Section 5: Rules of Play
5.1 Match Duration
All individual matches at IJF-sanctioned events are 4 minutes in duration for both men and women. The clock is stopped during "matte" (halt) calls and other stoppages. If the match is tied at the end of regulation time, it proceeds to Golden Score: an unlimited overtime period with no time limit, where the first score of any kind (ippon, waza-ari, or the opponent receiving a third shido) immediately wins the match. The clock in Golden Score counts upward from 0:00.
5.2 Starting and Resuming
Athletes begin each match standing at their designated marks on the mat, approximately 4 m apart. The referee calls "Hajime" (begin) to start and "Matte" (wait/stop) to halt action. After matte, athletes return to their starting positions before the referee restarts with hajime. The referee calls "Sore-made" (that is all) to end the match.
5.3 Standing Techniques (Tachi-waza)
The primary objective in standing combat is to execute a throwing technique that projects the opponent onto their back. Athletes establish grips (kumi-kata) on the opponent's judogi and attempt to create off-balance (kuzushi) before executing a throw. Key standing rules include:
- Athletes must make genuine attempts to attack. Prolonged periods without attack are penalized as non-combativity (passivity).
- Standard grip: one hand on the lapel, one hand on the sleeve. Non-standard grips (cross-grip, belt grip, back grip, pocket grip) are permitted but the athlete must attack immediately or transition to a standard grip.
- One-hand gripping without immediate attack, or breaking grip with two hands on the same arm, is penalized by shido.
- Pistol grip (gripping the end of the sleeve by rolling it) and pocket grip (inserting fingers inside the sleeve or trouser leg) are prohibited.
5.4 Ground Techniques (Ne-waza)
Ground work is permitted when there is a legitimate transition from standing to ground, including:
- A throw attempt that brings both athletes to the ground.
- One athlete falling or being pulled to the ground through a legitimate technique.
- One athlete skillfully transitioning from a standing position to a ground position while maintaining contact.
Once on the ground, athletes may apply pins (osaekomi-waza), arm locks (kansetsu-waza), or chokes (shime-waza). The referee calls "Osaekomi" when a valid pin is established, starting the pin timer. The referee calls "Toketa" if the pinned athlete escapes. If neither athlete makes progress on the ground, the referee calls matte and returns both athletes to standing.
5.5 Leg Grab Ban
Since the 2013 rule revision, all direct attacks to the opponent's legs using the hands or arms are strictly prohibited. Any attempt to grab, block, or attack the opponent's legs below the belt line — whether as a primary attack, counter-attack, or in combination — results in immediate hansoku-make (disqualification). This rule was introduced to promote dynamic, upright judo and clearly distinguish competitive judo from wrestling styles. The ban applies to techniques such as morote-gari (two-hand reap), kuchiki-taoshi (single-leg takedown), kibisu-gaeshi (heel pick), and kata-guruma executed by grabbing the legs.
5.6 Boundary Rules
A technique initiated inside the contest area remains valid even if the athletes land in the safety zone, provided the attacking action began while at least one foot of the attacker was inside or on the danger zone boundary. If both athletes step fully outside the contest area without a technique in progress, the referee calls matte. Deliberately stepping outside to avoid an attack or to stall is penalized by shido.