Martial Art – Rules of Judo and Skills Basic 6 Basic Technology Lesson Note

LEARNING OBJECTIVES By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:

1. State rules of judo
2. List terminologies in judo game
3. Demonstrate the judo basic skills

RULES OF JUDO

GENERAL COMPETITION RULES:

1. Contest Duration:

• Men: 5 minutes
• Women: 4 minutes
• Children/Juniors: 3-4 minutes depending on age
• Match continues until time expires or someone wins by Ippon

2. Competition Area:

• Must stay within the contest area (tatami)
• Stepping outside with both feet may result in penalty
• Competition area minimum 8m x 8m

3. Uniform (Judogi) Requirements:

• Must be clean and in good condition
• Jacket must cover hips when belt is tied
• Sleeves must reach wrists but not cover hands
• Pants must reach ankles but not cover feet
• One competitor wears white, other wears blue

4. Personal Hygiene:

• Fingernails and toenails must be short
• Hair must be tied back if long
• No jewelry allowed (remove rings, earrings, necklaces)
• Must be clean before competition

5. Bowing (Rei):

• Bow when entering and leaving the mat
• Bow to opponent before and after match
• Bow to referee
• Shows respect – very important in judo

SCORING SYSTEM:

IPPON (10 points – Full Point):

• Match winner – contest ends immediately
• Awarded for:
  1. Throwing opponent largely on their back with force and speed
  2. Holding opponent on their back for 20 seconds
  3. Making opponent submit (tap out) with arm lock or strangle
  4. Opponent receives three shidos (penalties)

WAZA-ARI (7 points – Half Point):

• Almost Ip

pon

• Awarded for:
  1. Throwing opponent but lacking one element (force, speed, or largely on back)
  2. Holding opponent on their back for 10-19 seconds
• Two Waza-ari equal one Ippon (automatic win)

YUKO (No longer used since 2017) Previously awarded for minor scores, but removed to simplify scoring

KOKA (No longer used since 2009) Previously lowest score, now eliminated

PENALTIES (SHIDO):

Penalties are given for:

• Stepping outside competition area repeatedly
• Avoiding engagement or not attacking
• Grabbing below the belt
• False attacks with no intention to throw
• Defensive posture for too long
• Taking more than 5 seconds to engage after referee says “Hajime”
• Illegal techniques

Penalty System:

• First Shido: Warning
• Second Shido: Another warning
• Third Shido: Opponent wins by Ippon (automatic disqualification)

PROHIBITED ACTIONS (ILLEGAL TECHNIQUES):

1. Leg Grabbing: Cannot grab opponent’s legs in most situations
2. Punch or Kick: No striking allowed
3. Bite or Scratch: Absolutely forbidden
4. Touch Face: Cannot put fingers in opponent’s face
5. Bend Fingers Back: Cannot attack small joints
6. Talk During Match: Cannot speak except to submit
7. Metal/Hard Objects: Nothing hard worn on body
8. Kawazu-gake: Certain dangerous leg throws banned
9. Direct Head Diving: Cannot dive head-first
10. Attack Spine: Cannot apply pressure to spine

MATCH PROCEDURES:

Starting the Match:

1. Both judokas stand at marked positions
2. Bow to each other
3. Referee says “Hajime” (Begin)
4. Match starts

During the Match: 5. Referee says “Matte” (Wait/Stop) to pause action 6. Fighters return to starting positions 7. Referee says “Hajime” to restart

Ending the Match: 8. Referee says “Sore-made” (That’s all) when time expires 9. Both return to starting positions 10. Referee raises hand of winner 11. Both bow to each other 12. Bow to referee 13. Leave the mat

WINNING CONDITIONS:

A judoka wins by:

1. Ippon: One full point
2. Two Waza-ari: Equals Ippon
3. Opponent’s Disqualification: Three shidos or serious violation
4. Decision: If time expires with no Ippon, higher score wins
5. Golden Score: In case of tie, sudden death overtime (first score wins)
6. Opponent Withdraws: Due to injury or giving up

JUDO TERMINOLOGIES

BASIC JAPANESE TERMS:

Greetings and Commands:

1. Rei: Bow
2. Hajime: Begin/Start
3. Matte: Wait/Stop
4. Sore-made: End of match
5. Yoshi: Continue (from ground position)
6. Osaekomi: Hold down started
7. Toketa: Hold broken
8. Hantei: Judgment/Decision

Scores and Results: 9. Ippon: Full point – winner 10. Waza-ari: Half point 11. Shido: Penalty 12. Hansoku-make: Disqualification 13. Fusen-gachi: Win by default (opponent doesn’t show) 14. Kiken-gachi: Win by withdrawal

People and Places: 15. Judoka: Judo practitioner 16. Sensei: Teacher/Instructor 17. Tatami: Judo mat 18. Dojo: Training hall 19. Tori: Person performing technique 20. Uke: Person receiving technique (training partner)

