TCB Rules

THAI CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING RULES

The following is an operational guide to be used by all Thai Championship Boxing (TCB) competitors/staff in order to establish clear expectations on scoring criteria, as well as competition rules/guidelines for future TCB events. This is not meant to be all inclusive, but to provide a baseline for better understanding.  We will only allow two sets of rules, Muay Thai as follows and Glory Rules if you prefer kick-boxing.  Click here for Modified Muay Thai rules.  Following are Muay Thai Rules.  

 SCORING (PLEASE NOTE ANY MENTION TO “GRADE/POINT SYSTEM” IN THIS GUIDELINE IS ONLY USED AS A REFERENCE. THERE ARE NO ACTUAL POINTS AWARDED PER TECHNIQUE IN A MUAY THAI BOUT)

 DEGREES OF EFFECTIVENESS IN MUAY THAI

  1. A clean scoring strike that lands causing an opponent to lose balance or fall scores HIGHEST
  2. A clean scoring strike that lands causing visible reaction or damage scores MORE
  3. A clean scoring strike that lands without visible affect scores LESS

 WHAT DOES SCORE WELL IN MUAY THAI

  • Kicks to the body/head
  • Knees to the body/head
  • Elbows
  • Sweeps/throws
  • Timing shots/interceptions (hitting an opponent in the middle of their attempted technique, stopping an opponent during their attempted technique, off balancing an opponent during their attempted technique).

QUICK REFERENCE GRADE/POINT SYSTEM (BASED ON EFFECTIVNESS/DAMAGE)

·       A Grade: Sweep

  • B Grade: Elbow
  • B Grade: Knee
  • C Grade: Kick
  • D Grade: Punch

SCORING THE KICK

  • A Grade: Head- A grade
  • B+ Grade: Any kick in “hard to land areas” (base leg, under the arms landing on the body, neck
  • B Grade: Body
  • C Grade: Legs
  • If both competitors land kicks on each other at the same time or exchange numerous kicks during a flurry, then the boxer who landed the kicks which required more precise timing or accuracy should win the favor of the judges.
  • Any kick should be favored for the competitor using it, regardless what part of the shin/foot they strike with so long as the kick deters their opponents offensive flow, balance, or stops their opponent’s attempted technique.

SCORING SWEEPS/CATCHING THE KICK

  • A Grade: The Sweep (The sweep is rarely seen as an offensive move, but is one of best scoring techniques in Muay Thai)
  • While attempting to sweep there is no reaping (judo throw), hip tossing, or lifting to slam
  • All sweep techniques must be “bone to bone” or “boot to boot” (foot on foot)
  • If the sweep resulted after catching an opponent’s kick, the kick should still score if it is doing or has done obvious damage.
  • While catching an opponent’s kick you may hold on to it for 1 step, 1 technique or 1 second. However, the competitor may continue to strike their opponent so long as they are actively and effectively landing strikes.
  • “Plowing” or hanging on to the opponent’s leg after catching their kick and moving forward with more than one step in order to deter your partners balance is prohibited.

SCORING THE FRONT KICK (TEEP)

·       A Grade: Teep that is executed with precise timing that knocks an opponent down (striking surface is irrelevant)

  • B Grade: Teep to the face
  • C Grade: Teep to body
  • The Teep should be scored highly if it is used in an effective/versatile manner (both offensively and defensively)
  • The Teep should be scored higher if it is used in an effective defensive manner which demands precise timing and accuracy.
  • The Teep should be scored highest when it is used effectively to keep partner outside of striking range and is used to keep opponent from ever getting too close which displays ring control.

 SCORING THE ELBOW

  • A Grade: High risk elbow (spinning or jumping with contact with the above direct targets)
  • A Grade: Elbow causing significant physical damage or laceration
  • B Grade: Elbow to direct targets on the head (temple, jaw, nose, eye brows
  • C Grade: Elbow to the head
  • Bringing the elbow in a downward spike motion (from 12 to 6) to the head is strictly prohibited however, it is allowed from the clavicle down.
  • The elbow should not be scored highly unless it does obvious physical damage or makes contact as a pronounced strike.
  • If the elbow results in a cut or laceration dripping blood into the eyes of the boxer, the fight may be stopped at the discretion of the referee or doctor.

SCORING THE KNEE 

  • A Grade: Knee to head
  • B Grade: Strait knee
  • C Grade: Curve knee
  • Straight knee vs curved knee (depending on the effectiveness) straight knee should take the favor.
  • Must strike with tip/end or inside of knee. This takes the favor over use of the inside of the leg.
  • Any knee can be scored higher regardless of the striking surface or the surface it lands on so long as it does obvious damage.

