Judo in competition

The competitive element of Judo is arguably its most important aspect. A judoka aims to get the maximum points available by:

• Throwing the opponent on to their back with speed and force.

• Holding down the opponent on the mat for 25 seconds.

• Choking the opponent until they submit.

• Arm locking the opponent until submission.

There are different scores available depending on the technique and efficiency of the throw, pin, choke or arm lock. Scores are also given when an opponent receives a penalty. There are various types of penalty:

• Hansoku make - judoka is penalized with disqualification due to an extremely serious violation of the rules and opponent scores ten points.

• Keikoku - judoka is penalized for a serious violation of the rules and the opponent scores seven points.

• Chui - judoka is penalized for a violation of the rules and the opponent scores five points.

• Shido - judoka is penalized for a minor violation of the rules and the opponent scores three points.

The maximum amount of points that can be scored in one move is Ippon which signifies ten, or full points. When an Ippon is scored the match is over. To this end, a judoka must do one of the following:

• Throw - opponent falls on to the back with speed and force.
• Hold down - the opponent is held on the back for 25 seconds.
• Choke - opponent submits
• Armlock - opponent submits
• 'Penalty - opponent is penalized with Hansoku-Make

For a Wazari (seven points), the following must occur:

• Throw - opponent falls partially on to the back or lacks speed and force.
• Hold down - opponent is held on the back for 20 - 24 seconds.
• Penalty - opponent is penalized with Keikoku.

For a Yuko (five points), the following must take place:

• Throw - opponent falls mostly on to the side.
• Hold down - opponent is held on the back for 15 - 19 seconds.
• Penalty - opponent is penalized with Chui.

Finally, for a Koka (three points), the following must be achieved:

• Throw - opponent falls on outer thighs or buttocks.
• Hold down - opponent is held on the back for 10-14 seconds.
• Penalty - opponent is penalized with Shido.

Competition Rules

The rules of Judo competition have evolved significantly since the first official rule book was published in 1905. Below are some of the most common rules applied to competitive events today:

• Deliberate injuring of an opponent is prohibited.
• Punching, kicking and striking are prohibited.
• Contact with an opponent’s face is prohibited.
• Attacking joints (apart from the elbow) is prohibited.
• Head dives are prohibited.
• Wearing a hard or metallic object is prohibited.
• All contestants must bow before stepping on to the competition mat (the bow seeks to keep the principle of humility central to competition)
• Contestants must bow to each other before and after competition.
• Stalling is not permitted.
• A defensive posture is prohibited.
• False attacks are prohibited.
• Deliberately avoiding gripping or being gripped is prohibited.
• A contestant may not grip the opponent’s belt.
• A contestant may not grip the opponent’s sleeve using a pistol grip.
• A contestant may not grip the inside of the opponent’s sleeve or trousers.
• Chokes are prohibited for contestants under 13 years of age.
• Arm bars are prohibited for contestants under 16 years of age.
• The sleeves of the gi (jacket) must extend to 5cm above the wrist or longer.
• The legs of the zubon(trousers) must extend to 5cm above the ankle or longer.