What is Judo?

Judo is a Japanese grappling martial art and Olympic sport where players try to pick up and throw each other onto their backs or pin, choke, or joint-lock their opponent on the ground. There is no kicking or striking, which is how judo is different from other martial arts like Taekwondo or karate.  

Judo was developed in 1882 by Dr. Jigoro Kano in Japan from jiujutsu techniques as a safe means of physical education and character development. The guiding principles of judo are "mutual benefit" and "maximum efficiency, minimum effort."

Hawaii High School Judo

Hawaii high school (HHS) judo plays by different rules than the rest of the world.

Two ways to win: Throw or Pin

The only ways to win in HHS judo is by throwing or pinning (holding the opponent's back to the mat). Pinning is also called "osaekomi," which is Japanese for "holding down".

Match length

Score Types

Ippon

An "ippon" is a full point. One full point ends the match. An ippon is scored by:

1. throwing the opponent flat on their back, OR 

2. by pinning the opponent's back to the mat for twenty (20) seconds, OR

3. the other person collecting three (3) penalties called shido, OR 

4. scoring two (2) half points. 

A referee shows that an ippon has been scored by raising their arm directly above their head and saying, "Ippon!"

Waza-ari

A waza-ari is a half point. Two half points add to a full point (ippon) and end the match. A waza-ari can be scored by:

1. throwing the opponent on their side or partially on their back OR

2. pinning the opponent for 15 to 19 seconds. 

A referee shows that a waza-ari has been scored by holding their arm out directly to the side at shoulder level and saying, "Waza-ari!"

Waza-ari awasete (ah- wah- seh- teh) ippon

Any two waza-ari scores will add to become an ippon. "Waza-ari awasete ippon" in Japanese means "waza-ari combined or adding up to ippon". This means that a match can be won by:

1. two throwing techniques, OR

2. two pins, OR

3. a throw and then a pin, OR

4. a pin and then a throw. 

A referee shows that waza-ari awasete ippon by holding their arm out to their side at shoulder level for the waza-ari score, then immediately bringing their arm in front of their body, raising it above their head, and saying "Waza-ari awasete ippon!"

Yuko

A yuko is sometimes called a quarter-point, and it is a tie-breaking score. Yuko will never add to a waza-ari and an unlimited number can be scored during a match. A yuko can be scored by:

1. throwing the opponent kind of on their side by not fully on their stomach, OR

2. pinning the opponent for 10 to 14 seconds.

A referee shows that a yuko has been scored by holding their arm out to the side at downward 45 degree angle and saying, "Yuko!"

Shido (Penalty)

A shido is a penalty and can be received for a number of reasons. Receiving three (3) penalties will result in a loss by disqualification (hansoku make). 

Common reasons for receiving a shido include but are not limited to:

• not taking a grip

• not attacking (stalling)

• stepping out of bounds 

• using illegal grips

• grabbing below the belt during tachiwaza (standing fighting)

• fixing hair more than once during a match

• falling on the ground with properly using a throwing technique first

What counts as...?