Tsubazeriai Rules

COVID MODIFIED TSUBAZERIAI RULES

1. Shiai-sha shall avoid tsubazeriai.
2. When tsubazeriai cannot be avoided and there is contact, shiai-sha must either:
   1. execute hikiwaza, or waza as soon as they come in contact with each other, or,
   2. if no waza is executed, both shiai-sha shall proactively and immediately separate themselves from each other.

The time leading to the separation shall be about the length of one breath which is about 3 seconds.

3. Shai-sha shall make effort in separating themselves without waiting for shushin to call yame.
4. If this does not happen and tsubazeriai continues, shushin shall call yame immediately.
5. Shiai-sha may be penalised with hansoku if refusing to separate, if intentionally wasting time, or if they continue to approach their opponent with defensive posture (i.e., avoiding fighting).
6. When mutually separating, shiai-sha shall do so together, in equal spirits, utilising the mutual force pushing each other back and with the shinogi in contact. Shiai-sha shall not open or lower their kensen. Shiai-sha shall move to a distance where their kensen do not touch (minimum two fists away as a guide). The same applies to jyodan and ni-to shiai-sha.
7. Shiai-sha shall not press, strike or maki (twist) opponent’s shinai, or gyaku-kousa (cross shinai on the ura) whilst separating.
8. No waza shall be attempted or executed whilst shiai-sha are separating. If a waza is executed, that waza shall not be considered yukou-datotsu.
9. If a waza is attempted or executed whilst shiai-sha are separating, the offending shiai-sha may be penalised a hansoku. This includes oikomi datotsu (chasing datotsu) or feigning to separate then executing a waza.
10. In each situation above, shinpan shall confer in gogi and make judgement as to whether to award hansoku based on each cause and circumstance.

Issued by VKTC for use at 2023 Victorian Kendo Championships

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Explanatory Notes

Explanatory notes on each of the above rules have been inserted below.

These Rules are introduced to minimise the risk of transmission of coronavirus during shiai and they will remain in place while the pandemic continues.

*They are primarily related to tsubazeriai, the ways to separate from each other and also associated hansoku matters in the process of separation. Both Shiaisha and Shinpanin are expected to be fully aware of the nature of these rules and should become accustomed to them and able to put them into practice.

1. Shiai-sha shall avoid tsubazeriai.

*Tsubazeriai is the situation where both tsubas are locked against each other at about chudan height with both kensen tilted to the right. Other kind of contacts should not be mixed up with tsubazeriai. Shinpanin are expected to distinguish general contacts from tsubazeriai and take appropriate action depending on the circumstances.

2. When tsubazeriai occurs, shiai-sha must either:

• execute hikiwaza, or waza immediately after going into tsubazeriai. In this situation, legitimate kuzushi techniques – a technique to break the opponent’s kamae or composure is permitted.

3. Shai-sha shall make effort in separating themselves without waiting for the shushin to call yame.

*Time leading to the separation of the shiaisha is about 3 seconds. Shushin calls yame rather than wakare when the players are in tsubazeriai and not separating mutually from tsubazeriai.

4. If this does not happen and tsubazeriai continues, shushin shall call yame immediately.

*Shinpanin need to identify if it is tsubazeriai or other contact. If identified as tsubazeriai and it is continuing, then shushin should call yame and bring the shiaisha to kaishi-sen. Calling yame for matters related to tsubazeriai is reserved for shushin.

5. Shiai-sha may be penalised with hansoku if refusing to separate, if intentionally wasting time, or if they continue to approach their opponent with defensive posture (i.e., avoiding fighting).

*In this situation, shinpan call yame and hold gogi before applying hansoku. Gogi should be kept short before shinpan come to an agreement.

6. When mutually separating, shiai-sha shall do so together, in equal spirits, and with the shinogi in contact. Shiai-sha shall not open or lower their kensen. Shiai-sha shall move to a distance where their kensen do not touch (minimum about two fists away as a guide).

*This is specifically in case of tsubazeriai and not for general contacts. Tsubazeriai needs to be established and identified first. Mutual separation being a process of separation taking place of players’ own accord in mutual agreement.

7. Shiai-sha shall not press, strike or maki (twist) opponent’s shinai, or gyaku-kousa (cross shinai on the ura) whilst separating.

8. No waza shall be attempted or executed whilst shiai-sha are mutually separating. If a waza is executed, that waza shall not be considered yukou-datotsu.

*These rules are self-explanatory. These conducts are regarded as a violation of Article 1 of FIK Shiai and Shinpan Rules and Regulations.

9. If a waza is attempted or executed whilst shiai-sha are separating, the offending shiai-sha may be penalised a hansoku. This includes oikomi datotsu (chasing datotsu) or feigning to separate then executing a waza.

*These rules are specifically about players’ conduct during the process of mutual separation from tsubazeriai. Shinpanins are expected to identify as to whether the players are in mutual separation or otherwise.

10. For the application of Hansoku, shinpanin shall confer in gogi and make a judgement as to whether apply hansoku based on each cause and circumstance.