Judo Rules Revealed: Is That Legal Part 1?

Inevitably during our randori sessions, the question is asked, "Is that judo legal?" After watching the referees at the New York Open, it became apparent that the rules for competition judo are applied strictly. The referees were quick to penalize a competitor for actions that occur routinely during our randori sessions. So, what is legal in judo? This article will discuss the less serious infringements, known as shido. Next month's article will discuss the more serious Hansoku- make infringement.

Judo has two types of infringements: Shido (slight) and Hansoku-make (grave). A referee imposes apenalty of Shido or Hansoku-make depending on the seriousness of the infringement. A slight infringementreceives a penalty of Shido. A grave infringement receives a penalty of direct Hansoku-make. This means that the contestant is disqualified and excluded from the tournament, and the contest.

The first Shido does not affect the score of a match. However, the second or a subsequent Shido provides the opponent with the next higher score. On the scoreboard, the repeated Shido will be accumulated and converted to the opponent's technical score.

For example, repeated Shidos are scored as followed: 2 Shidos = a Yuko to the opponent; 3 Shidos = a Waza-ari to the opponent; 4 Shidos = Hansoku-make = Ippon to the opponent. When a contestant has repeated slight infringements and is to be penalized with his fourth (4th) Shido the Referee, after consultation with Judges, shall give the contestant "Hansokumake"; the 4th Shido is not announced as "Shido", as "Hansoku-make".

What constitutes a Shido? The following actions or inactions will result in a Shid:
- Intentionally avoid taking a grip in order to prevent action in the contest.

- After gripping, to adopt in a standing position an excessively defensive posture. (Generally more than 5 seconds).

- To make a false attack (the impression of an attack of an attack but which clearly shows that there was no intent to throw the opponent).

- To stand (generally more than 5 seconds) with both feet completely within the danger zone, unless beginning an attack, executing an attack, countering the opponent's attack or defending against the opponent's attack.
- To continually hold the opponent's sleeve end(s) for a defensive purpose while standing (generally more than 5 seconds) or to grasp by "screwing up" the sleeve end(s).

- While standing to continually keep the opponent's fingers of one or both hands interlocked, in order to prevent action in the contest. (Generally more than 5 seconds).

- To intentionally disarrange your own gi or to untie or retie the belt or the trousers without the Referee's permission.

- To pull the opponent down in order to start Newaza unless in accordance with the rules generally, this means from a missed throw either by you or your opponent.

- To insert a finger or fingers inside the opponent's sleeve or bottom of his trousers.

- In a standing position to take any grip other than a "normal" grip (your right hand to opponent's left side and your left hand to opponent's right side) without attacking. (Generally more than 5 seconds.)

- "Non-combativity" may exist when for approximately 25 seconds; there have been no attacking actions on the part of one or both contestants while in a standing position.

- Taking a pistol grip, i.e., holding the opponent's sleeve end(s) between the thumb and the fingers.

- Taking a pocket grip, i.e., holding the opponent's sleeve end(s) by folding it over.

- Holding of the opponent's foot/feet, leg(s) or trouser leg(s) with the hand(s), unless simultaneously attempting a throwing technique.

- Encircling the end of the belt or jacket around any part of the opponent's body.

- Taking the gi (yours or opponent's) in the mouth.

- Putting a hand, arm, foot or leg directly on the opponent's face (the area within the line bordered by the forehead, the front of the ears and the jaw-line).

- Putting a foot or a leg in the opponent's belt, collar or lapel.

- Applying Shime-waza (choking technique) using the bottom of the jacket or belt, or using only the fingers.

- Going outside the contest area or intentionally force the opponent to go outside the contest area either in standing position or in Newaza.

- Applying leg scissors to the opponent's trunk, neck or head.

- Kicking with the knee or foot, the hand or arm of the opponent, in order to make him release his grip, or to kick the opponent's leg or ankle without applying any technique.

- Bending back the opponent's finger(s) in order to break his grip.

The above material was obtained from Article 27 of the International Judo Federation Rules. It is important to know these rules and apply them in our randori session to prevent injuries and to ensure that the spirit of judo is present during our workouts.

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