WHAT WILL NOT SCORE HIGH IN MUAY THAI

  • Punches – In traditional Thai boxing, the punch is the only padded weapon on the boxer and can be referred to as a “soft” weapon. Unless the punch does obvious damage, or interrupts the other boxer’s balance or deters the opposing boxer’s offensive flow then it should not suffice to sway significant scoring. However, If the fighter successfully executes any of the previous listed actions through using his punches (soft weapon) it should be scored very highly and easily sway the judge’s favor. The logic behind such train of thought it that it is harder to do damage with a padded or “soft weapon” than it is to do with a non-padded or “hard weapon”.
  • Misuse or poor use if the clinch. – For example, attempting to us the clinch in order to stall or using the clinch and ineffectively stopping their opponent or their opponents “game plan”.
  • Knees that do not land on torso or head – knees to legs can be scored highly only if obvious damage is being done.

EXCEPTIONS TO THE PREVIOUS TECNIQUES

  • The techniques are clean and powerful
  • Shows visible affects/causes damage
  • Causes an opponent to lose balance or position (moves because of strike not with the strike)

STANDING 8 COUNT

  • Determined by referee
  • Standing eight count is an automatic point deduction from the fighters over all round score
  • Round can be scored against the fighter as a 10-9 round if they clearly won the round aside from the 8 count.

 FLASH KNOCKOUT/BALANCE SHOTS

  • Even though an eight count may not have been given to the boxer who was knocked down it can help sway the decision in favor of the opposing boxer.
  • A boxer may be knocked down and return to their feet without receiving an eight count at the referees discretion.
  • Even though a boxer may not have been given an eight count after being knocked down, if the strike was obviously executed to deter their opponents balance the strike should be scored very highly.

WHO WON THE ROUND

  • The competitor who landed the cleanest/most effective technique.
  • The more aggressive competitor (however if the boxer is aggressive and not landing his attempted techniques then he is NOT winning the round)
  • The competitor who maintains ring control. Moving backwards DOES NOT mean the boxer is losing. It is in fact harder to fight moving backwards and still land clean effective technique. So by elusively moving backwards to control or counter act their opponent’s aggression and land clean effective technique, the boxer’s technique should be scored extremely high if he executes it while moving backwards.
  • The competitor who lands the most techniques (based on effectiveness) I.E. “boxer A” lands ten strikes. However “boxer B” landed only five strikes, but his strikes were delivered with much more effectiveness, or with better timing or delivered in a counter acting or elusive manor. In such a case the favor should sway towards “boxer B”
  • The competitor who has less violations in the round.

DETERMINING THE WINNER

  • Based off the criteria above, the winner should be decided based on the competitor who displays the most clean and effective technique while fighting as well as inflicting the most damage.
  • In the unlikely case of a draw, the referee will decide the winner based off the aforementioned criteria.

 PROPER ATTIRE

  • Muay Thai Shorts – All competitors must wear traditional style satin or nylon Muay Thai shorts (may/may not be provided by the promotion). MMA shorts, Kickboxing shorts or any other style or Material will not be allowed and the competitor will not be allowed to compete. (Competitors must wear either blue or red Muay Thai shorts. The color of the shorts will correspond with the corner assigned to him/her for their bout. Red shorts for red corner and blue shorts for blue corner. (Not currently enforced but will be enforced once TCB shorts are provided in the future)).
  • Groin Protection–
    1. All male competitors must wear a steel groin protector/cup. The protector/cup is tied with a knot behind the back and neatly covered/taped ends. Plastic, neoprene or any other material are unsatisfactory and the competitor will be not be able to participate (Not currently enforced but will be enforced in the future).
    2. Female Participants must have groin protection, rash guards and pregnancy tests. The female protective covering must be made of strong material capable to protect them from strong blows or strikes. If applicable, both sides would have to agree to wear the same protective equipment.
  • Mouth Piece
  • Mongkon – Each gym/camp has the responsibility to provide the fighter with a mongkon that must be worn previous to entering the ring up until returning to the center of the ring for the starting of the bout.
  • Prajiat/armband – Permitted but not required
  • Ankle supports– Permitted but not required.  Only one support permitted per each ankle. One strip of tape to secure the ankle support in place, but no “casting”

Bout Classification

Professional – Full Rules Muay Thai.

  • Punches, knee strikes, kicks, elbows, and sweeps permitted
  • Protective Gear – Boxing Gloves, Groin Protector, Mouthpiece
  • Bout Duration- Professional bouts will consist of 5 X 3 min rounds with a 1 min breaking period between rounds.

