Origins and purpose 1882
Kodokan Judo is not concerned with contest results alone. Seiryoku zenyo and jita kyoei place efficient use of energy and mutual welfare at the centre of practice.
KODOKAN
KODOKAN JUDO
Technique, education and etiquette at the source
IJF JUDO
2026 RULES
Olympics, World Championships and World Judo Tour
One origin, two contest settings
The Kodokan established judo's technical, educational and etiquette foundations. The IJF sets the contest rules used today at the Olympic Games, World Championships and on the World Judo Tour. They are not rival forms of judo, but the same system expressed in different contest settings.
Origins · Kodokan
Kodokan Judo: the foundation beneath the rules
Jigoro Kano founded Kodokan Judo in 1882, bringing technique, randori, kata, etiquette and educational principles into one system. International contest rules still rest on Kodokan-recognised techniques and principles.
Where are Kodokan rules still used?
Traditional events such as Kodokan kohaku shiai, monthly contests and high-dan tournaments state when the Kodokan contest refereeing regulations apply.
Japanese events do not all use one rulebook
The AJJF's main domestic events use IJF rules. Kodokan rules mainly appear where a traditional or event-specific regulation expressly calls for them.
The event decides the format
Contest duration, decision thresholds and advancement formats vary by event. The 2026 Kodokan Osaka spring kohaku shiai, for example, uses three-minute contests.
Kata and randori
The Kodokan presents kata and randori as judo's two principal forms of practice. Kata preserves technical principles; randori applies them under changing conditions.
Which rules are used at the Olympics?
The Olympics, World Championships and World Judo Tour use IJF rules. From 1 April 2026, the AJJF's main domestic events also apply the updated IJF rules.
Global competition · 2026
Current IJF judo contest rules
The 2026 rules largely continue the 2025 framework, with a limited number of clarifications and safety adaptations. From the Ulaanbaatar Grand Slam, they remain fixed through the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
Ippon, waza-ari and yuko
Ippon ends the contest. Two waza-ari make ippon. Yuko is recorded cumulatively but does not add up to waza-ari.
IPPONWAZA-ARIYUKO
Contest time and golden score
Senior, junior and cadet championship contests last four minutes. A level contest moves into unlimited golden score until a technical score or hansoku-make decides it.
Hold-down times
An osaekomi lasting 5 to 9 seconds scores yuko, 10 to 19 seconds scores waza-ari, and 20 seconds scores ippon.
Shido and hansoku-make
The first two shido are warnings. A third becomes hansoku-make. A serious or dangerous infringement may also result in direct hansoku-make.
Leg-grab boundary
A judogi grip down to the top of the inner thigh is allowed. Directly gripping, hooking or touching the leg below that line, or gripping the trousers, is shido.
Gripping and attacking
With a standard grip, referees may allow up to about 45 seconds to prepare an attack when there is positive activity and progress. Non-standard grips require quicker attacking intent.
Rear triangle: chokes are allowed, dangerous neck pressure is not
From behind an opponent, the legs may form a triangle control to continue into a choke or armlock. However, an athlete must not immobilise the body and then squeeze or twist toward the head and neck in a way that puts the cervical spine at risk. That dangerous action results in hansoku-make.
Blue and white judogi
International contests use one white and one blue judogi so referees, spectators and broadcast viewers can distinguish the athletes clearly.
The event regulations always come firstAge groups, domestic events and organisers may publish supplementary rules. Competitors should read the event outline and the latest refereeing notice before competing.
Compare
How do Kodokan traditional contests and IJF rules differ?
The key difference is not tradition versus modern sport. It is the purpose and scope of each contest.
| Area | Kodokan traditional contests | IJF Rules 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Main use | Kodokan kohaku shiai, high-dan tournaments and specified traditional events | Olympics, World Championships, World Judo Tour and main AJJF domestic events |
| Contest time | Set by each event; some kohaku and high-dan contests use three minutes | Four minutes for senior, junior and cadet championships |
| How contests end | May include winner-stays-on formats, decision thresholds or promotion points | Ippon, two waza-ari, a score advantage at full time, or hansoku-make |
| Extra time | Whether it is used, and in what form, depends on the event | Unlimited golden score when regular time ends level |
| Core relationship | Preserves Kodokan technique, etiquette and training tradition | Builds a global competition standard on Kodokan-classified techniques |
The two settings share one origin. IJF scoring techniques still rest on the Kodokan system. Traditional events can shape their format around their purpose, while the IJF provides a consistent worldwide competition standard.
Questions
Common questions about judo rules
These answers refer mainly to the 2026 IJF rules. A local or traditional event may publish different supplementary regulations.
How long is a judo contest?
IJF senior, junior and cadet championship contests last four minutes. Kodokan traditional events may set another duration.
Can you grab the legs in judo?
Athletes may not directly grip, hook or touch the leg below the top of the inner thigh, or grip the trousers. A judogi grip down to the top of the inner thigh is allowed.
Do two yuko make waza-ari?
No. Yuko scores are recorded cumulatively but do not combine into waza-ari. Two waza-ari make ippon.
Is there a time limit in golden score?
No fixed limit applies. The contest continues until a technical score or a third shido resulting in hansoku-make decides the winner.
Official sources
Sources and update date
Information is current to July 2026. This page is an educational guide and does not replace referee training or the regulations of a particular event.