors are asked to wear whatever protective gear they feel necessary, although shields etc are not allowed. It is advisable that competitors wear some kind of hand-protection. Any protective wear which officials deem inappropriate or which may harm your opponent must be removed upon request.

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Equipment
The fights will be conducted with Gatka sothis and faris (stick and shield) only.
The equipment will be supplied to Gatka fighters before each round Sticks and sheilds will be supplied from a random collection of equipment. Use of personal sothis is not be permitted

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Disclaimer
The blame for any injury is not the responsibility of the organizers of this competition. All such responsibility lies with the participants themselves. Individual participants are encouraged to take out personal insurance cover in case any unforeseen injuries occur.

Participants are advised that this competition is based solely on a friendly basis to encourage Gatka fighters to learn more about their Gatka techniques. Any aggressive behavior should not be brought into the tournament and certainly will not be tolerated.

Rules are subject to change withouth notice.