How do deaf judoka hear the referee?
A · Advanced · During the fight · 2 of 2Deaf athletes wear a 7 cm yellow circle on the back. The referee taps the shoulder blade once for hajime and twice for maté, and draws on the palm: I for ippon, W for waza-ari, Y for yuko, X to cancel or penalise, H for hansoku-make. A wrist circle marks the last minute. The coach tells the referee the athlete is deaf.
How it works
- Yellow circle: 7 cm on the back number.
- Hajime: one tap on the shoulder blade.
- Maté: two taps.
- Scores: letters drawn on the palm.
- Shido: finger taps on the back of the hand.
- Last minute: a clockwise circle on the wrist.
- Going outside: a closed hand turned in the palm as a warning.
- Coach: points at the ear to tell the referee.
The glossary has the yellow circle, the tap signals, the signs on the palm, the going outside (hearing impaired), the telling the referee an athlete is deaf and the naming the colour.
Tricky cases
A deaf J1 athlete steps out. Shido?
Usually never.
How does the referee show a second shido?
A two-finger tap on the top of the hand.
The athlete has a yellow circle but some hearing. What changes?
The referee still makes all the usual gestures too.
Who tells the referee?
The coach, by pointing at the ear.
Why the rule exists
Touch replaces sound for deaf athletes, as voice replaces sight for blind ones. Both get the same information as everyone else.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Deaf | Taps and palm signs | 25, 26 |
| Deaf and J1 | Both circles | 24 |
| Not fully deaf | Usual gestures too | 27 |
From the rule book
IBSA, IBSA Judo Rules (amendment to the IJF rules, 2025 to 2028, January 2025), sections 24 to 27. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: IBSA Judo Rules, January 2025.