Seconds

PURPOSE: This rule defines the duties and responsibilities of seconds. (1) The office will not issue a license to any person to act as a second unless the applicant has reached the age of eighteen (18). (2) Unless special permission is given by the office, there shall be no more than three (3) seconds, one (1) of whom will announce to the referee at the start of the bout that s/he is the chief second. Only one (1) second may be inside the ring between rounds for boxing, kickboxing, or full-contact karate, the other two (2) may be on the ring platform outside the ropes. For mixed martial arts a maximum of two (2) seconds may be in the cage or ring. The promoter at their discretion may reduce the number of seconds to two (2) for any bout. (3) Seconds shall not enter the ring until the timekeeper indicates the end of the round. Seconds shall leave at the sound of the timekeeper’s whistle or buzzer before the beginning of each round. If the chief second or anyone for whom s/he is responsible enters the ring before the bell ending the round has sounded, his/her license may be subject to discipline and the contestant whom s/he is handling may be disqualified. While the round is in progress, the chief second may mount the apron of the ring and attract the referee’s attention indicating the retirement of the contestant. S/he shall not enter the ring unless the referee stops the bout and shall not interfere with a count that is in progress. (4) Seconds shall not stand or lean on the ring apron or cage during the round. (5) The second shall equip him/herself with: (A) A clear plastic bottle; (B) A bucket containing ice; (C) Adhesive tape; (D) Gauze; (E) Scissors; (F) Extra mouthpiece; (G) Cotton swabs; (H) Petroleum jelly; and (I) Pressure plates. (6) Only the following substances may be used to stop hemorrhaging: (A) A solution of adrenaline 1/1000; (B) Avintene; and (C) Thrombin. (7) Before leaving the ring at the start of each round, the seconds shall remove all obstructions, buckets, stools, bottles, towels, and robes from the ring floor and ropes. (8) Seconds violating any provisions of this rule may be immediately ejected from the ring corner. (9) The use of rubber or plastic gloves is not mandatory, but will be left to the discretion of the seconds for their use during the bout. (10) All seconds must report to the dressing room area and check in with the inspector in charge of the event at least sixty (60) minutes before the scheduled start time of the event. If a second does not arrive prior to this timeframe, their ability to work as a second for this event may be denied. AUTHORITY: section 317.006, RSMo Supp. 2018, and section 317.015, RSMo 2016.* This rule originally filed as 4 CSR 40-4.070. Original rule filed April 30, 1982, effective Sept. 11, 1982. Rescinded and readopted: Filed March 2, 1989, effective May 11, 1989. Amended: Filed Nov. 15, 2001, effective May 30, 2002. Moved to 20 CSR 2040-4.070, effective Aug. 28, 2006. Amended: Filed March 20, 2018, effective Sept. 30, 2018. Amended: Filed Jan. 25, 2019, effective Aug. 30, 2019. *Original authority: 317.006, RSMo 1983, amended 1996, 2007, 2018 and 317.015, RSMo 1996, 2007.