Uniform: 21. Judogi: Judo uniform 22. Gi: Jacket 23. Obi: Belt 24. Kyu: Colored belt ranks 25. Dan: Black belt ranks

Techniques: 26. Waza: Technique 27. Nage-waza: Throwing techniques 28. Katame-waza: Grappling/Ground techniques 29. Ukemi: Breakfall/Safe falling 30. Kuzushi: Breaking balance 31. Tsukuri: Positioning/Fitting in 32. Kake: Execution of throw

Types of Techniques: 33. Tachi-waza: Standing techniques 34. Sutemi-waza: Sacrifice techniques 35. Ne-waza: Ground techniques 36. Osaekomi-waza: Pinning techniques 37. Shime-waza: Strangling techniques 38. Kansetsu-waza: Joint locks (arm locks only)

Training Terms: 39. Randori: Free practice/Sparring 40. Kata: Pre-arranged forms 41. Uchi-komi: Repeated practice of technique 42. Kumi-kata: Gripping methods

BASIC JUDO SKILLS

1. UKEMI (BREAKFALLS) – Safe Falling

The most important skill in judo – learning to fall safely without injury.

1. USHIRO UKEMI (Backward Breakfall)

• Roll backward
• Slap mat hard with both arms at 45-degree angle
• Tuck chin to chest (don’t hit head)
• Keep body curved
• Practice: Start sitting, then from squatting, finally from standing

1. YOKO UKEMI (Side Breakfall)

• Fall to side
• Slap mat with one arm
• Body forms banana shape
• Protect head by tucking chin
• Opposite leg lifts up
• Practice: From sitting position, progress to standing

1. MAE UKEMI (Forward Breakfall)

• Fall forward
• Slap mat with both forearms
• Turn head to side
• Body stays slightly arched
• Practice: From kneeling position first

1. ZENPO KAITEN UKEMI (Forward Rolling Breakfall)

• Forward roll over shoulder
• Tuck chin
• Roll diagonally across back
• Slap mat with arm
• Stand up smoothly
• Practice: Roll slowly at first, gradually increase speed

Why Ukemi is Important:

• Prevents injuries during throws
• Builds confidence
• First skill taught to beginners
• Used in every practice session

2. SHISEI (POSTURE AND STANCE)

Proper posture is essential for balance and technique.

1. SHIZENHONTAI (Natural Posture)

• Stand naturally upright
• Feet shoulder-width apart
• Knees slightly bent
• Weight evenly distributed
• Body relaxed but ready
• Used most often in practice

1. JIGOHONTAI (Defensive Posture)

• Wider stance (feet apart)
• Knees more bent
• Lower center of gravity
• Harder to throw but harder to attack from
• Used when defending

1. MIGI-SHIZENTAI (Right Natural Posture)

• Right foot slightly forward

1. HIDARI-SHIZENTAI (Left Natural Posture)

• Left foot slightly forward

3. KUZUSHI (BREAKING BALANCE)

Making opponent unstable before throwing.

Eight Directions of Kuzushi:

1. Forward (mae)
2. Backward (ushiro)
3. Right side (migi)
4. Left side (hidari)
5. Right front corner (migi-mae-sumi)
6. Left front corner (hidari-mae-sumi)
7. Right back corner (migi-ushiro-sumi)
8. Left back corner (hidari-ushiro-sumi)

How to Break Balance:

• Pull or push opponent
• Time movement with their steps
• Use their force against them
• Create opportunity for throw

4. TSUKURI (FITTING IN/POSITIONING)

Positioning your body correctly for the throw.

Steps:

• Get close to opponent
• Position body properly
• Place feet correctly
• Prepare for throw
• Keep good balance yourself

5. KAKE (EXECUTION)

Completing the throw with proper technique.

Elements:

• Use momentum
• Apply technique smoothly
• Follow through
• Control opponent’s fall

6. KUMI-KATA (GRIPPING)

How to hold the opponent’s judogi.

Standard Right-Handed Grip:

• Right hand grabs opponent’s left lapel (near collar)
• Left hand grabs opponent’s right sleeve (near elbow)
• Keep elbows in
• Maintain firm but flexible grip

Standard Left-Handed Grip:

• Opposite of right-handed grip

Important Points:

• Don’t grip with stiff arms
• Keep hands active
• Be ready to adjust grip
• Don’t grip for too long without attacking

7. BASIC THROWING TECHNIQUES (NAGE-WAZA)
8. O-GOSHI (Major Hip Throw)

• Turn body
• Place hip under opponent’s center
• Lift with legs and hips
• Throw over hip
• One of the first throws learned

1. IPPON SEOI-NAGE (One-Arm Shoulder Throw)

• Pull opponent forward
• Turn under their arm
• Load them on shoulder
• Throw forward over shoulder

1. DE-ASHI-BARAI (Advanced Foot Sweep)

• Sweep opponent’s advancing foot
• Timing is critical
• Light but quick movement
• Opponent falls as foot is swept away

