Amateur and professional fighters may choose any rule sets: International Rules, Unified Rules, Modified Muay Thai, Full Rules Muay Thai or Freestyle Kickboxing. Amateurs fighting Full Rules Muay Thai are required to wear elbow pads. Select a rule set to learn more about it.
What is legal in each rule set. Pick a column heading to read that rule set in full.
TECHNIQUE
BOXING PUNCHES
KICKS TO THE LEGS
KNEES
ELBOWS
CLINCHING
CATCHING THE LEG
See rule set
SWEEPS
THROWS & TAKEDOWNS
This table is a summary. The full rule set below is authoritative — read it before you sign a bout agreement.
striking areas
◆ Front of the face (from ears forward).
◆ Front and sides of the body.
◆ Inside and outside of the thighs.
◆ Inside and outside of shins.
legal strikes
◆ All standard boxing punches.
◆ All kicks, except for those noted under “Illegal Strikes”. Fighter may kick to the inside and outside of the legs (shin or foot) and above the waist.
◆ Spinning back fists with the heel of fist or the back of the hand.
◆ Front leg sweeps, foot-to-foot to the inside & outside of opponents’ front foot is permitted by both feet of the striker/sweeper.
◆ No kick minimum.
illegal strikes
✕ No elbows.
✕ No sweeps.
✕ No neck or hip throws.
✕ No clinching.
✕ No catching or trapping a leg.
✕ No lifting your opponent.
✕ No side kicks to the legs.
✕ No front kicks to the thighs.
✕ No kicks to the knees.
✕ No hammer strikes.
✕ No strikes to the back of the head.
✕ No cartwheel kicks.
✕ No spin sweeps.
✕ No calf kicks.
striking areas
◆ Front of the face (from ears forward).
◆ Front of the body.
◆ Inside and outside of the thighs.
◆ Inside and outside of shins.
legal strikes
◆ All standard boxing punches.
◆ All kicks, except for those noted under “Illegal Strikes”.
◆ Spinning back fists with the heel of fist or the back of the hand.
◆ Knees are allowed (except to the head for amateur fighters).
◆ Clinching is allowed for 3-5 seconds, as long as you are working.
◆ Catching/trapping the leg is allowed as long as you counter quickly. Do not hold onto the leg. You may counter your opponent with punches or kicks above the knee. You may not kick below the knee.
◆ No kick minimum.
illegal strikes
✕ No elbows.
✕ No knees to the head.
✕ No sweeps (striking boot to boot.)
✕ No neck or hip throws.
✕ No lifting your opponent.
✕ No calf/cut kicks that strike below the knee.
✕ No sidekicks to the legs.
✕ No front kicks to the thighs.
✕ No cartwheel kicks.
✕ No kicks to the knees.
✕ No hammer strikes.
✕ No strikes to the back of the head.
✕ No sweeps or dumping your opponent.
Modified Muay Thai (MMT) may be chosen for a bout if both parties agree. The following provides more information about this rule set.
striking areas
◆ Front of the face (from ears forward).
◆ Front of the body.
◆ Inside and outside of the legs.
legal strikes
◆ All standard boxing punches are allowed.
◆ All kicks, except for those noted under “Illegal Strikes”.
◆ Spinning backfists/hands.
◆ Knees are allowed (except to the head).
◆ Clinching is allowed as long as you are working. Referee will break up stagnated clinches.
◆ Catching the leg is allowed as long as you counter quickly. Holding the leg is not allowed. You may catch the leg and sweep your opponent.
◆ Sweeps are allowed.
◆ No kick minimum.
illegal strikes
✕ No elbows.
✕ No neck or hip throws.
✕ No knees to the head.
✕ No lifting your opponent.
✕ No side kicks to the legs.
✕ No front kicks to the thighs.
✕ No kicks to the knees.
✕ No hammer strikes.
✕ No strikes to the back of the head.
✕ No cartwheel kicks.
✕ No spin sweeps.
striking areas
◆ Front of the face (from ears forward).
◆ Front of the body.
◆ Inside and outside of the legs.
legal strikes
◆ All punches
◆ All kicks
◆ Knees
◆ Elbows
◆ Sweeps
illegal strikes
✕ No kicks to the knees.
