Ranks in Judo

Mudansha (under black belt)

Yudansha (black belts)

Additional Information

• penalties
• scoreboard
• categories

Yellow Belt - 5th Grade - Gokyu

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Orange Belt - 4th grade - Yonkyu

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Green Belt - 3rd Grade - Sankyu

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Blue Belt - 2nd Grade - Nikyu

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Brown Belt - 1st Grade - Ikkyu

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Black Belt Requirements

Black belts are awarded by the National Grading Board of Judo Canada on the recommendation of the Provincial Grading Board. The test is administered by the Provincial Grading Board and consists of the following:

• a comprehensive written exam
• demonstration of the techniques of the Kodokan Gokyu
• demonstration of counter and combination techniques
• demonstration of ground techniques including:
  • hold-downs
  • chokes
  • arm locks
• demonstration of kata

Further information on the black belt requirements can be obtained in
the Grading Syllabus issued by Judo Canada.
 

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Forms of Judo (Kata)

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Nage No Kata (formal techniques of throwing)

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Katame No Kata (formal techniques of grappling)

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Judo Tournaments

Competition Area The competition area is divided into two zones (contest zone and safety zone). The separation between these two zones is indicated by a red area called the danger zone. A strip of blue and white tape indicate the starting positions at which the contestants must start and end the contest.

Judo Match Begins
Prior to a match one judoka is assigned a blue sash to wear in addition to their belt or they will be asked to wear a blue Judogi. After the contestants have bowed and stepped forward, the referee announces hajime (begin) to start the match.

Scores

• Ippon (full point)
• Waza-ari (almost ippon, half point)
• Yuko (almost waza-ari)
• Koka (almost yuko)

An ippon can be scored by one of the following methods:

• when a contestant with control throws the other contestant largely on his back with considerable force and speed;
• when a contestant holds with osaekomi waza for 25 seconds;
• when a contestant gives up by tapping twice with his hand or foot or says maitta, generally as a result of a holddown, choke or armlock;
• one contestant is disqualified for violating the rules (hansoku-make);
• or earning two waza-ari.
   

Waza-ari is scored when a contestant throws the other contestant with control, but the technique is partially lacking one of the three elements necessary for ippon.

Yuko is scored when a contestant with control throws the other contestant, but the technique is partially lacking two of the other three elements necessary for ippon.

Koka is scored when a contestant with control throws the other contestant onto one shoulder, his thigh(s), or buttocks with speed and force.

Osaekomi - The referee shall announce osaekomi when the contestant being held is controlled by his opponent. The scoring works as follows: 10 - 14.9 seconds - Koka 15 - 19.9 seconds - Yuko 20 - 24.9 seconds - Waza-ari 25 seconds - Ippon

Penalties

• Hansoku-make = grave infringement (very serious violation, disqualification)
• Shido = slight infringement (minor violation)

The Referee shall award a penalty of Shido or Hansoku-make depending on the seriousness of the infringement. The awarding of a second or subsequent Shido automatically reflects on the opponent’s score. The previous score corresponding to the earlier penalty is removed and the next higher score shall be recorded. The repeated Shido will be accumulated and converted to the opponent’s score. On the scoreboard repeated Shidos, would be as follows:

1 Shido = a Koka to the opponent
2 Shidos = a Yuko to the opponent
3 Shidos = a Waza-ari to the opponent
4 Shidos = Hansoku-make = disqualification

Some examples of Penalties

Shido

1. To make an action designed to give the impression of an attack but which clearly shows that there was no intent to throw the opponent. (False attack).
2. To intentionally disarrange his own Judogi or to untie or retie the belt or the trousers without the Referee's permission.
3. To insert a finger or fingers inside the opponent's sleeve or bottom of his trousers.
4. To put a hand, arm, foot or leg directly on the opponent's face. The face means the area within the line bordered by the forehead, the front of the ears and the jaw-line.
5. To go outside the contest area or intentionally force the opponent to go outside the contest area either in standing position or in Newaza. (some exceptions apply).
6. To bend back the opponent's finger(s) in order to break his grip.

Hansoku-Make

1. To wear a hard or metallic object (covered or not).
2. To disregard the Referee's instructions.
3. To make unnecessary calls, remarks or gestures derogatory to the opponent or Referee during the contest.
4. To make any action which may endanger or injure the opponent especially the opponent's neck or spinal vertebrae, or may be against the spirit of Judo.
    

Scoreboards

The scoreboard includes the scores, penalties and medicals, if required.
 

An Ippon is not shown on the scoreboard because scoring it ends the match. If the time runs out with neither contestant scoring an ippon, then the referee will award the win to the contestant who has the next highest score. For example a contestant with one yuko would win against an opponent who scored 4 kokas.

If the score is even at the end of the time allowed for a match, usually there will be a Golden Score (also known as “Sudden Death”) where the timer will be reset and the first contestant to score any point wins. If there is no score at the end of the Golden Score period then the referee and judges will decide the winner. They will signal their choice for winner by raising either a blue or white flag (corresponding to the blue and white sash or gi worn by the competitors). All decisions are decided by majority rules.
 

Categories for Competition
 

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