Section 3: Playing Area
Why People Get This Wrong
People often assume that the colored padding around the central circle is mandatory for all competition matches in Sport Sambo, forgetting that it's merely a safety feature described as an "outer safety zone" with no requirement to use it unless specified by FIAS rules. They overlook how this detail can lead to misunderstandings about what constitutes a valid playing area during competitions.
Official Verdict
FIAS-spec mat: 11m × 11m total, with central 9m circle competition area; Padded outer safety zone; Mat colored to distinguish competition area from safety zone
