International Cutman Association

Terms of the Regulations

International Cutman Association (ICA, Association): International community of professional Cutman;

ICA symbols - the logo of the organization. All Members of the Association always need to use logo of the organization on the clothes or equipment during operating time if it doesn't contradict the conditions of the tournament or the work of the team (advertising contracts, the television rights, etc.);

Cutman (the specialist) is the specialist who has chosen this work out of professional need or passion. The work of a cutman consists in the prophylaxis and prevention of the development of injuries during a fight as well as in the preparation of the hands (sometimes the legs) for the fight (competition). A cutman's work helps to avoid injuries to the athlete and other serious consequences (such as knockout);

Professional Cutman is the expert working professionally not less than about 50 rounds a year in martial arts. To work with "the face" and "hands wrapping" are necessary professional skills of a specialist;

Taping Specialist is a person who provides the hands (or legs) wrapping process. This expert may not be a Cutman in case he only knows how to provide hand wrapping because it is only a part of a Cutman’s qualification as a specialist;

Hands wrapping is the process of preparation of hands (or legs) for a fight at hand of the materials allowed by the rules of holding a tournament or by the ICA's regulations for the purpose of prevention of traumatism;

Prevention of facial soft tissues traumatism («Work with a Face») - is the main qualification and task of a Cutman’s work as a specialist. It consists of a series of actions allowed by the rules of a specific type of combat and by the ICA's regulations on the prevention of traumatism and the prevention of the development of facial soft tissues.

Structure of the ICA (Association) and membership in the organization

Structure of the management body:

Board members:
Honorary President Jacob Duran (USA);
President Federico Catizone (Italy);
Vice-president Dmitry Luchinov (Russia).

The Board Member's mission is to maintain the balance within the association and ensure respect of the democratic principles of the ICA.

Working group:
For the realization of different tasks the ICA created a working group within tha Association. Members of this group can could be members of the ICA and or not. All people who have ideas for the development of the organization could be a part of this group according to the vote of the members and after the confirmation of the management body.

Ambassador of the ICA.
Local or regional representative of the ICA. He/she, could be a member the ICA or not but the members of the management body will discuss and vote for each candidates.

Membership in the Association.
The Association has the right to exclude members in case the specialist does not work for a year without any reason. This rule does not apply to members of the management board, as these persons participate in the administrative work of the organization and their membership depends on the decision of the members of the management board.

Decisions on topical issues related to the admission to the organization, questions related to the development of the organization, the holding of hands wrapping championships (forums, congresses, etc.), changes in the rules of the organization, resolutions of disputes between members of the organization are decided according to the vote of the management board members.

Settlement of disputes.
Complex Conflicts between members of the Association are decided according to the vote of the members of the association's management board and if any of the parties is not satisfied with the decision, then it is taken collectively, by common vote;

To apply for membership, Cutmen have to send an email with their curriculum vitae.

Policy of the Association

Values of the organization:

Safety of athletes;
Creation of all conditions necessary for the effective work of our colleagues around the world, in order to improve the safety of athletes during the fight. The concept of "One more round" - minimization of the risk of losing a fight TKO or KO as a consequence of the development of a person's injuries

Supporting of the colleagues;
Sharing experiences; being a reference in your own nation to help colleagues around the world; helping young cutmen to grow.

Popularization of the profession.
Carrying out work to popularize the profession in order to explain to members of martial arts the benefits of working with a Cutman specialist. To this aim, organizing the Hand Wrapping World Championships, master classes, seminars, etc.
Supporting colleagues around the world with contacts and various kinds of information.


Mission of the organization:

Recognition of the official status of the Cutman profession by the world martial arts sector;

Targets of the organization:
Work to acquire an official status.
Official professional recognition of the profession by organizations - regulators in various martial arts and acknowlegdment of official statuses (Fighter, Coach, Referee, Cutman, Second);

Creation of the Union of Cutmen.
Supporting of colleagues around the world with contacts and various information, creation a "black lists" of unscrupulous representatives of martial arts.

