Judo competition is conducted almost entirely in Japanese terminology — every score, every referee command, every technique category, and every positional concept is named in Japanese, and these names appear in broadcasts, commentary, and official results without translation. This glossary covers the terms a fan encounters most frequently when watching IJF World Tour events, from the referee commands that open and close every match to the specific names of the scoring calls, penalties, technique classifications, and training concepts that define the sport.
- Ippon (一本) ends the match immediately — a perfect throw, 20-second hold-down, or submission by tap; the most decisive outcome in judo
- Waza-ari (技あり) is a half-point; two waza-ari equals ippon and ends the match
- Shido (指導) is a minor penalty; three shidos equals hansoku-make (direct disqualification); in golden score, one shido immediately loses the match
- Nage-waza (投げ技) are throwing techniques; katame-waza (固め技) are grappling techniques (holds, chokes, joint locks)
- Referee commands: hajime (begin), matte (stop), osaekomi (hold-down started), toketa (hold-down broken), sono-mama (freeze), yoshi (resume)
Scoring and Penalty Terms
Ippon (一本) — The highest score in judo, awarded for: a throw that lands the opponent cleanly on their back with force, speed, and control; a hold-down maintained for 20 seconds; or a submission (tap-out from a choke or armlock). Ippon ends the match immediately at any point. The literal meaning is “one point,” but contextually it functions as “match over.” Understanding ippon in detail explains the specific criteria referees apply.
Waza-ari (技あり) — A half-point score, awarded for throws that meet most but not all ippon criteria (e.g., landing on the side rather than the back), or for hold-downs of 10 seconds. Two waza-ari in the same match equals ippon and ends the contest. A single waza-ari at the final whistle, unmatched by the opponent, wins the match.
Yuko (有効) — Historically a third scoring level below waza-ari; removed from the standard rules in 2010. Reinstated in a modified form under 2025 rule updates specifically for ne-waza (groundwork): awarded for a hold-down of 5 seconds. Does not appear in the standing technique scoring system.
Shido (指導) — A minor penalty for passive behavior (failing to attack for approximately 5 seconds, defensive posture, false attacks) or gripping violations. Three shidos in a match equals hansoku-make. In golden score, the first shido given to either athlete ends the match. The literal meaning is “guidance” or “instruction.”
Hansoku-make (反則負け) — Disqualification. Awarded directly for serious rule violations (dangerous techniques, unsportsmanlike conduct) or indirectly after three accumulated shidos. Direct hansoku-make expels the athlete from the tournament entirely; indirect (three-shido) hansoku-make is a match loss but the athlete remains eligible for repechage.
Koka (効果) — A former scoring level below waza-ari (and above yuko), abolished in 2003. No longer used in any current competition context.
Referee Commands and Match Control Terms
Hajime (始め) — “Begin.” The referee’s command to start or restart a match from standing.
Matte (待て) — “Stop.” Stops the action and returns athletes to starting positions in the center of the mat. Called when athletes leave the contest area, when ne-waza stalls without progress, when an injury occurs, or when gripping violations need to be addressed.
Osaekomi (抑え込み) — “Hold-down.” The referee’s call when a valid hold-down is established in ne-waza. The timing clock starts with this call. Combined with the time called (e.g., “osaekomi… waza-ari” at 10 seconds, or “osaekomi… ippon” at 20 seconds).
Toketa (解けた) — “Broken.” Called when the hold-down is broken or escaped, stopping the osaekomi clock.
Sono-mama (そのまま) — “Freeze.” Stops action without resetting positions — athletes hold their current position. Typically called when an injury assessment is needed or a brief interruption occurs while on the ground.
Yoshi (よし) — “Continue.” Restarts action from the frozen sono-mama position.
Sore-made (それまで) — “That is all.” The match is over — called at the end of the regulation period or after any match-ending score.
Technique Categories and Training Terms
Nage-waza (投げ技) — “Throwing techniques.” The entire category of standing throws and sacrifice throws. Subdivided into tachi-waza (standing techniques) and sutemi-waza (sacrifice techniques). The Kodokan classifies 68 throwing techniques in its formal system. Well-known examples include o-soto-gari (major outer reap), uchi-mata (inner thigh throw), seoi-nage (shoulder throw), o-goshi (major hip throw), and tai-otoshi (body drop).
Katame-waza (固め技) — “Grappling techniques.” All groundwork techniques, subdivided into: osaekomi-waza (hold-down techniques), shime-waza (choke/strangulation techniques), and kansetsu-waza (joint lock techniques). The Kodokan classifies 32 katame-waza techniques. Well-known examples include kesa-gatame (scarf hold), juji-gatame (cross arm-lock), and hadaka-jime (rear naked choke).
