Penalties in Judo Competition


Submitted by:
Mel Appelbaum, Chairman, USA Judo Referee Commission

Slight Infringements Group (Shido)

1. To intentionally avoid taking hold in order to prevent action in the contest.
2. To adopt in a standing position an excessively defensive posture. (Generally more than 5 seconds.)
3. 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)
4. [Outdated danger zone penalty.]
5. In a standing position, to continually hold the opponent's sleeve end(s) for a defensive purpose (generally more than 5 seconds) or to grasp by "screwing up" the sleeve.
6. In a standing position, 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)
7. To intentionally disarrange his own judogi or to untie or retie the belt or the trousers without the referee's permission.
8. To pull the opponent down in order to start ne-waza unless in accordance with Article 16.
9. To insert a finger or fingers inside the opponent's sleeve or bottom of his trousers, or to grasp by "screwing up" his sleeve.
10. In a standing position to take any grip other than a "normal" grip without attacking (generally within 3 to 5 seconds).
11. In a standing position, after kumi-kata has been established, not to make any attacking moves.
12. 'Pistol' grip. The holding of the bottom and/or top of the sleeve between the thumb and the fingers known as "pistol grip".
13. 'Pocket' grip. Holding the bottom of the sleeve by folding the sleeve end over.
14. From a standing position, to take hold of the opponent's foot/feet, leg(s) or trouser leg(s) with the hand(s), unless simultaneously attempting a throwing technique.
15. To encircle the end of the belt or jacket around any part of the opponent's body.
16. To take the judogi in the mouth (either his own or his opponent's).
17. To put a hand, arm, foot or leg directly on the opponent's face.
18. To put a foot or a leg in the opponent's belt, collar or lapel.
19. To apply shime-waza using the bottom of the jacket or belt, or using only the fingers.
20. From tachi-waza or ne-waza to go outside the contest area or intentionally force the opponent to go outside the contest area. (See Article 9 - "Exceptions".)
21. To apply leg scissors to the opponent's trunk (dojime), neck or head. (scissor with crossed feet, while stretching out the legs).
22. To kick with the knee or foot, the hand or arm of the opponent, in order to make him release his grip.
23. To bend back the opponent's finger(s) in order to break his grip.

Grave Infringements Group (Hansoku Make)

1. To attempt to throw the opponent by winding one leg around the opponent's leg, while facing more or less in the same direction as the opponent and falling backwards onto him (kawazu-gake).
2. To apply kansetsu-waza anywhere other than to the elbow joint.
3. To lift off the mat an opponent who is lying on the mat and to drive him back onto the mat.
4. To reap the opponents supporting leg from the inside when the opponent is applying a technique such as harai-goshi etc.
5. To disregard the referee's instructions.
6. To make unnecessary calls, remarks or gestures derogatory to the opponent or referee during the contest.
7. 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. (Eg. kani-basami).
8. To fall directly to the mat while applying or attempting to apply techniques such as waki-gatame.
9. To "dive" head first, onto the mat by bending forward and downward while performing or attempting to perform techniques such as uchi-mata, harai-goshi, etc.
10. To intentionally fall backwards when the other contestant is clinging to his back and when either contestant has control of the other's movement (kata guruma standing or on the knees and falling directly backwards).
11. To wear a hard or metallic object (covered or not).

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