Legal support.
In the short term - organization of legal assistance for the members of the organization, creation of a universal work contract.

Mandatory participation of Cutmen in martial arts.
Official professional recognition of the profession by organizations - regulators in various martial arts and acknowledgment of official statuses (Fighter, Coach, Referee, Cutman, Second) and compulsory participation of the ICA's cutmen in tournaments.

General Part

Recommendations of the Association:

This document has been drafted on the basis of many years of practice of the most active members of the Association and is oriented to apply to the fights of the "champion format" as a format that has the highest and most demanding criteria. Considering disputes between members of the Association, as well as in the work of specialists, it is recommended to use the provisions of this Regulation and the Rules of organizations of regulators for conducting a direct tournament and kind of sport.
These provisions have the nature of the organization's recommendations to its members and are not compulsory or mandatory.

The ICA recommend to use a Hemostatic means in first place such as Adrenaline (in a solution of 1 to 1000 or diluted). Also could use other coagulants (Hemostatic Membranes) can be used ifit is allowed by the rules of the competition in which the specialist works. It is recommended for a specialist to have at least 50ml of substance in a fight, and it would be better to have a supply (as not to be in a position when the medicine will be lost in another way);

The ICA recommends in order to avoid situations of conflicts that if a Cutman provides a client to a colleague and the client asks again for the same cutman,the first cutman, the one who has provided the client, must be immediately informed;

The ICA recommends not to combine different types of materials and use a uniform material (one color and quality bandage, as well as tape), as by the rules of many regulatory organizations this is forbidden. However the specialist has the right to use other material if it doesn't contradict the rules of a tournament and the rules of the local commission of combats within which he/she works

The ICA recommend: no alcohol on fight day, sharp odors and toilet water (cologne) during the fight;

The ICA recommends after each fight or (if dirty) after each round, to change the gloves and clean and sterilize the instruments with disinfectant solutions; Means for sterilization and disinfection (alcohol / chlorhexidine / other analogs and autoclaves);

The ICA recommends: to take tests every 12 months (if the cutman works actively): hepatitis, syphilis, HIV;

The ICA recommends for a Cutman to work only in dark sportswear or clothing designed for a seconds of a fighter, unless this is contrary to the policy of the advertiser or promoter;


Basic principles of work:

The priority of Cutmen's work: the safety of the athlete, the antiseptic of all materials, which are used to work. Working only in latex gloves, and single use.

The principle of "keeping silence": Cutmen should not be express emotions while working in a fight, as excessive noise will can prevent the coach from prompting the fighter. Cutmen can advise the coach of a fighter (head of second) to stop the fight if he/she understands that the trauma is dangerous for the health of the athlete

Agreements on the work of a Cutman with the Team, the Fighter, the Promoter or with other persons may be concluded both in verbal or written form;

Do not chew cotton q-tips while working in the mouth. This does not correspond to the principles of antiseptic in a Cutman's work;

Cutman's work on preventing and limiting the development of a Fighter's injuries during a competition

Cutman - a member of the Association works within the framework of the rules that govern the fight in which he/she works, as well within the rules of the association, if this does not contradict the rules of the fight;

A Cutman has the right to negotiate the cost of his services with "the Customer". The service agreement between Cutman and "the Customer" are regulated only between them independently without the interference of outsiders;

A Cutman does not interfere in medical actions without having a license for it, nor without an agreements with the organizers of the tournament. This can lead to violation of the law;

A Cutman may be outside the ring/octagon/canvas during a break in the fight and inside the ring if this is required to work and in agreement with the coach or head of seconds;

A Cutman has to know the rules of the seconder’s (cutman) work in the tournament (where he works);

Cutman is not only a specialist who works with injuries during a fight, but also a professional second, who must professionally help the team at any time. A professional specialist should be able to do any necessary work during breaks and during a fight.

