Para judo words · Intermediate

The words that make the commentary make sense. They build on the beginner words.

I · Intermediate · 21 words · Step 2 of 2

General terms

IBSA Judo Rules

The amendment to the IJF rules for the 2025 to 2028 cycle (updated January 2025). It lists only the exceptions for visually impaired athletes, and the sections on hearing impaired athletes.

Spirit of the contest

In the spirit of Kodokan Judo, athletes on the competition area fight their opponent with both hands, with techniques appropriate to Kodokan Judo, with the aim of scoring ippon, and with a combative attitude and spirit.

IBSA referee

A referee who is an active IJF referee and has been qualified in the IBSA rules by the IBSA referee commission. For the IBSA World Championships and the Paralympic Games the referee must be qualified by the IBSA Judo Referee Commission with at least two current classifications. For the IBSA World Championships, joint IJF and IBSA events, the IBSA Grand Prix, the World Games and the Paralympic Games, referees are nominated by the IJF Referee commission together with the IBSA Referee commission.

Escort of J1 and J2 athletes

Only J1 athletes, or athletes who need special attention, are escorted by the referee, who bows with them and walks them straight to the starting position. A J2 athlete walks next to the referee without being held, unless escort is needed, when the referee can help.

Kumi-kata problems

Only when there is a grip problem, the referee instructs the athletes. First the white athlete takes the grip, then the blue athlete is told to take theirs. The order is reversed the next time before hajime. If an athlete changes the grip again, the referee cancels the kumi-kata and gives that athlete a shido.

Shido at the start

Can be given for changing the grip before hajime, avoiding gripping in the starting position, a bent posture or bowed head, an incorrect leg position, and changing the grip again after the referee's correction.

Restart from the starting position

After maté, the referee guides the athletes back to their starting positions, but only J1 athletes with a red circle and others who need or wish it. Hajime and penalties are always given from the starting position, for orientation. A fighter in ne-waza is allowed to stand up alone. At the end the referee announces the winner by colour, athletes bow, and J1 athletes are escorted to the edge of the area, not on the yellow line.

Grips

Breaking the grip

A shido is given to an athlete who deliberately breaks the kumi-kata without trying to make a correct one, or who pulls the arm backward so the opponent cannot take the sleeve.

Leg grabbing (IBSA judo)

The same system as the IJF, but the referee takes the visual impairment into account. Contact that is incidental to protect the body, or that happens because the athlete loses balance, is not penalised.

From groundwork to standing

If one or both athletes change from groundwork to a standing position, the referee calls maté.

Contest area and referee

Edge of the contest area (IBSA judo)

An athlete standing outside with both feet is outside. A J1 athlete usually cannot be penalised for going outside, but can be if he or she walks straight backward to the edge and steps out to escape the fight. J1, J2 and deaf athletes can be penalised if going outside is repeatedly used as a method. A J2 athlete who leaves the mat without action, intentionally, gets a shido. Referees should allow enough time to change direction at the edge.

Naming the colour

In addition to the usual sign and term for a score or penalty, the referee announces shiro (white) or ao (blue). The referee also announces osaekomi in the traditional way with the colour, and names the winner by colour.

Judogi adjustment

Athletes must adjust their judogi during maté, and coaches should advise them to do so. Referees know that an athlete cannot adjust while being escorted.

Coaching (IBSA judo)

The coach may advise the athlete throughout the fight, but only for orientation and safety. Only one coach may coach, from the coaching box. Constant shouting and cheering is not allowed. If the coach announces referee terms or makes comments to the referee or against the spirit of judo, the IJF procedure applies.

Athlete does not appear

After the first call, if one contestant is on the tatami, the call is repeated, and 30 seconds after the second call the athlete on the tatami wins by fusen-gachi.

Referee contact

The referee does not touch an athlete unless it is really necessary.

Hearing impaired athletes

Tap signals

The referee helps a deaf athlete bow by a slight pressure between the shoulders and stays close to announce rei. One tap on the shoulder blade announces hajime, and two taps announce maté.

Signs on the palm

The referee draws on the palm of the athlete's hand: I for ippon, W for waza-ari, Y for yuko, X to cancel a score or for a penalty, and H for hansoku-make. A first shido is a one-finger tap on the top of the hand and a second shido a two-finger tap. For a score the sign is turned toward the chest of the athlete who scored. The referee also draws a clockwise circle on the wrist at the start of the last minute.

Going outside (hearing impaired)

Hearing impaired athletes cannot hear jogai. If an athlete is both hearing impaired and J1, the referee usually must never give a shido for stepping out. For a hearing impaired athlete who goes outside immediately and repeatedly without attacking, the referee turns a closed hand in the palm of the athlete's hand as a warning that the next time brings a penalty. The sign for going outside is the standard shido sign with a vertical line drawn from wrist to fingers.

Telling the referee an athlete is deaf

It is the coach's responsibility to tell the referee that a fighter is deaf, by pointing at the ear when bringing the athlete to the mat side. If an athlete with a yellow circle is not completely deaf, the referee still makes all the usual gestures.