Latest Interpretation on IJF Refereeing Rules
1. Referee, judges, and competitors
are all required to follow the proper form of bowing (bend 30 degrees, and hold
the position for about 2 seconds)
2. Regarding the timing to call ‘Hajime’ after ‘Matte’; a referee may call ‘Hajime’ when competitors are in equal states facing each other, even if they are not back to the starting position or the referee to the starting position (for instance, even if he/she is in such a position as to face away from Joseki). Accordingly, even if judogi appears untidy to some degree, ‘Matte’ should not be called easily as it will force the competitors to hold back their fighting spirits.
3. The percentage of Newaza is decreasing every year in the data of winning technique found in world championships and Olympic Games. (28.1% in 1995, 17.8% in 1996, 9.3% in 1997, 9.1% in 1999 --- men) Generally speaking, ‘Matte’ tends to be called too early in Newaza, so it is necessary to watch the progress carefully and not to stop too early. This incident causes to prevent the development of Newaza technique, which plays an important part in judo. In case Newaza is likely to progress, ‘Matte’ should not be called. (judges also should not use the gesture to make competitors stand up)
4. Following action should be taken by the
referee when the winning technique occurs near the edge of the contest area.
Firstly, watch the sign of the judge IN or OUT, secondly score only if the
referee and the judge agree as IN. In case their judgements disagree, the
referee’s being IN and the judge’s OUT, call ‘Matte’, and discuss with the judge
to reach an agreement. If agreed as IN a score is given, and if agreed as OUT
start again with ‘Hajime’ (This method reduces troubles for competitors,
coaches, and spectators)
5. In the case “Lifting hand going through
the back of the head to reach beyond the back center line does not make ‘Shido’
“, which is treated as a special case in the normal gripping, the competitor
will be given ‘Shido’ if he/she is only shaking as blocking with his/her elbow
down. It is important to judge if there is any attacking movement, or if it is
only a blocking made to cause prohibited acts. Naturally, Uke will not be taken
‘Shido’, though Uke cannot attack for the reason that Tori keeps shaking as
blocking the Uke. The accurate judgment of defensive action is necessary.
6. ‘False Attack’ and ‘Pulling down into
Newaza’ are penalties subject to ‘Shido’. False Attack is found mainly in
Seoi-nage, but also found many in the technique of ‘Uchimata’ and ‘Haraigoshi’
near the edge of contest area. Be precise.
7. In case of gripping other than normal, ‘Shido’ will be given unless attack is executed within 3 to 5 seconds. Such an action that the competitor grabs his/her own lapel or pulls his/her own lapel farther away in order to prevent the opponent take a grip will be ‘Shido’ in 5 seconds.
8. Grasping by screwing up the bottom of
the sleeve (pistol grip) is subject to ‘Shido’.
9. Since Hikikomi-Gaeshi is Nage-waza, a
score is given. However, the technique so-called ‘Ude-gaeshi’ is only a
transitory technique into Newaza, and no score is given.
10. In case of diving as a variation of
Sode-tsurikomi-goshi, the technique itself is not regarded a penalty. But if it
becomes a plunge from the head as a result (observed as a diving), the technique
is regarded as a prohibited act.
11. Throwing backwards from the position
of Kata-guruma is given Hansoku-make.
12. Direct ‘Hansoku-make’ needs to be
reported to Refereeing commission by the referee. (the lost competitor is not
allowed to take part in repechage)
13. In Osaekomi, the position has to be either ‘Kesa’ or ‘Shiho’. The competitor has to hold down covering the opponent from the top.
14. In accordance with the medical rules
“commends to finish examination within a minute”, a doctor needs to take a
medical box when he/she enters the competition area and should to finish
quickly. However, taking longer than a minute does not cause a penalty.
15. In case a competitor gets injured,
call a doctor immediately without pausing and looking at the incident, and then
take counts.
16. If vomiting occurs, the opponent will
be given Kiken-gachi. But the withdrawing competitor is able to enter the next
match (repechage).
17. In the matter of women’s menstruation,
if the bleeding appears visible, she shall change quickly to a spare
judogi.
18. The measuring device made in Japan is
used in judogi control. (the thickness of lapels should be 1cm or less)
19. Since Sydney Olympic Games, every female competitor is obliged to wear a solid black belt without a white line in all the IJF Tournaments.
20. Female competitors are allowed to wear leotards. But, they have to be short-sleeved (sleeveless leotards are not permitted) and the color has to be white as that of T-shirts.
21. Re-tying the hair for the third time
is subject to Shido. However,
re-tying that is quick enough to be finished while the opponent is fixing the
judogi will not be counted.
