SAN DA / SAN SHOU
Chinese Full-Contact Free Boxing

 

This relatively unknown style in Europe is the 'ultimate' competition style of Chinese Full-Contact Fighting. San Da (also known as San-shou) requires a very extreme regime of training and to reach a high competition can take many,many years of work.

The two fighters meet on a raised platform (surrounded by padding) and the object is then to "win" the platform and somehow force the opponent off, or repeatedly to the floor. The contact is 'full' and fighters may kick , punch or throw the opponent. Also the low-leg-kick is allowed in San Da. Both fighters must wear a Headguard, Boxing gloves, bodyprotector ,groinprotector and shinguards.

Bouts are usually very fast and furious with one person often 'flying' from the platform or taking a heavy hook-punch k.o. !

In China there are regular Sanda/Sanshou tournaments and there are a few ,very specialized and respected, Sanda schools around the country who regularly put out great Champions. Also in Europe the standard has been set high by the Russian team who have developed a high level because of their close sports-relationship with China.

Usually students must train in the Hong Ying school for a minimum of 2 years 'normal training' before they can be considered for Sanda Training. This time is required in oder for the student to condition themselves for the very hard road ahead.

Jay Clayson doing Sanda

SAN SHOU RULES

The rules may vary from tournament to tournament, but these are the basic guidelines:

Scoring

The Fight is Awarded if:

  1. The opponent is knocked out or incapacitated.

The Round is Awarded if:

  1. The opponent is forced off the platform twice.

Three Points are Awarded if:

  1. The opponent is forced off the platform
  2. The opponent is knocked down by backward or forward sweep while competitor remains standing (hands are allowed to touch the ground on the backward sweep but not the forward sweep)
  3. The opponent is knocked down by use of a hooked leg kick while competitor remains standing
  4. The opponent is forced to fall by the competitor’s techniques, including the competitors deliberately falling while dodging defensively

Two Points are Awarded if:

  1. The opponent falls while the competitor remains standing
  2. The competitor hits the opponent in the trunk once with the legs
  3. The opponent receives an official warning penalty

One Point is Awarded if:

  1. The competitor hits the opponent once on a valid part with a hand technique
  2. The competitor hits the opponent once on a valid part with a leg technique
  3. The opponent receives a caution once
  4. Both opponents apply methods to force the other down, and both fall, the one who falls last receives the point
  5. Both competitors remain passive for eight seconds, the opponent is ordered to attack by the referee, and the opponent remains passive for another eight seconds

No Point is Awarded if:

  1. Both competitors hit each other on valid parts at the same time successively
  2. Both competitors fall down or off the platform at the same time or successively
  3. The competitor throws the opponent to the ground or off the platform after holding for two seconds or more
  4. One opponent uses a falling technique to attack and does not succeed
  5. One opponent uses a flying offensive technique with a deliberately falling technique, the latter will not score a point
  6. The competitor kicks the lower leg when the opponent defends by raising knee
  7. Unclear techniques are used and no obvious hits to valid parts are scored
  8. The opponent is hit by fists during a double-holding
  9. No one scores when one competitor back or forward sweeps the other competitor’s valid part while under the other’s body (The opponent was forced or fell to the ground under the competitor while trying to kick or sweep the competitor)

Fouls and Penalties

Technical Fouls:

  1. Deliberate delay of match after the referee has signaled the start or one competitor starts after five-second delay
  2. Time-out requested when in a disadvantageous position
  3. Shouting and advice-giving from coach or doctor from outside the platform during a fight
  4. Ungentlemanly behavior to the referee/judge or flouting of officiated decisions
  5. Shouting loudly and impolitely during a fight to frighten or disturb one’s opponent
  6. Purposely loosening protective gear or spitting out mouthpiece during a fight

Personal Fouls:

  1. Attacking the opponent before the judge gives the start signal, or after he gives the stop signal
  2. Using prohibited techniques, including:
    • Stikes to the back of the head, neck, throat, or crotch
    • Elbow or knee strikes
    • Striking opponent’s head continuously to deliberately injure opponent
    • Use of excessive force to cause opponents to fall head over heels off the platform
    • Attacking a fallen opponent (except when an opponent falls deliberately as combat technique)

Penalties:

  1. A caution will be given for a technical or personal foul; but a warning will be given for an obvious personal foul
  2. A competitor penalized up to six points will be disqualified and the opponent will be declared the winner
  3. A competitor who intentionally hurts his opponent or commits a serious foul will be disqualified from the fight and if deemed appropriate, from the entire competition
  4. A competitor found guilty of trickery will be disqualified from the entire competition

Suspension of Match

The referee will suspend a match in any of the following cases:

  1. A competitor has fallen down or off the ring
  2. A competitor is penalized for a second foul
  3. A competitor is injured
  4. The competitors are locked for more than two seconds
  5. Both competitors refrain from attacking, or one remains passive for more than eight seconds
  6. The discretion of the referee
  7. The referee or other judges spot danger in a match or in objective factors such as lighting or other malfunctions of facilities

Weight Classes

  1. Under 52 kg  = Under 115 lbs.
  2. 52 kg - 56 kg = 115 lbs. - 123 lbs.
  3. 56 kg - 60 kg = 124 lbs. - 132 lbs.
  4. 60 kg - 65 kg = 133 lbs. - 143 lbs.
  5. 65 kg - 70 kg = 144 lbs. - 154 lbs.
  6. 70 kg - 75 kg = 155 lbs. - 165 lbs.
  7. 75 kg - 80 kg = 165 lbs. - 176 lbs.
  8. 80 kg - 85 kg = 177 lbs. - 187 lbs.
  9. 85 kg - 90 kg = 188 lbs. - 198 lbs.
  10. Over 90 kg   = Over 199 lbs.

Based on the number of competitors per weight category, an officials conference may be called to combine some of the weight categories.

Equipment/Personnel Supplied by the promoter:

  • Doctor
  • Referee and judges
  • Corner stool, bucket, and water
  • Boxing gloves
  • Head Gear
  • Shirts to fight in
  • (Competitors are urged to bring their own 14oz gloves and head gear, however these will be subject to inspection)

Supplied by the fighter:

  • Cornerman/Second
  • Hand wraps and tape
  • Towel
  • Mouthpiece, cup
  • Vaseline (optional)
  • Approved blood clotting and inhalant medicine (optional)
  • Dipped Foam Foot Pads and Shin gear
  • Trunks to fight in (no pants, as in international competitions)