| Though judo began its life and continues to | | | | of competition. Scoring is played out in a |
| serve a dual life as a practiced and | | | | system of Ippon, waza-ari, yuko, and koka, |
| venerable martial art, free of competition | | | | which means a point system of 10, 7, 5, and 3 |
| and entirely for the betterment of self, it | | | | down the line. The Ippon is the greatest of |
| cannot be ignored that the sporting aspect of | | | | goals in the arena of competition and is |
| judo has become quite popular. Of course, | | | | awarded for perfect technique in a throw or |
| this is not new, either. Even Dr. Jigoro | | | | submission hold. |
| Kano, the founder of judo, encouraged judo | | | | |
| competitions and was in fact a big supporter | | | | Rules about the competition area include the |
| of the Olympic games, where judo soon earned | | | | fact that the floor must be padded with |
| a place. Here is a brief overview of some of | | | | tatami, and there are size restrictions that |
| the rules of competitive judo. | | | | must be followed exactly. This includes the |
| | | | minimum allowable size of 14 meters by 14 |
| There are some basic rules that apply to the | | | | meters for the area, and an 8 by 8 by 10 |
| sport of judo, whether within the confines of | | | | meter area within the larger area for the |
| competition or a friendly sparring match in | | | | actual competition. The rest of the area must |
| the dojo. These rules are inflexible and | | | | be there as a safety zone for the |
| apply to all true judo competition. Injuring | | | | competitors. |
| an opponent on purpose is never permitted. No | | | | |
| strikes are allowed within the setting of a | | | | There are also rules governing the proper |
| judo competition, either. Though judo in | | | | size and length of the judogi, or uniform, |
| practice makes use of striking and the study | | | | that the competitors wear within the |
| thereof, it is not a part of competition. | | | | competition. These rules are in place for |
| There must be no contact with the opponent's | | | | safety reasons, and for the fact that so much |
| face, and there shall be no joint attacks, | | | | of judo competition is based around throwing |
| other than the elbow. There are other rules | | | | and grappling with the use of the gi for |
| that govern most judo competition in general, | | | | leverage. There are strict size regulations |
| but these give you an idea of the basics. | | | | preventing either the sleeves or the pants |
| | | | from being too short, thus preventing an |
| Now on to rules that are in place only in the | | | | opponent from being able to grab them in the |
| event of a true judo competition. These rules | | | | competition. |
| need not necessarily apply to dojo sparring, | | | | |
| but almost certainly apply to tournament | | | | This is but a brief overview of some of the |
| play, and definitely within the confines of | | | | rules of competitive judo. Each tournament |
| the Olympics. These would include the | | | | and individual competition may have its own |
| prohibition of stalling tactics, and the | | | | unique rules and regulations, particularly as |
| disallowance of a defensive posture. It is | | | | they apply to age, weight division, and the |
| also required to bow when entering the arena | | | | allowable holds thereof. |