Section 5: Rules of Play
Match Length
- Single 3-minute period (4 minutes for Senior major championship)
- Match is continuous; the three "phases" describe the techniques permitted at any given moment, not separate timed sub-rounds
Phase 1: Striking (Atemi-Waza)
- Light-contact punches + kicks to permitted target areas
- 1 point per clean strike
- No knockouts permitted — heavy contact is penalized
Phase 2: Throws + Transitions
- Throws scored 2-7 points depending on amplitude + landing
- Ippon (full throw to back): 7 points
- Wazari (partial back-landing): 5 points
- Yuko: 3 points
Phase 3: Groundwork (Newaza)
- Pin (15 seconds): 5 points
- Submission via tap = total victory (ippon)
- Joint locks on arms + chokes legal at Senior level; restricted in Junior
- No leg locks (heel hooks, kneebars prohibited)
Phase Transitions
- Continuous flow: referee directs transitions based on competitor actions
- Stalemate in any phase → referee restart in standing