Foul

Banchik (반칙) is the foul in kumdo competition: an act forbidden by the match and refereeing rules that the referees signal and penalize. The International Kendo Federation's English handbook discusses it as foul play (hansoku in Japanese) and distinguishes what is "illegal" (contrary to the regulations) from what is "unfair" (outside the bounds of normal conduct).

• Two-foul rule: when a competitor commits the acts in items 2 to 7 of Article 17, a banchik is called. A second one gives the opponent a hanpan (한판). Fouls are accumulated over the whole bout.
• Acts in Article 17 (items 2 to 7): tripping or sweeping the opponent's foot; wrongly pushing the opponent out of the court; stepping out of the court (jangoe, 장외); dropping one's own jukdo (죽도); making an unjustified request to stop; and any other act against the rules.
• Exceptions: if both competitors step out one after the other, only the first is penalized. No banchik is given if a valid strike is cancelled when stepping out. None is given if the opponent strikes right after a jukdo is dropped and the strike scores.
• Simultaneous fouls: when simultaneous fouls would make both competitors lose, they cancel each other and are not counted as banchik.
• Refereeing: the chief referee (jusim, 주심) shows the foul with the flag and announces its number with the fingers. The two assistant referees (busim, 부심) also signal it, and an unclear case is decided by consultation (habui, 합의). The recorder notes the type and number of fouls.
• Not to be confused with: the rules also give a heavier penalty for acts under Articles 15 and 16, such as disrespectful words or conduct toward referees or the opponent. The offender loses, is sent off, and the opponent is given two hanpan.
• Recent criteria: a Korea Kumdo Association (대한검도회) article on the 2023 National Sports Festival refereeing says that in kodeungi ssaum (코등이싸움) competitors must separate within about 3 seconds. Striking a competitor who is retreating is penalized immediately as banchik. The International Kendo Federation's 2024 championship materials treat deliberate time wasting as a foul.