Duration of contests
All BLCC Non title fights will be held over 3 x 1 minute rounds with a 1 minute rest in between rounds. On occasion bouts featuring more experienced BLCC competitors may be lengthened to 3 x 1.5 minute rounds but only after consultation and on agreement from both fighters camps prior to the contest.
BLCC title fights will be held over the following durations
Area title fights - 5 x 1 minute rounds
English title fights - 5 x 1.5 minute rounds
British title fights - 5 x 2 minute rounds
All BLCC Non title fights will be held over 3 x 1 minute rounds with a 1 minute rest in between rounds. On occasion bouts featuring more experienced BLCC competitors may be lengthened to 3 x 1.5 minute rounds but only after consultation and on agreement from both fighters camps prior to the contest.
BLCC title fights will be held over the following durations
Area title fights - 5 x 1 minute rounds
English title fights - 5 x 1.5 minute rounds
British title fights - 5 x 2 minute rounds
General Rules and regulations
The rules for BLCC Light Continuous are based on Full Contact Kickboxing style but with the emphasis being on Controlled technique. Bouts will be judged between the referee and two other independent judges at ringside or three independent scoring judges. In the case of title fights the bouts will be scored between three independent judges. The judges will score on a 10 point must system on their overall impression of the rounds taking all the following criteria into account.
Point deductions can be made by the referee at any time depending on the nature of the rule break. Minor infringements of the rules may result in the referee issuing a Private warning. More serious infringements of the rules may see the referee issue a public warning or even depending on the severity of the rule break deduct one point from the fighter at fault. After a first Public warning the referee will deduct a point. Any public warnings after that will result in immediate disqualification. The referee has the authority to disqualify a fighter at his discretion before or after any warnings are issued.
Warnings will generally be given for the following infringements of the rules.
The rules for BLCC Light Continuous are based on Full Contact Kickboxing style but with the emphasis being on Controlled technique. Bouts will be judged between the referee and two other independent judges at ringside or three independent scoring judges. In the case of title fights the bouts will be scored between three independent judges. The judges will score on a 10 point must system on their overall impression of the rounds taking all the following criteria into account.
- Effective and controlled technique with a good ratio of punches to kicks scoring cleanly to the target area. All kicks above the waist, standing footsweep (inside and outside) boot to boot. No back fists, ridge hand strikes or spinning back fists will be allowed.
- Active Defence, Movement and Ring craft with defensive skills scoring as highly as techniques on the offence.
- Work rate and Physical condition of the fighters during the contest.
- Any point deductions made by the referee (see below)
Point deductions can be made by the referee at any time depending on the nature of the rule break. Minor infringements of the rules may result in the referee issuing a Private warning. More serious infringements of the rules may see the referee issue a public warning or even depending on the severity of the rule break deduct one point from the fighter at fault. After a first Public warning the referee will deduct a point. Any public warnings after that will result in immediate disqualification. The referee has the authority to disqualify a fighter at his discretion before or after any warnings are issued.
Warnings will generally be given for the following infringements of the rules.
- Excess power or illegal technique.
- Unsportsmanlike conduct from either the fighter or the fighter’s corner team.
- Turning of the back or showing an unwillingness to fight.
Medical stoppages
The Medics at ringside have the deciding say and can request a fight to be stopped in the interest of a fighter’s safety at any point.
If an accidental injury occurs before the half way point of the fight and a fighter is unable to continue the bout will be declared a No Contest. If an accidental injury occurs after the half way point and it is not down to the other fighter breaking the rules the fight goes to the score cards with all judges scoring the bout up to that point to find a winner.
Conduct at Ringside
In the corner, cornermen and coaches should at all time conduct themselves in a sportsmanlike manner. They should refrain from banging the canvas at any point, using bad language or over aggressive tones and should always be situated in the corner and at canvas level whilst a fight is in progress.
There should never be any more than three cornermen in or around a fighters corner and only one of those cornermen are permitted to step inside the ropes before the bout and during the breaks in the rounds.
Nothing should be administered to a fighter in the corner other than water and where needed inhalers for asthmatics.
The corner team should keep a clean corner. They should be careful not to spill water on the canvas or leave potential hazards on the canvas like water bottles, sprays, buckets or towels that could potentially cause harm or injuries to fighters.
Cornermen are expected to adhere to the seconds out rule and be clear of the ropes by the time the next round is scheduled to start.
