Shobu Hajime: Start of the match or bout. After the announcement, the referee takes a step back.
Ato Shibaraku: "A little more time left" - an audible signal will be given by the timekeeper 15 seconds before the end of the bout and the referee will announce "Ato Shibaraku."
Yame: "Stop." Interruption or the end of the bout. If the referee makes this announcement, he/she makes a chopping motion with his/her hand.
Moto No Ichi: Original position. Competitors and the referee return to their starting positions.
Tsuzukete: "Fight on." Resumption of fighting is ordered when an authorized interruption occurs or when the referee gives an informal order to commence fighting due to lack of activity.
Shugo: Judges called. The referee calls the judges at the end of the match or bout, or to recommend Shikkaku (disqualification).
Hantei: Decision. The referee calls for a decision at the end of an inconclusive bout. After a short blow of the whistle, judges render their vote by flag signal and the referee indicates his/her own vote by a raise of the arm.
Hikiwake: Draw. In case of a tied bout, the referee crosses his/her arms, then extends them with palms showing to the front.
Aka (Ao) No Kachi: "Win." At the end of the match or bout, the referee extends his/her arm up on the side of the winner - Aka is red, Ao is blue.
Aka (Ao) Ippon: Three points for the athlete in red (aka) or blue (ao). The referee raises his/her arm up 45 degrees on the side of the scorer.
Aka (Ao) Waza-ari: Two points for the athlete in red or blue. The referee extends his/her arm up at shoulder level on the side of the scorer.
Aka (Ao) Yuko: One point for red or blue. The referee extends his/her arm downward at 45 degrees on the side of the scorer.
Chukoku: Warning imposed for the first instance of a minor infraction. The referee indicates a Category 1 or 2 offense.
Keikoku: Warning imposed for the second instance of a minor infraction (or for infractions not serious enough to merit the next level of warning, Hansoku-Chui). The referee indicates a Category 1 or 2 offense, then points his/her index finger downward at 45 degrees in the direction of the offender.
Hansoku-Chui: Warning of disqualification. The referee indicates a Category 1 or 2 offense then points with his/her index finger horizontally in the direction of the offender.
Hansoku: Disqualification. The referee indicates a Category 1 or 2 offense then points with his/her index finger upward at 45 degrees in the direction of the offender and announces a win for the opponent.
Jogai: Exit from the match area not caused by the opponent. The referee points his/her index finger on the side of the offender to indicate to the judges that the competitor has moved out of the area.
Senshu: First unopposed point advantage. After awarding the point in regular fashion, the referee calls out "Aka (or Ao) SENSHU" while lifting a bent arm facing inward to indicate whether the red or blue athlete has been awarded Senshu.
Shikkaku: Disqualification "leave the area." The referee points upward at 45 degrees in the direction of the offender then motions out and behind with the announcement "Aka (or Ao) SHIKKAKU" and then announces a win for the opponent.
Torimasen: Annulment of a point or decision. The kumite referee or kata chief judge crosses his/her hands in a downward movement.
Kiken: Renunciation. The referee points downward at 45 degrees in the direction of the competitor's side of the mat.
Mubobi: Self-endangerment. The referee touches his/her face then turns his/her hand edge forward and moves it back and forth to indicate that the competitor endangered him/herself.
Wakarete: "Separate." The referee motions for competitors to separate from a clinch or standing chest to chest by separating his hands with a motion with the palms outward while giving the verbal order.