Who judges ju-jitsu duo, and can a coach challenge the marks?
A · Advanced · Judging · 3 of 3A mat referee conducts the performance, three jury referees give the marks and a video referee scores variety and checks the footage. A coach may challenge only at the end of a performance, and only over a wrong attack, weapon control or variety. The marks given for each part of a technique cannot be challenged.
How it works
- Mat referee: on the mat. Starts each attack with "Hajime", steps in between attacks and calls "Hantei" at the end.
- Three jury referees: beside the mat. They give the marks.
- Video referee: next to the secretariat, with cameras at opposite corners. Scores variety and can mark a wrong attack.
- Head referee: supervises the referees and keeps a record.
- Neutral: jury and video referees should be from countries other than the pairs', if possible.
- Hantei: at the end the pair kneels and the mat referee raises the right hand to call for the marks.
- Coaches: one for each pair, seated.
- Challenges: in qualification, of the coach's own pair. In the medal rounds, of the other pair too.
- What can be challenged: a wrong attack, weapon control and variety, at the hantei.
The glossary has the hantei and jury, the coaches, the referee team, the wrong attack, the variety and the referee gestures.
Tricky cases
Can a coach challenge a judge's mark of 1 for a throw?
No. It is not possible to challenge the referees' evaluation of parts 1 to 4 of each technique.
Can a coach challenge another pair's performance?
Yes, in the medal rounds. In qualification a coach may challenge only their own pair.
When is a challenge made?
At the hantei at the end of the performance, not during the breaks between attacks.
Who reviews a challenge?
The video referee, with the mat referee's help if needed.
Why the rule exists
The marks for a part of a technique are a judgement, and a review of a judgement would only swap one opinion for another. Wrong attacks, weapon control and variety are facts that a camera can settle, so those are the challengeable points.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Qualification | Challenge of the coach's own pair | JJIF Duo 3.3.4 |
| Medal rounds | Challenge of the other pair as well | JJIF Duo 3.3.4 |
| Part marks | Cannot be challenged | JJIF Duo 3.3.4 |
| Not enough neutral referees | The mat referee may share a nationality with a pair | JJIF Duo 5.1.3 |
From the rule book
Ju-Jitsu International Federation, Ju-Jitsu Duo Rulebook (version 4.1, approved March 2024), Sections 3, 4.5 and 9 and Appendix II. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: the federation's Ju-Jitsu Duo Rulebook.