Each round begins with competitors at center, toes on parallel marked lines, hands at shoulder level — referee calls "Knuckle Up"; This distinctive start eliminates running/circling for the first contact of each round
Why people argue about this
People often assume that competitors must stay at those parallel lines until the referee's command, thinking it means they can't move their feet at all during a round - but actually, it just means they start there and aren't allowed to run or circle freely for the initial contact. They're free to move their bodies as needed once toeing the line, not their legs.
