How long do you have to hold someone down in judo?
B · Beginner · Scoring and winning · 3 of 7A hold-down scores by time: 20 seconds for ippon, 10 to 19 for waza-ari and 5 to 9 for yuko. The clock starts when the referee calls "osaekomi", with the opponent's back on the mat and under control, and stops on "toketa", when the hold is broken.
How it works
The referee calls "osaekomi" when the athlete being held:
- is controlled from the side, from the rear or from on top, and
- has the whole back, or the whole upper back, on the tatami.
The athlete applying the hold must be on top, pressing down with the upper body, and must not have their body or legs trapped by the opponent's legs.
- Breaking it: if the athlete underneath gets free, or traps the holder's leg or body with their own legs, the referee calls "toketa" and the count stops. Whatever the clock had reached is scored.
- Bridging does not break a hold if the holder keeps control.
- Changing holds: the count carries on if the holder moves to another hold without losing control.
- At the end of time: a hold that is on when regular time runs out is allowed to run until it scores ippon or is broken.
- In golden score: 5 seconds is yuko, and that ends the contest.
- At the edge: a hold started inside the contest area may carry on outside it.
- A hold round the head and neck alone, without one of the opponent's arms, is not valid: the referee calls "mate".
Tricky cases
The hold was broken after 12 seconds. Does it score?
Yes. Ten seconds or more, but under 20, is waza-ari.
Time ran out with a hold on at 8 seconds. Does the contest stop?
No. In regular time the contest is extended until the hold reaches ippon or is broken.
The athlete underneath wrapped their legs round the holder's leg. Is the hold still counting?
No. The holder's body and legs must be free of the opponent's legs. The referee calls "toketa".
Why the rule exists
Pinning someone on their back, unable to get up, shows control as surely as a throw does. Timing it puts a number on that control.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| IJF rules | As above | J 17; J 7; J 8 |
| Golden score | A hold wins at 5 seconds | J 13 |
From the rule book
International Judo Federation Sport and Organisation Rules, Refereeing Rules, Articles 5, 7, 8, 13 and 17. Version of 24 July 2026. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: IJF Sport and Organisation Rules (PDF).