What happens if a blind judoka lets go of the grip?
I · Intermediate · During the fight · 2 of 4Visually impaired athletes must fight with both hands at all times. If an athlete loses one or both hands' grip, the referee calls maté at once. Breaking a two-hand grip must be followed directly by an attack, and a one-hand grip is allowed only with an immediate attack or regrip. Deliberately breaking the grip, or pulling the arm away, earns a shido.
How it works
- Both hands: at all times.
- Grip lost: maté immediately.
- Breaking a grip: must lead to an attack.
- One hand: only with an attack or regrip.
- Trying to grab: allowed if clear and immediate.
- Deliberate break: shido.
- Pulling the arm back: shido.
- Restart: with the starting grip.
The glossary has the grip with both hands, the breaking the grip, the spirit of the contest, the kumi-kata problems, the leg grabbing (IBSA judo) and the special attention for J1 athletes.
Tricky cases
An athlete lets go to throw. Penalty?
No, if the attack follows at once.
Both athletes lose the grip in a scramble. What happens?
Maté, and they restart gripped.
An athlete hides the sleeve behind the back. Penalty?
A shido.
Can an athlete hold one hand while reaching for the other grip?
Yes, if they visibly try to grab at once.
Why the rule exists
Contact through the grip is how a blind athlete knows where the opponent is. Losing it would turn the fight into a search.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Grip lost | Maté | 10 |
| One-hand grip | Only with an attack | 11 |
| Deliberate break | Shido | 11 |
From the rule book
IBSA, IBSA Judo Rules (amendment to the IJF rules, 2025 to 2028, January 2025), sections 10 and 11. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: IBSA Judo Rules, January 2025.