Amateur – Full Rules

  • Punches, knee strikes, kicks and elbows are Permitted
  • NO knees to the head for B Class
  • Protective Gear- Boxing Gloves, Groin Protector, Mouthpiece Elbow Pads, and Shin Guards. Elbow pads, shin guards, and gloves will be provided by the promotion to ensure quality and an equal standard.
  • Bout Duration- A Class Amateur bouts will consist of 5 X 2 or 3 x 2 min rounds with a 1 min breaking period between rounds.
  • C Class Amateur Fighters
    1. 0-5 fights are 3 rounds with shin guards and elbow pads.
    2. No knees will be allowed to the head or any blows to the head by Juniors.
    3. All Junior Muay Thai is considered Exhibition C Class w/ Head Gear mandatory.
    4. Fighting in other disciplines of striking arts (MMA, Boxing, Boonchu, Lethwei, etc) counts against your record and should be reported as such. This includes non-sanctioned events (Smokers, Streetbeefs, etc). Non-sanctioned or exhibition fights will be counted as draws on your overall record in our database.
    5. B Class classified competitors cannot contend for a title fight.
    6. 3 x 2 min (3 x 1.5 min for Juniors) rounds with a 1 min breaking period between rounds.
  • B Class Amateur Fighters
    1. 6 fights or more
    2. 5 X 2 or 3 x 2 min rounds with a 1 min breaking period between rounds with elbow pads (promotion will decide on the duration of the fight).
    3. Knees to the head are allowed.
    4. Fighting in other disciplines of striking arts (MMA, Boxing, Boonchu, Lethwei, etc) counts against your record and should be reported as such. This includes non-sanctioned events (Smokers, Streetbeefs, etc). Non-sanctioned fights will be counted as draws on your overall record in our database.
    5. Top ranked active competitors will be asked to compete for TCB titles.
    6. Top ranked competitors/champions will have promotion preference to make pro debut on future TCB events.
  • A Class Amateur Fighters
    1. Must be Main Event bout, Co-Main Event bout or TITLE bout
    2. Must have 6 fights or more
    3. 5 X 2 min rounds with a 1 min breaking period between rounds
    4. Main Event and Co-Main (non-titles) have option of Class B Rules or Full Muay Thai (both fighters must agree).
    5. Title fights must be Full Rules Muay Thai.

Gloves & Weight

  • Up to 147 lbs requires 10-12 oz leather gloves (12 oz gloves currently used but will eventually go to 10 oz)
  • Weight classes above 147 requires 12 oz leather gloves

Pre – Fight Ritual

  • Seal the Ring- Competitors must seal the ring by paying respect to each corner before their bout
  • Wai Kru/Ram Muay – Will be allowed at the discretion of the promotion for main event/title fights. It is the responsibility for each fighter to know and perform a Wai Kru/ Ram Muay after sealing the ring when Wai Kru/Ram Muay has been allowed. The Wai Kru/Ram Muay can be as simple or complicated as the fighter may like, the only requirement is it cannot exceed 1 min after the ring is sealed.

RANKINGS

  1. Fights for Thai Championship Boxing and any associated promotions will count as credit towards competitors’ ranking.
  2. Top ranked fighters will fight for the Thai Championship Boxing title belt upon request from the promotion. If the competitor turns down the opportunity, it will be offered to the next ranked competitor down the rankings until there is acceptance. Promotion may occasionally have to offer opportunities out of direct order based on multiple factors including but not limited to availability, scheduling conflict, opponents being from affiliated gyms, etc.
  3. Belts and Titles- Thai Championship Boxing will determine who is eligible for belts and titles and verify fairness/competitiveness through the associated sanctioning body.
  4. At the discretion of the promotion, competitors will lose points and possibly be dropped from the rankings for inactivity/pulling out of fights without medical verification. Competitor must withdraw within 30 days of the schedule event to avoid penalty unless it is for verifiable emergency or medical reasons.

MEDICALS (All Fighters are required to have at the minimum):

  1. Physical within 180 days of the scheduled event date
  2. Bloodwork- Hep B (surface antigen required, antibodies test is not valid), Hep C, HIV up to date within 180 days of the scheduled event date.

 

PROFESSIONAL FIGHTERS

  1. Proper state license
  2. Additional medicals required by the VA BMAW Commission.

REGISTRATION

  1. Each gym/camp/team as well as all participating fighters must register with TCB via their online registration portal at fighterregistration.com and submit all paperwork.
  2. Fighters that complete ALL required fields in their registration, have returned all signed waivers and forms, have submitted a pic, blood work and paperwork at least one week prior to the event will receive one free GA ticket or wristband.
  3. Access to professional photos taken of the fighter at weigh-ins will be given once all required documents have been fully completed and signed.