✕ No hammer strikes.
✕ No strikes to the back of the head.
✕ No 12-6 elbows are allowed (dropping or spiking elbows.)
The only rule set with throws and takedowns. Once a fighter is grounded, all striking stops.
There are two Freestyle rule sets: Modified Freestyle, which does not allow elbows, and Full Rules Freestyle, which permits elbows. All other rules listed below apply to both rule sets.
Freestyle Kickboxing provides a bridge between Kickboxing, Muay Thai and Mixed Martial Arts. Throws and takedowns are allowed, but you cannot strike a grounded opponent.
QUICK ANSWERS
Bout Structure
◆ Each round lasts 2 minutes with a 1-minute rest between.
◆ Most bouts are 3 rounds; championship bouts may be 5 rounds.
◆ Fights take place in a ring with at least four ropes or an IKF-approved padded enclosure (minimum 16’x16’).
Referee & Officials
◆ The referee, ringside physician, or IKF lead representative are the only ones who can stop a bout.
◆ Referee authority begins when inspectors exit the ring and ends when they return post-fight.
Fighter Equipment
◆ Mouthguard required; no round starts without it.
◆ Fighters wear 10 oz. hybrid shooter gloves (half-finger, bubble-style).
◆ Hand wraps: 1 roll of gauze (20 yds max) + 1 roll of tape (10 ft max) per hand.
◆ Mandatory gear: headgear (taped/secured), shin guards with instep padding, groin protection (males).
◆ Female attire: rash guard/sports bra (no loose tops), optional breast protection.
◆ No shoes or jewelry. Hair must be safely secured.
Fighter conduct
◆ Leaving the ring without permission = disqualification or TKO.
◆ Knockdowns: mandatory 8-count, no saving by the bell. Outside ring knockdowns: apron = 10-count; floor/table = 20-count.
◆ Standing 8-count is in effect.
◆ Fighters must rise without assistance.
Legal Strikes
◆ Punches: above the waist (no neck/throat).
◆ Kicks: to legs and torso (not knees/groin/joints).
◆ Knees: to body and legs only (not head/spine).
◆ Elbows: allowed with pads (adults only).
◆ All Judo, Wrestling, and BJJ throws, trips, and sweeps are legal.
Clinch and ground rules
◆ Fighters have 5 seconds in the clinch to throw knees/elbows or execute takedowns.
◆ Once grounded: no striking allowed.
◆ Fighters must return to their feet promptly and safely.
◆ Posting out with arms to break a fall is discouraged due to injury risk.
Fouls (Prohibited Actions)
◆ Headbutts, groin shots, eye pokes, biting, spitting.
◆ Strikes to the spine, back of head, or downed opponents.
◆ Wrestling-style slams, spiking, full nelsons, or throwing out of the ring.
◆ Holding ropes, late hits, unsportsmanlike conduct.
◆ Striking during a break or after the bell.
Judging criteria
◆ Bouts scored using the 10-Point Must System: 10-9 clear advantage, 10-8 dominance or knockdown, 10-7/10-6 multiple knockdowns.
◆ Judges evaluate damage, domination, and duration, then aggressiveness/control.
◆ Grounding techniques may affect scoring (dominance/damage).
◆ Ties are judged on aggressiveness, control, and effective defense.
Victory Conditions
◆ Decision: unanimous, split, majority, or technical.
◆ Draw: unanimous, split, majority, or technical.
◆ KO: inability to answer 10-count or unfit to continue.
◆ TKO: referee/doctor stoppage, corner surrender, or inability to defend.
◆ Disqualification: repeated or intentional fouls, corner interference.
◆ No Contest: early accidental injury (before 2 full rounds)
Injury & Time Considerations
◆ Low blows & eye pokes: up to 5 minutes recovery.
◆ If recovery exceeds 5 minutes, outcome depends on foul type and bout progress.
◆ Loss of bodily control: automatic medical TKO.
◆ Ringside physician has final authority on fighter safety.
Name your rule set on the fighter application and your coach will be contacted with matchmaking details for the next Triangle Kickboxing Promotions card.