Ne-waza (寝技) — “Groundwork.” All technique and combat that occurs on the ground, as opposed to standing (tachi). Ne-waza randori is groundwork sparring; ne-waza scoring rules (osaekomi timing) differ from standing scoring.
Tachi-waza (立ち技) — “Standing techniques.” Techniques executed while both athletes are standing. The dominant domain of elite judo competition; most matches are decided by standing throws or by shido accumulation during the standing grip-fighting phase.
Uchi-komi (打ち込み) — Repetitive entry drilling for throws — the athlete enters the throw position repeatedly without completing the throw. The foundation of technical drilling in judo training.
Randori (乱取り) — Free practice sparring against a resisting partner. The central training method in judo. Randori vs. competition explains how the two differ in intent and intensity.
Kata (形) — Formal prearranged sequences of techniques performed with a partner in a prescribed pattern. Kata preserves traditional techniques, tests understanding, and is required at many grading examinations.
Shiai (試合) — Competition. A tournament match as distinct from randori practice.
Ukemi (受け身) — Breakfall techniques — the practiced art of landing safely when thrown. The foundation of judo safety; all beginners learn ukemi before any throwing technique.
Roles, Places, and Equipment Terms
Judoka (柔道家) — A practitioner of judo. The person competing or training.
Tori (取り) — The person executing the technique in a drill or demonstration. The “giver.”
Uke (受け) — The person receiving the technique — being thrown, held, or submitted — in a drill or demonstration. The “receiver.”
Sensei (先生) — Instructor or teacher. Used to address the coach or senior instructor at a dojo.
Dojo (道場) — Training hall. The facility where judo is practiced.
Tatami (畳) — The mat surface used for judo training and competition. In IJF competition, the official contest area (shiaijo) is a specific size tatami surface with a designated safe area (danger zone) around the competition area.
Judogi (柔道着) — The judo uniform: jacket (uwagi), trousers (zubon), and belt (obi). At IJF competition, judogi must carry the official approval label. IJF judogi specifications cover fabric weight, collar dimensions, and color requirements.
Obi (帯) — Belt. The belt color indicates grade level: white through brown for kyu grades, black for 1st–5th dan, red-and-white (kōhaku-obi) for 6th–8th dan, red for 9th–10th dan.
Kodokan (講道館) — The original judo school founded by Jigoro Kano in Tokyo in 1882, which remains the world’s primary judo institution. “Kodokan” translates as “a place for studying the way.” The Kodokan’s technical classifications (67 nage-waza, 32 katame-waza) are the reference standard for judo technique globally.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “ippon” mean in judo?
Ippon (一本) means “one point” but functions as “match over” in judo. It is the highest score, awarded for a perfect throw (landing the opponent fully on their back with force and control), a 20-second hold-down, or a submission (tap-out from a choke or armlock). An ippon ends the match immediately at any point, regardless of time remaining or prior scores.
What does “matte” mean in judo?
Matte (待て) means “stop” or “wait.” The referee calls matte to pause the contest and return athletes to standing positions in the center of the mat. It resets the contest — unlike sono-mama, which freezes athletes in their current position. Matte is called after a throw attempt, when athletes leave the contest area, when ne-waza stalls, or when a grip violation requires a restart.
What is osaekomi in judo?
Osaekomi (抑え込み) is the referee’s call indicating that a valid hold-down is in progress in ne-waza. The osaekomi clock starts with this call. If the hold is maintained for 10 seconds, waza-ari is awarded; 20 seconds earns ippon and ends the match. The hold-down is broken when the athlete underneath escapes or reverses, at which point the referee calls toketa (broken) and the clock stops.
What is nage-waza in judo?
Nage-waza (投げ技) is the complete category of throwing techniques in judo. It is divided into tachi-waza (standing throws) — further subdivided into te-waza (hand techniques), koshi-waza (hip techniques), and ashi-waza (foot/leg techniques) — and sutemi-waza (sacrifice throws), where the throwing athlete deliberately falls to complete the technique. The Kodokan formally classifies 67 nage-waza techniques.
What is the difference between shime-waza and kansetsu-waza?
Both are categories of katame-waza (groundwork techniques). Shime-waza (絞め技) are strangulation or choke techniques that restrict blood flow or air to produce a tap-out or loss of consciousness. Kansetsu-waza (関節技) are joint lock techniques — in standard competition, restricted to armlocks (specifically hyperextension of the elbow joint). Leg locks and other joint attacks are not permitted in standard IJF competition.