Judo Rules and Regulations for Beginners

Objective

• Score one full point (Ippon) or two scores of Waza-Ari to win the match.
• Win the match with more points than the opponent by the end of the bout.

Basic Rules

1. Match Environment
   • Matches take place on a mat called a tatami.
2. Uniform
   • Players must wear a gi tied with the correct style of knotted belt.
   • The gi must be no more than 5 cm above the wrists and ankles.
3. Etiquette
   • Judokas must bow before stepping onto the mat and to each other before and after the match.
   • Each bow lasts for 5 minutes.
4. Winning a Match
   • A bow is won when a Judoka is awarded an Ippon.
   • If time runs out without an Ippon, the referee awards the win to the Judoka with the highest score.
5. Prohibited Actions
   • Head dives, punching, kicking, and touching each other's faces are not allowed.
   • Attacking joints other than the elbow is forbidden.
   • Intentionally going out of bounds or pushing an opponent out is a foul.
   • Refusal to attack or lack of aggression is a foul.

Penalties

1. Hansoku
   • Awarded for major rule violations.
   • Can lead to disqualification from the fight or tournament.
2. Shido
   • Given for longer periods of non-aggression and minor rule violations.
   • First penalty is a warning; second gives the opponent a Yuko; third gives a Waza-Ari; fourth results in an Ippon.
   • Four Shidos equal one Hansoku.

Scoring Rules

• Ippon
  • Signaled by the referee straightening up their arm.
  • Opponent is thrown on their back with force or held for 25 seconds.
  • Ends the contest.
• Waza-Ari
  • Signaled by an arm at shoulder level.
  • Throw is not fully successful, or opponent held for at least 20 seconds.
  • Two Waza-Aris are equivalent to an Ippon.
• Yuko
  • Signaled by an arm at 45 degrees out.
  • Partially successful throw or opponent held for 15-20 seconds.
• Koka
  • Signaled by an arm at the side.

Winning the Bout

• Judoka with the highest quality score wins (e.g., Waza-Ari beats multiple Yukos).

Golden Score

• If scores are level, the match enters a Golden Score period of 3 minutes.
• First score of any kind wins the match.
• If still tied, the referee and two judges decide the winner by majority decision.