When does a judo fight go to the ground?
I · Intermediate · The contest · 3 of 9Judo is fought standing, in tachi-waza, and on the ground, in ne-waza. A fight may go to the ground only out of a real attack or counter-attack, not by dragging the opponent down. Once there, it continues while there is progress. When progress stops, the referee calls "mate" and stands them up.
How it works
- What counts as the ground: both athletes with two knees on the mat, or an athlete lying on the stomach.
- Getting there: after a throw that scored less than ippon, or scored nothing, either athlete may carry on into ground work without a break. An athlete may also follow an opponent who falls or stumbles.
- Dragging down: pulling the opponent to the ground without a technique is a shido, unless the opponent takes advantage and goes on the attack there.
- On the ground the aim is a hold-down, a strangle or an armlock.
- "Mate" is called when there is no evident progress, and the athletes restart standing.
- Back to standing: athletes may get up from the ground and continue if the situation is not dangerous.
- Lifting: if an athlete stands and lifts clear of the mat an opponent who is on their back with legs wrapped round, the referee calls "mate".
- A kneeling defender may not grab the legs of a standing attacker to block a throw. That is a shido.
- Grabbing a leg is allowed only when both athletes are plainly in ground work and the standing action has stopped.
Tricky cases
Can an athlete sit down and pull the opponent on top to start ground work?
No. Pulling the opponent down without a real attack is a shido, unless the opponent chooses to continue on the ground.
How long are athletes allowed to stay on the ground?
The rules set no time. The test is "evident progress". Without it, the referee stands them up.
Why the rule exists
Throwing is the centre of judo, so the rules let ground work grow only out of an attempt to throw. The quick "mate" keeps a contest from turning into a slow grapple on the mat.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| IJF rules | As above | J 10; J 11 |
From the rule book
International Judo Federation Sport and Organisation Rules, Refereeing Rules, Articles 10, 11, 18.1.1 and 18.1.2. Version of 24 July 2026. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: IJF Sport and Organisation Rules (PDF).