2009 Rule Changes and interpretational adjustments.

 

1. The score KOKA will no longer be called or scored in Judo Competition.

        I.            Landings on the buttock(s) or side of the thigh that were considered Koka may score Yuko if the throw is deliberate (skillful technique), has force and shows clear control. (IJF is working on a video to illustrate this)

      II.            Throws where the landings to the buttock(s) or side of the thigh are borderline, partially lack control or are weak (soft) - Koka should not be scored. Landings to the front/side are not to be scored either.

 

2. Osaekomi Durations Partially

        I.            1 -14 seconds =                 No score (During Golden Score (Kinsa-Advantage))

      II.            15 -19 seconds =               Yuko

    III.            20- 24 seconds =               Waza-ari

    IV.            25 seconds =                      Ippon

 

3. Four shido penalties remain; the first one will now be a warning

 

        I.            The first shido will be awarded and displayed on the scoreboard, however, the opponent will NOT receive the score of Koka. Adapt for electronic boards.

 

      II.            During Golden Score:

a.       The first shido may be given by the referee without consultation with the judges.

b.      The free shido should not be considered in the hantei decision in Golden Score unless it is absolutely the only difference between the two athletes.

c.       The second shido may only be given after consultation with the judges. If 2 of the 3 officials agree to award the penalty, then the penalty is awarded and the contest is ended. If the team is split 2-1 against, the referee and judges just do not give the penalty and the Golden Score period continues. The referee and judges have the option of consulting with the Jury.

 

4. The Golden Score duration will change from length of the original contest to three minutes.

        I.            The decision for hantei is based only on the kinsas that occur during the Golden Score period.

 

 

5. Dynamic Edge (IJF Wording)

        I.            “All actions are valid and may continue (no Mate) as long as either contestant has some part of his (or her) body touching the contest area”. (Similar Ne-waza criterion is to be applied).

      II.            Commentary (Dynamic Edge)

a.       “Actions” are while the competitors are gripping (kumi kata) each other as long as they are moving rapidly, no attack (entry into a throw) need take place, but could take place.

b.      The cardinal principle to follow is Continuity of the Action and Dynamic Action.  A competitor in “action” may play in the safety area as long as either contestant has some part of his/her body touching the contest area. Any break in or stall of the action warrants Mate. This is very different from what we have been doing in the past. This is a more liberal application to allowing the fight to continue. However the referee and judges must be cognizant of the safety issues brought about by this change.

c.       After the original attack inside, award the appropriate score (if any) for any subsequent renraku-waza or kaeshi-waza whether one player is inside (contest area) or both are in the safety area (outside), as long as there is “continuity” and there is no clear break in the dynamic action.

d.      If the referee calls “Mate” in error and the judges believe the action and attack to be valid, they may nullify the Mate and score the throw. The Jury may be consulted 9and probably should be consulted).

e.      Any attack in the Dynamic Edge situation should have immediacy of result.

 

 

6. Article 27.1 Avoid taking hold (or preventing your opponent from taking hold)

 

        I.            This includes blocking to prevent kumi-kata. This includes covers (gripping one’s own lapel in order to prevent the opponent from gripping), hold-aways (gripping one’s lapel and pulling it away out of reach of one’s opponent) etc.

      II.            This also now includes crushing (excessive obi-tori gripping). That is keeping the opponent in a bent-over posture using an over-the-back “crushing” grip to prevent kumi-kata.

    III.            The time frame on this is generally more than five seconds.

    IV.            Application of any negative judo penalties, such as refusal to grip should be made with logical (intuitive) timing and should be made in conjunction with the dynamic (spirit) of the contest.

 

7. Article 27 Excessively Defensive Posture

 

This prohibited act will be penalized more quickly. The goal is to discourage wrestling and wrestling style tactics.

 

8. Article 27 False Attack

        I.            The referee will be more vigilant in the enforcement of false attacks including diving at the legs without a clear attempt at a throw, drop seoi-nage without a clear attempt at a throw or similar unskillful attacks.

      II.            These are mitigated of course by the opponent’s obvious defense. A failed genuine attack is not a false attack.

 

9. Article 27 Hikkomi unskillful take downs in order to enter Ne-waza

        I.            This includes unskillful tomoe-nage, unskillful sumi-gaeshi and similar unskillful attacks where the intent is to enter ne-waza and not to throw one’s opponent. These types of attacks should be penalized with shido.

      II.            The uses of Tomoe-nage to enter into Juji-gatame or similar techniques (Hikkomi gaeshi) are acceptable as long as the attack is continuous and skillful.

 

10. Article 27 Pants Grasping

        I.            A player may NOT "first" grab the trouser leg(s) then attack, but may grab the trousers to assist in finishing an attack that has already been initiated. Grabbing the trousers first, results in an immediate Mate and (shido). Grabbing the pants in the midst of an ongoing attack or even simultaneously in order to finish the attack should not be stopped or penalized.

      II.            Grabbing (Grasping) the leg (not pants) – arm-hook or hand-hook (as in Morote-gari and Kibisu-gaeshi) without grabbing the trousers/pants is still legal. These actions should not be stopped or penalized and any subsequent action should be scored.