Tools and hemostatic means recommended by the ICA:
-   Scissors;
-   Ironing (two are recommended);
-   Sterile cotton swabs (q-tips);
-   Sterile gauze napkins and cotton wool (for making cotton buds, if necessary);
-   Vaseline (permissible use in a mixed form with adrenaline if it doesn't contradict the rules of a tournament and the rules of the local federation of combats within which he/she works);
-   Disposable sterile gloves (several pieces, which in change in case of damage);
-   Means for sterilization and disinfection (alcohol / chlorhexidine / autoclave/ other analogues);
-   Adrenaline (in a solution of 1 to 1000) and / or other coagulants allowed by the rules of the competition in which the specialist works. It is recommended for a specialist to have minimum at least 30ml of substance in a fight, and it would be better to have a supply (as not to be in a position when medicine will be lost in another way);

Hemostatic membrane:
-   A towel (not to use for a the floor if it is planned to be used for the face);
-   Ice (ice bag);
-   Glasses.

Tape and bandage (for hands wrapping and wrapping gloves before and during the fight if necessary).

Hands (legs) Wrapping (Boxing, MMA, Kickboxing)

Hands (legs) Wrapping is the process of preparing hands (or legs) for a fight with the help of materials authorized by the rules of the tournament or the above mentioned rules for the prevention of injuries.

The ICA recommends the use of a uniform material (one color and quality). However, the specialist has the right to use other materials if this does not contradict the rules of the tournament and the rules of the local federation of martial arts, within which he/she works;

The ICA recommends the use of uniform material (one color and quality). However, the specialist has the right to use other materials if this does not contradict the rules of the tournament and the rules of the local federation of martial arts, within which he/she works;

No tape on the skin. The ICA does not recommend applying the tape directly to the skin without a gauze bandage;

Two-layer tapping. It is not recommended to use a two-layer hands wrapping. Most commissions prohibit double laying layers of bandage and tape (bandage - tape - bandage - tape). Basically the ICA does not see any threat to the health of the athlete or other consequences, but in order to avoid contradictions with the regulators of the tournament and the team of the opponent, it is recommended to put bandage and tape in one layer;

The "1 inch rule" (2,5 см) - ICA recommends to apply the "1 inch rule " when putting a tape for a hand wrapping, as this rule is applied by most martial arts organizations, federations and local athletic commissions. Its aim is to limit the tape at a distance of 1 inch from the impact surface of the fist (from the middle finger). This is also recommended in order not to block the fist at the folding sides, which leads to an incomplete closure of the fist, which, in turn, is a frequent cause of serious injuries to the hands of the athlete. This rule is recommended for hand wrapping in boxing (professional and amateur), MMA and kickboxing;

Hand (leg) Wrapping is the process of preparing hands (or legs) for a fight at hand of materials authorized by the rules of the tournament or the above mentioned rules for the prevention of injuries.

Tape - material made of cotton (sometimes with insignificant addition of synthetics). It can be sterile or not, it can also be medical or not. The ICA recommends a width of 2,5 cm (2 inches or 5 cm or 2 inches for taping of legs) for a hand wrapping, not elastic. However, the specialist has the right to use other materials if it doesn't contradict the rules of the tournament nor the rules of the local commission of combats within which he/she works. The ICA recommends for the wrapping of hands a tape of 2.5 cm (1 inches or 5 cm or 2 inches for taping of feet), not elastic;
ICA also recommend one role per hand, length about 10 meters or 10 yards for each hand wrapping

Bandage - material made of cotton. It can be sterile or not, it can also be medical or not. The association recommends a width of 5 cm (2 inches), without sticky basis, not elastic because many local commissions, boards and others are against the use of another size. ICA also recommends a length of 10 meters for each hand wrapping and a length between 5 and 10 meters for each "pad". However, the specialist has the right to use other materials if it doesn't contradict the rules of the tournament nor the rules of the local federation of combats within which he/she works. The ICA recommends for a hand wrapping bandage a width of 5 cm (2 inches), without any adhesive backing, not elastic.

However the specialist has the right to use other material and other size if it doesn't contradict rules of a tournament and rules of local federation of combats within which he/she works;