Coaches should remain professional at all times even at the disappointment of a decision they deem to be incorrect going the opposite way. They should follow correct protocol of approaching the chief referee with any grievances or queries regarding decisions. Discourteous or disrespectful corners will not be tolerated by the BLCC and offenders risk having their fighter falling victim to point deductions or disqualification because of their actions. They also risk as a club being suspended or banned from future BLCC promoted events.
The head coach or instructor of a club are also responsible for its spectator’s behaviour and should at all times try to keep them under control and behaving in a respectable manner.
Scoring Crireria
The BLCC Scoring system takes all of the following criteria into account. And ALL should be considered by the judge when coming to his decision on who is the winner of the round.
Offence: This is based on Effective and controlled technique scored onto a legal target area using the correct part of the fist when punching and good form when kicking i.e. balance and finesse. Offence is not based on how much is thrown but how much is landed.
Active Defence: This is based on deliberate defensive movements like slips and rolls of the head, parries and blocks with the hands, arms and knees and side steps that result in an opponent’s attacks missing their target or becoming ineffective.
Ring craft: This is based on footwork, control of the ring and ring generalship.
Work Rate: This is based on the busier fighter using clean, effective and controlled technique.
Punch / kick ratio: This is based on a fighter using an equal ratio of boxing and kicking technique and not neglecting one or the other.
Physical condition of fighters: This is based on the fitness and conditioning of a fighter during a contest.
Fighting Attire
All competitors are expected to wear their club or gyms uniform whilst competing. ALL competitors must compete in t-shirts or a vest in good repair without any zips or buttons showing. The trousers also should have no zips or buttons showing and cover all protective equipment from the waist down to the contact boot. No Thai Boxing or MMA board shorts are allowed. To protect the image of the sport we strongly discourage football tops or polo shirts or general sports or leisure wear.
Fighters Condition
No jewellery can be worn by any competitor and must be removed prior to the contest starting. Toe nails should be clean and cut short and long hair must be tied back underneath their headguard.
Protective Equipment
Headguard
All BLCC Competitors must wear well fitting and adjusted headguards fit for the purpose of Ring Light Continuous Competition. The top of the headguard should be padded and not the open type used predominantly for boxing competition. The preferred types of headguard recommended by the BLCC are Top Ten and Adidas brand. Headguards with full face masks may be worn only for medical exceptions and must be cleared with the tournament organiser prior to the contest.
Gumshield
All BLCC Competitors must wear a fitted gumshield for the duration of the contest. A contest cannot commence without both fighters wearing their gumshield’s. Once the contest has started a competitor failing to do so will first face a point deduction and then disqualification on the repeat offence of not having the gumshield in place.
Gloves
All gloves must be marked as 10oz minimum and be in good repair. If the gloves are not marked or there are any disputes or questions over the weight they must be changed for another pair. The padding in the glove must not be broken down or tampered with in any way. A laced glove must be taped around the wrist to cover the laces with a non abrasive tape. Velcro strapped wrists must be well attached squarely with no part of the wrist strap loose that could potentially cause injuries. If this is the case they must too be taped securely or changed for another pair. Please also note that no budget novelty gloves or bag gloves of a 10oz variety can be used in BLCC competition.
Female Chest Guard
All female competitors that are showing should wear a well fitting chest protector underneath their t-shirt or fighting vest. As with the groin protectors they will not be physically checked but a fighter found to be not wearing them in the course of the contest risks having point deductions or even face disqualification.
Groin Protector
Groin protectors are compulsory for all competitors and are to be worn underneath the competitor’s trousers. Fighters will be asked beforehand if they are wearing them but will not be physically checked by either the referee or the runner. If during the course of the contest the fighter cannot continue due to a low blow and is then found to be not wearing a groin protector they will be disqualified.
Shin Pads
Shin pads covering at least 70% of the shin must be worn by all competitors underneath the trousers. No hard shin pads i.e. football type can be worn.
Contact Boots
Contact boots must be worn by all competitors. They must be in good repair covering all the toes and completely covering the heel of the foot. The toes must be attached to the boot using the toe straps where applicable. Any tape used on the boot should be non abrasive. No socks can be worn under the boot and toe nails must be cut short to eliminate the possibility of causing scratches and cuts.
Please Note... Should a fighter be found to be wearing ill fitting equipment that is constantly coming loose during the course of the contest or falling off a fighter and his cornerman will be given a maximum of 90 seconds on the clock to change that piece of equipment. Failure to do so in that time will result in a point deduction or possibly disqualification.