1. O-SOTO-GARI (Major Outer Reap)

• Step beside opponent
• Sweep their leg from outside
• Push forward with upper body
• They fall backward

1. O-UCHI-GARI (Major Inner Reap)

• Sweep opponent’s leg from inside
• Push them backward
• They lose balance and fall

1. UCHI-MATA (Inner Thigh Throw)

• Turn into opponent
• Swing leg between their legs
• Lift with thigh
• Advanced technique but very effective

8. GROUNDWORK TECHNIQUES (NE-WAZA)
9. OSAEKOMI-WAZA (Holding/Pinning)

Kesa-Gatame (Scarf Hold):

• Control opponent’s head and arm
• Sit beside them
• Trap their arm under yours
• Spread legs wide for base
• Hold for 20 seconds to win

Yoko-Shiho-Gatame (Side Four-Corner Hold):

• Lie across opponent’s chest
• Control both arms
• Spread legs for balance
• Press chest down on them

Kami-Shiho-Gatame (Upper Four-Corner Hold):

• Control from head side
• Trap both arms
• Sprawl legs back
• Apply pressure with chest

Tate-Shiho-Gatame (Mounted Hold):

• Sit on opponent’s chest
• Control both arms
• Hook legs under their body

1. ESCAPES FROM HOLDS:

• Bridge (push hips up)
• Shrimp (hip escape)
• Roll
• Push opponent away
• Turn onto stomach (but can lose – careful!)

9. BASIC COMBINATION TECHNIQUES (RENRAKU-WAZA)

Linking techniques together:

• If first throw fails, immediately try second technique
• Use opponent’s reaction against them
• Flow from one technique to another
• Example: O-uchi-gari to Ko-uchi-gari

10. RANDORI (FREE PRACTICE)

Practicing techniques in realistic sparring:

• Both partners try to throw each other
• Use techniques learned
• Practice at 70% intensity (not full competition)
• Focus on learning, not just winning
• Respect partner’s safety
• Goal is improvement

TRAINING PROGRESSION:

Beginners (White Belt):

• Focus on ukemi (breakfalls)
• Learn basic posture and movement
• Practice simple grips
• Learn 1-2 basic throws

Intermediate (Yellow-Green Belt):

• Refine basic techniques
• Learn more throws
• Begin groundwork
• Start light randori

Advanced (Blue-Brown Belt):

• Master multiple techniques
• Develop combinations
• Compete in tournaments
• Help teach beginners

Expert (Black Belt):

• Teach others
• Continuous refinement
• Compete at high levels
• Study advanced tactics

SAFETY DURING PRACTICE:

1. Always warm up before practicing throws
2. Tap mat or partner when caught in submission (signal to stop)
3. Protect your partner – don’t injure them
4. Practice ukemi daily – falling safely saves you
5. Follow sensei’s instructions exactly
6. Don’t try advanced techniques without supervision
7. Stop immediately if injured
8. Respect partner’s skill level – don’t overpower beginners

EVALUATION

1. State three main rules of judo competition
2. What does “Hajime” mean in judo?
3. What is Ippon and how can you score it?
4. Name and describe two basic breakfalls
5. What is the purpose of Kuzushi in judo?

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS

1. Judo match starts when referee says ________ 

1. a) Matte
2. b) Hajime
3. c) Rei
4. d) Sore-made

1. An Ippon means ________ 

1. a) Penalty
2. b) Full point – match winner
3. c) Half point
4. d) Timeout

1. The most important judo skill for beginners is ________ 

1. a) Throwing
2. b) Punching
3. c) Ukemi (breakfalls)
4. d) Running

1. How long must you hold an opponent for Ippon? 

1. a) 5 seconds
2. b) 10 seconds
3. c) 15 seconds
4. d) 20 seconds

1. “Sensei” means ________ 

1. a) Student
2. b) Teacher
3. c) Referee
4. d) Match

1. Breaking opponent’s balance is called ________ 

1. a) Ukemi
2. b) Kuzushi
3. c) Randori
4. d) Kata

1. The judo mat is called ________ 

1. a) Dojo
2. b) Judogi
3. c) Tatami
4. d) Ring

1. Which is NOT allowed in judo? 

1. a) Throwing
2. b) Holding
3. c) Punching
4. d) Arm locks

1. Two Waza-ari equal ________ 

1. a) Shido
2. b) Ippon
3. c) Matte
4. d) Nothing

1. Free practice in judo is called ________ 

1. a) Kata
2. b) Ukemi
3. c) Randori
4. d) Kuzushi

ANSWERS: 1.b 2.b 3.c 4.d 5.b 6.b 7.c 8.c 9.b 10.c

HOMEWORK

1. List and explain five major rules of judo competition
2. Write the meanings of ten judo terminologies in Japanese and English
3. Draw and describe three basic breakfalls with stick figures
4. Explain the three stages of throwing (Kuzushi, Tsukuri, Kake)
5. Why is respect (bowing) so important in judo? Write a short paragraph