Competitors and coaches will need to present a valid USA Judo Membership.

Events will use a Modified IJF Rule Set

These events are designed to give the best possible experience for the athlete. Coaches and referees should work together to create a positive experience for athletes. 

The focus of these events is development and the emphasis is on positive judo (Throws, Pins, Armlocks, Chokes). 

MATCH TIMES

YOUTH DIVISION MATCH TIMES:

• All Youth Divisions have 3-minute match times.
• Golden Score is 2 minutes.

JUVENILE DIVISION MATCH TIMES:

• All Juvenile Divisions have 3-minute match times.
• Golden Score is 2 minutes.

CADET DIVISION MATCH TIMES:

• All Cadet Divisions have 4-minute match times.
• Golden Score is unlimited.

JUNIOR DIVISION MATCH TIMES:

• All Junior Divisions have 4-minute match times.
• Golden Score is unlimited.

SENIOR DIVISION MATCH TIMES:

• All Senior Divisions have 4-minute match times.
• Golden Score is unlimited.

VETERAN DIVISION MATCH TIMES:

• All Veteran Divisions have 4-minute match times.
• Golden Score is unlimited.

COACHING

Coaching is encouraged at all times during the matches regardless of the division of the competitor (coaching throughout the match is allowed).

What does it mean to coach your athlete: 

• All comments from the coach should be geared towards helping your athlete perform a judo technique.
• As long as coaches are being a positive influence over the athlete they will be encouraged to continue coaching. 

PENALTIES

BASIC DIVISIONS

Shidos will not be handed out for Minor infractions

• Referees will warn judoka about infractions and instruct them not to do so in the future. 
• If a judoka gets 3 warnings for the same infraction they will lose the match. 
• If a judoka gets 3 warnings for different infractions the match will continue. 

NOVICE DIVISIONS

• Referees will use their discretion to give penalties
• Penalties include: Running out of bounds, defensive posture, false attacks, defensive gripping, or any action deemed to prevent their opponent from positive judo.

OPEN & IJF DIVISIONS

• These will follow "normal" IJF Rules

JUDO GI CONTROL

All competitors must wear a properly fitting JUDO gi. A properly fitting Judo gi is defined as sleeves touching the wrist bones, and pants touching the ankle bone. Please note there are Judo Gi rules that apply to specific age categories will be listed. Please note there is no official GI control but if a referee deems a Judo uniform illegal the athlete will be required to change.

YOUTH & JUVENILE DIVISIONS GI CONTROL

• Any color (white, blue, black)
• Any patches/embroidery can be worn as long as it does not hinder opponents' ability to grab judo gi or go against the spirit of judo.
• White Judo Gis are preferred

CADET, JUNIOR, SENIOR & VETERAN DIVISION GI CONTROL

• All Basic Divisions may wear any color Judo Gi. White Judo Gi Preferred.
• All Novice Divisions may wear any color Judo Gi. White Judo Gi Preferred.
• All IJF Divisions must have a WHITE & BLUE Judo Gi. It does not need to have an IJF Label but does need to meet the IJF Sizing Requirements.