Shoot Boxing
Officially Shoot Boxing (SB)
Japanese stand-up hybrid founded 1985 by Caesar Takeshi — combines kickboxing (punches + kicks + knees) with standing submissions (chokes, arm-locks, wrist-locks). No ground fighting. Signature event: annual S-Cup World Tournament in Tokyo since 1995.
What is Shoot Boxing?
Shoot Boxing (SB) is a Japanese stand-up hybrid combat sport founded 1985 by Caesar Takeshi (former shootfighter + kickboxer). Combines full-contact kickboxing (punches + kicks + knees + clinch) with standing submissions (chokes, arm-locks, wrist-locks, throws) — but disallows ground fighting entirely: if opponent falls, the standing submission must be released and fight restarts standing. Signature event is the annual S-Cup World Tournament in Tokyo (est. 1995) — 8-fighter single-elimination featuring international kickboxing + submission specialists. Netherlands' Andy Souwer is the most decorated S-Cup winner with 4 titles (2003, 2004, 2005, 2008). Women's Girls S-Cup added 2013.
Quick facts
Category
Combat Sports
Type
Individual
Players
2–2
Duration
~12 min
Where played
indoor
Country of origin
🇯🇵 Japan
Estimated origin
Founded 1985 by Caesar Takeshi; S-Cup annual grand-prix since 1995
Olympic
No
Popularity
regional
How it works
Objective
Defeat opponent by KO, standing submission, or judges' decision.
Match structure
3 or 5 rounds of 3 minutes with 1-minute rest — standing submissions must be released when opponent falls; knockdown counts + standing 8-count.
Rules
Basic rules
Standing submissions legal
Chokes, arm-locks, wrist-locks legal from standing position.
No ground fighting
If any fighter falls, standing sub released; fight restarts standing.
10-point must scoring
10-9 rounds; bonuses for knockdowns + subs.
Advanced rules
Standing 8-count
Referee gives 8-count on knockdown before continuing.
3-knockdown rule per round
3 knockdowns in a round = TKO.
Scoring
10-point must with bonuses for standing submissions + knockdowns.
| Action | Points |
|---|---|
| Knockdown | +1 in scoring round |
| Standing submission attempt | Bonus toward round score |
Win condition · KO, standing submission, TKO, or judges' decision.
Equipment
10 oz gloves
Standard boxing gloves; open-palm allowed for submissions.
Boxing ring (5.5-6.1m)
4-rope canvas ring — no cage.
Mouthguard + groin protector
Mandatory safety gear.
Positions & roles
Shoot Boxer
×1Complete stand-up fighter — kickboxing + submission.
Officiating
Referee enforces standing rule + submission release; judges score striking + submission attempts.
- 1 mat referee
- 3 judges (10-point must)
- Timekeeper
Penalties & fouls
Penalties
Ground strikes
Illegal — instant warning; repeat = point deduction.
Submission held after fall
Immediate point deduction; repeat = DQ.
Groin/rabbit strike
Warning + point deduction.
Strategies
Snatch guillotine off catch
Slip opponent's punch and immediately shoot for standing guillotine — Souwer signature.
Wrist-lock trap in clinch
Enter Thai clinch, isolate wrist, apply kote-gaeshi twist.
Low-kick then arm-drag
Chip lead leg, when guard drops apply standing rear naked choke.
Terminology
- S-Cup
- Annual world grand-prix tournament
- Standing 8-count
- Referee 8-count on knockdown
- Kote-gaeshi
- Wrist-turning submission
Major competitions
S-Cup World Tournament
annual · Tokyo, Japan · since 1995
Girls S-Cup (women)
annual · Tokyo, Japan · since 2013
Where it is played
Governing bodies
Shoot Boxing Association (SBA)
Founded 1985 · Tokyo, Japan
Famous names & records
Famous athletes
- Andy Souwer (Netherlands) — 4× S-Cup winner (2003, 2004, 2005, 2008)
- Rena Kubota (Japan) — long-reigning women's Super Lightweight champion
- Caesar Takeshi (Japan) — founder + trainer
Records
Most S-Cup wins
Andy Souwer (Netherlands) — 4× S-Cup winner (2003, 2004, 2005, 2008) (2008)
Longest reign — Super Lightweight (women)
Rena Kubota (Japan) — Multi-year reign in Girls S-Cup era (2018)
Learn this sport
beginner
- 1
Kickboxing foundation
Jab, cross, hook, kicks, knees, clinch entries.
intermediate
- 1
Standing submission grammar
Guillotine, standing arm-bar, kimura, wrist-lock, standing choke.
advanced
- 1
S-Cup ruleset sparring
No-ground submission chains + tournament pressure.
Frequently asked
How is Shoot Boxing different from K-1?+
Shoot Boxing allows standing submissions; K-1 is pure striking. Both ban ground fighting.
What is the S-Cup?+
Annual 8-fighter single-elimination tournament in Tokyo (since 1995) drawing international kickboxing + submission specialists.
Sources & provenance
- Wikipedia — Shoot boxing— Wikipedia