1. Duration of the Kumite bout is defined as three minutes for Senior Male Kumite (both teams and individuals). Senior Female bouts will be two minutes. Under 21 years is 3 minutes for the Male category and 2 minutes for the Female category. Cadet and Junior bouts will be two minutes.

2. The timing of the bout starts when the Referee gives the signal to start, and stops each time the Referee calls “YAME”.

3. The timekeeper shall give signals by a clearly audible gong, or buzzer, indicating “15 seconds to go” and “time up”. The “time up” signal marks the end of the bout.

4. Competitors are entitled to a rest period of time between bouts, equal to the standard duration time of the bout. The exception is in the case of change of equipment colour, where this time is extended to five minutes.