What gets you disqualified in judo?
I · Intermediate · Penalties and injuries · 7 of 9Hansoku-make is disqualification from the contest, and the opponent wins by ippon. It comes from a third shido, from a dangerous technique such as diving head first into a throw, or from an act against the spirit of judo. Only the last kind removes the athlete from the whole competition.
How it works
| Kind | Cause | Can the athlete continue in the competition? |
|---|---|---|
| Indirect | A third shido | Yes |
| Direct, dangerous technique | Head diving: bending forward and down on to the mat while attempting a throw such as uchi-mata or seoi-nage, or somersaulting forward with the opponent on the back | Yes |
| Direct, against the spirit of judo | The acts listed below | No. The athlete keeps the place already reached |
Acts against the spirit of judo include:
- The throws kawazu-gake and kani-basami, and the body squeeze do-jime.
- A joint lock on anything other than the elbow.
- A standing strangle or armlock with a high risk of injury.
- Reaping the opponent's standing leg from the inside when behind them.
- Any action that may injure the opponent's neck or spine.
- Falling backwards on purpose with the opponent clinging to the back.
- Lifting the opponent off the mat and driving them back down without a judo technique.
- Disregarding the referee's instructions.
- Derogatory remarks or gestures towards the opponent or the referee.
- Wearing a hard or metallic object.
- "Anti-judo" of any other kind, such as leaving the contest area in the last seconds to protect a lead.
Before giving hansoku-make the referee must consult the supervising officials.
Tricky cases
An athlete is disqualified for head diving. Can they fight for bronze?
Yes. A hansoku-make for a dangerous technique lets the athlete continue in the competition.
Is the "scissors" throw, kani-basami, legal?
No. Applying it is a direct hansoku-make.
Both athletes are given a direct hansoku-make. What happens?
A commission of IJF officials decides the consequences.
Why the rule exists
Head diving is banned to protect the thrower's own neck, and the rest of the list protects the opponent or the conduct of the sport. Separating danger from bad faith lets an athlete who made a risky mistake fight on, while one who cheated or abused does not.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| IJF rules | As above | J 18; J 18.2; J 18.3 |
| Cadet events | Using the head to throw or defend is a shido, and the head-diving rule still applies | J 18.1.4; J 18.2.1 |
From the rule book
International Judo Federation Sport and Organisation Rules, Refereeing Rules, Articles 9, 18, 18.2 and 18.3. Version of 24 July 2026. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: IJF Sport and Organisation Rules (PDF).