NSWKJA Regional Judo Competition

NSWKJA REGIONAL JUDO COMPETITION

Competition Rules — Developmental Trial

AKJA Foundation with Selected Traditional Judo / Judo For All Developmental Variations

Version 1.0 — 2026

These rules are intended for the NSWKJA regional competition trial. They use the 2024 Australian Kodokan Judo

Association (AKJA) competition rules as the primary foundation, with selected developmental variations adopted for this

local event. They do not amend the rules governing AKJA competitions generally.

1. PURPOSE

The NSWKJA Regional Judo Competition is a developmental competition designed to:

• provide regular competition opportunities for regional judoka.
• encourage positive, technical judo.
• encourage both tachi-waza and ne-waza.
• develop athletes, coaches and referees.
• provide experience for competitors progressing to larger NSW, interstate, national or international competitions.
• maintain traditional judo etiquette and values.
• provide a safe, welcoming and enjoyable competition environment.

This is a local developmental trial and may be reviewed and amended following practical experience and feedback.

2. COMPETITION PHILOSOPHY

• Traditional Kodokan Judo.
• Positive attacking judo.
• Technical skill rather than brute force.
• Appropriate combinations and counters.
• Development of ne-waza.
• Respect toward opponents, coaches and officials.
• Safety as the overriding consideration.

3. ELIGIBILITY

1. Competitors must be appropriately trained and fit to participate.
2. Competitors must be entered by a recognised club or coach.
3. Competitors must meet the membership, licence and insurance requirements specified for the event.
4. Competitors must meet the age and competition requirements specified for the event.
5. The competitor's coach must confirm that the competitor is competent to compete.

The Tournament Director may refuse or withdraw a competitor where there is a genuine concern regarding safety, fitness, experience or suitability.

4. JUDOGI AND HYGIENE

• Clean, appropriate judo uniform.
• Judogi must be suitable for competition and free from dangerous or excessive damage.
• Fingernails and toenails must be short.
• Long hair must be securely tied.
• Nothing may be worn that could injure either competitor.

5. ETIQUETTE

• Bow before entering and leaving the contest area.
• Perform Ritsurei.
• Begin from Shizen Hontai.NSWKJA Regional Competition Rules — 2026 | Page 1
• Bow to the opponent before and after the contest.
• Respect referees and officials.
• Acknowledge the opponent appropriately where directed.

6. REFEREES

The referee is responsible for safety, contest control, scoring, penalties, Osaekomi, Matte, Hajime, Sono-mama, Yoshi and Sore-made, and decisions under these rules. A Referee Director or Tournament Director may be appointed as senior authority.

7. CONTEST AREA

The contest and safety areas must be suitable for the age and level of competitors. The referee may stop a contest where either competitor approaches an unsafe position or area. Dynamic edge rules are not adopted; a technique commenced inside may score where the referee determines it was genuinely initiated inside.

8. GRIP AND ENGAGEMENT

Competitors should establish a conventional judo grip promptly after Hajime. The aim is positive judo rather than prolonged grip fighting.

• Deliberately avoiding a grip.
• Continually preventing the opponent taking a grip.
• Excessively defensive posture.
• Repeated stiff-arm defence.
• Grip fighting without attempting an attack.
• Deliberately pulling the opponent down without a genuine technique.

9. SCORING

Score Points Description

• Yuko 5 Valid technical score not meeting

Waza-ari requirements.

• Waza-ari 7 Significant throwing or groundwork score not meeting Ippon requirements.

• Ippon 10 Decisive score from a valid throw, submission or qualifying hold-down.

• Two Waza-ari scores result in Waza-ari Awasete Ippon.

10. OSAEKOMI — HOLD-DOWN TIMES

The AKJA hold-down times are retained for this competition:

Hold time Score Points

• 15.00–19.99 seconds Yuko 5
• 20.00–24.99 seconds Waza-ari 7
• 25.00 seconds Ippon 10

Osaekomi may continue through a transition from one Osaekomi-waza to another provided control is maintained. Active groundwork may continue where there is a genuine opportunity for a score, submission, escape or technical transition.

11. NE-WAZA

Competitors are encouraged to continue genuine throwing attacks into ne-waza. The referee should not unnecessarily stop active groundwork.

• Matte may be called when there is no meaningful progression.
• Matte may be called when both competitors become inactive.NSWKJA Regional Competition Rules — 2026 | Page 2
• Matte may be called for safety or an unsuitable position.
• Matte may be called to address an infringement.

Pulling an opponent directly to the ground simply to start ne-waza without a genuine throwing attempt may be penalised.

12. LEG GRABS

Leg-grabbing techniques are permitted under this developmental ruleset. The intention is to allow legitimate traditional judo techniques while preventing leg grabbing from becoming a method of stalling or avoiding judo.

Permitted:

• Leg grabs following a genuine initial throwing attack as part of a combination.
• Immediate counter-attacks involving a leg grab.
• Morote-gari from an established Kumi-kata.
• Kata-guruma involving contact with the leg.
• Leg contact used as part of a genuine judo technique.

Not permitted:

• Grabbing legs simply to stall.
• Holding a leg without attempting a technique.
• Repeatedly shooting at the legs without genuine judo intent.
• Using leg grabbing purely to prevent the opponent attacking.
• Dangerous or uncontrolled leg attacks.

Kani Basami and Kawazu-gake remain prohibited. Leg locks remain prohibited.

13. SACRIFICE TECHNIQUES

Sacrifice techniques are permitted when performed safely and with appropriate technical control. Dangerous or uncontrolled techniques may be penalised.

14. PROHIBITED ACTIONS

• Deliberately avoiding engagement.
• Excessive defensive posture.
• False attacks.
• Negative judo.
• Deliberately forcing an opponent out.
• Deliberately stepping outside.
• Pulling an opponent down without a genuine attack.
• Holding a leg, trouser or belt without attempting an attack.
• Dangerous gripping.
• Attacking fingers deliberately.
• Deliberately placing a hand, foot or knee on the opponent's face.
• Leg locks.
• Kani Basami.
• Kawazu-gake.
• Dangerous head-driving techniques.
• Uncontrolled techniques likely to cause injury.
• Abusive or threatening behaviour.

15. PENALTIES

Shido may be awarded for technical or behavioural infringements. Where appropriate, the referee should briefly explain the reason for the penalty for competitor education.

Hansoku-make may be awarded immediately for a serious or dangerous infringement. Safety takes priority over normal penalty progression. NSWKJA Regional Competition Rules — 2026 | Page 3

16. GOLDEN SCORE AND HANTEI

If the contest is tied at the end of regulation time, it may proceed to Golden Score. Golden Score continues until a technical score is achieved, a decisive penalty determines the contest, or the Golden Score period expires.

If the contest remains undecided, the referee and judges will determine the winner by Hantei, considering:

• Quality of attacks.
• Effective judo.
• Technical superiority.
• Positive engagement.
• Tachi-waza.
• Ne-waza.
• Overall activity during the contest.

17. SUBMISSIONS

Shime-waza and Kansetsu-waza are permitted for competitors aged 16 years and over, subject to referee safety control.

Competitors under 16 are not permitted to apply armlocks or strangles. A successful submission results in Ippon.

18. JUNIOR COMPETITORS

Safety takes precedence in all junior contests. The normal age groups are:

• 6–7 years.
• 8–9 years.
• 10–12 years.
• 13–15 years.

Age groups may be adjusted or combined depending on entries.

Under 13, the following remain prohibited:

• Drop Seoi-nage or other throws where the player drops to both knees.
• Dangerous neck-encircling throws.
• Te