<P> However, in Kyokushin Karate no padding is used and fighters don't "pull their punches" as fights are finished by knock out . </P> <P> In some forms of competition kumite, punching ("tsuki") and kicking ("keri") techniques are allowed at the head ("jodan") and abdomen ("chudan"). In some tournaments, face contact is allowed, sometimes limited to senior practitioners . One example of a scoring system is that the first competitor to take eight points in three minutes wins the bout . </P> <P> Kumite is an essential part of karate training, and free sparring is often experienced as exciting, because both opponents have to react and adapt to each other very quickly . </P> <P> In tournaments kumite often takes place inside of a' ringed' area similar to that of a boxing ring . If a karateka steps out of the ring, they are given a warning . If they step out of the ring two times, the other person gains a point . Many international tournaments use a "point sparring" form of kumite that requires control (' pulling punches') and therefore warnings can be dealt for excessive force on techniques to the head, or sensitive areas . Full contact is permitted to the torso area of the body only . Some tournament rules allow for light contact to the head, whereas other rules do not allow this . </P>

What is the difference between kata and kumite