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IJF Rules Explanation: PDF download

Distinguished Members of the International Judo Community,

I am pleased to introduce to you our updated detailed explanation of the rules effective from 31^st January 2023. This update clarifies some points that have been raised since the previous versions of this document (8^th July 2020 and 9^th March 2022).

In the process of development of our sport, it is of utmost importance to do the best, first of all for the content and the image of our sport, for a better comprehensibility and consistence of the rules for judokas, judo lovers and the World.

We are continuously reforming the strategy in all the sectors of the IJF to make our sport a modern one, outstanding and understandable for everyone.

I’m convinced the new elements of the rules and judo methodology will be a great benefit for the judo family, spectators, partners and media.

Marius L. Vizer

President

International Judo Federation

1. The judo techniques
2. The continuity of action
3. The landing

1. Techniques: We need to be able to identify a judo technique which is present in the judo accepted repertoire (Kodokan classified judo techniques). Just landing and rolling over and falling on the side/back in the process of the match, without applying a clear technique, is not enough to score. It must be within the bounds of the published list of Kodokan judo techniques.
2. Continuity: It is important that there is no interruption during the execution of direct throwing techniques, counter techniques or combinations.
3. Landing: For waza-ari we are looking for two kinds of landings :
Waza-ari criteria comprises landing on the upper side of the body at 90° or more to the rear of the shoulder axis, one shoulder and upper back. The second is the landing on the shoulder and upper back.

IJF Rules Meeting on the Sport and Organisation Rules, Olbia, Italy 12 October 2021 and Budapest, Hungary 13 March 2023.

Following the Tokyo 2020 (held in 2021) Olympic Games the key points that we are looking for in a score are: