competition area![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Surface for practicing karate; bouts last a maximum of three minutes.
karateka ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Athlete who practices karate; some, but not all, organizations classify karatekas by weight.
arbitration committee ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Group of upper-level officials who especially supervise the bout as it unfolds and check that the referee and the judges perform their duties correctly.
timekeeper ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Official who monitors the duration of the bout.
scorekeeper ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Official who tracks the karatekas’ points and penalties.
corner judge ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
One of the four officials who assist the referee, give their opinions especially about the referee’s decisions and judge the actions of the karatekas.
referee ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Official who enforces the rules, directs the bout on the mat, awards the points and gives out warnings and penalties.
contest area ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Mat with an area of 26 ft2 on which the bout takes place; it is surrounded by a safety surface.
competitors’ line ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Mark designating the karatekas’ position at the start of the bout and after any interruption.
referee’s line ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Mark designating the regulation position of the referee during the bout.