Australian Kodokan Judo Association
Rules for Masters Divisions
The Australian Kodokan Judo Association (AKJA) supports and encourages the involvement of participants in "Masters Age" divisions for contest in both Shiai (full contact judo competition) and Kata (demonstration of forms) tournaments.
Whilst International Judo Federation (IJF) rules are utilised at all AKJA and affiliate member governed Shiai tournaments, some rule modifications have been made by the AKJA to be adapted and utilised at tournaments with Masters Age divisions. They are identified in the following sections.
1. Age Divisions & Contest Times:
* Natural birth dates apply as at the day of the contest.
* Because the Masters Divisions are age specific, proof of age
is required.
* Photographic identification should be produced at the time of
tournament registration or weigh in. Persons unable to
provide photographic identification will need to provide two
(2) other forms of suitable identification.
AGE DIVISIONS CONTEST TIMES
25 - 29yrs 5 Minutes - Stop/Start
30 - 34yrs 4 Minutes - Stop/Start
35 - 39yrs 3 Minutes - Stop/Start
40 - 44yrs 3 Minutes continuous
45 - 49yrs 3 Minutes continuous
50 - 54yrs 3 Minutes continuous
55 - 59yrs 3 Minutes continuous
60yrs & Over 3 Minutes continuous
Where contests are governed by 3 minute continuous time, the time clock will run continuously unless directed by the centre referee for it to be stopped. Circumstances may exist where it is necessary to stop the clock and the call to do so is at the discretion of the centre referee and should occur in cases where a long delay may be expected eg; re-tying the belt or injury/medical treatment.
2. Weight Divisions:
Normal IJF weight groups will be utilised in the age groups up to and including U40 years. In age groups over 40 years, there will be a maximum of four (4) set weight groups. Application of all Masters weight groups will be dependent on participant numbers.
25 - 39yr age divisions:
MALE
U66kg
U73kg
U81kg
U90kg
U100kg
100kg & Over
FEMALE
U52kg
U57kg
U63kg
U70kg
U78kg
78kg & Over
40yrs and over
MALE
U73kg
U81kg
U90kg
Over 90kg
FEMALE
U57kg
U63kg
U70kg
Over 70kg
3. Injuries:
Should an injury occur, IJF rules will be followed. However some common-sense modifications have been included and are as follows:
The Medical/First Aid Officer may recommend to the Referee Commission that a competitor be excluded from further tournament participation if they have received or are suffering from concussion or injury deemed by that Medical Officer to be detrimental to the competitor's health.
Where any player is rendered unconscious, they will not be allowed to continue in the tournament unless given a written clearance by a medical officer. All players rendered unconscious should be conveyed to a hospital or medical centre ASAP after the incident. Eg: Player blacks out as a result of a choke/strangle technique.
The advice of the Medical Officer shall be accepted by the Referee`s Commission and the player excluded from further participation until declared fit to resume competition by a Legally Qualified Medical Practitioner.
4. Judo Gi's:
To limit the cost incurred by players only white Judo Gi's will be worn at the tournament. Red and White belts/sashes will be provided for use.
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Australian Kodokan Judo Association
Rules for Vision Impaired Masters
The Australian Kodokan Judo Association (AKJA) supports and encourages the involvement of participants in "Masters Age" divisions for contest in both Shiai (full contact judo competition) and Kata (demonstration of forms) tournaments.
Whilst International Judo Federation (IJF) rules are utilised at all AKJA and affiliate member governed Shiai tournaments, International Blind Sports Association rules will also be adopted. Some of these rules have collectively been modified by the AKJA to be adapted and utilised at tournaments with Vision Impaired players in Masters Age divisions. They are identified in the following sections.
1. QUALIFICATION FOR COMPETITIONS
1.1 IBSA has established the following categories for qualification:
* B1 = From perception of light in either eye to the perception of light, but without the ability to recognize the shape of a hand at any distance or in any direction.
* B2 = From the ability to recognize the shape of a hand to a visual acuity of 2/60 and/or a visual field of less than 5 degrees.
* B3 = From a visual acuity above 2/60 up to visual acuity of 6/60 and/or a visual field of more than 5 degrees and less than 20 degrees.
All classifications are based on both eyes, with the aid of the best corrective lenses, e.g., all athletes who wear contact lenses or eyeglasses should be wearing the said eyewear when tested (if they intend to make use of them while competing). Some competitors in the vision impaired divisions may also be deaf and will be accepted also.
1.2 Visual groups B1, B2 & B3 will compete together.
1.3 Blind contestants must provide documentary proof of vision impairment as per the rules of the International Blind Sports Association. Where participants have an IBSA Eye Classification Card, this will suffice.
* Certificate of Fitness may be required prior to competition commencement.
* Warning, Waiver & Release form will have to be signed by all participants.
2. AGE DIVISIONS & CONTEST TIMES:
Vision impaired categories will utilise the same Masters Age divisions and contest times as those used for the sighted contests.
* Natural birth dates apply as at the day of the contest.
* Because the Masters Divisions are age specific, proof of age is required.
* Photographic identification should be produced at the time of tournament registration or weigh in. Persons unable to provide photographic identification will need to provide two (2) other forms of suitable identification.
AGE DIVISIONS CONTEST TIMES
25 - 29yrs 5 Minutes - Stop/Start
30 - 34yrs 4 Minutes - Stop/Start
35 - 39yrs 3 Minutes - Stop/Start
40 - 44yrs 3 Minutes continuous
34 - 49yrs 3 Minutes continuous
50 - 54yrs 3 Minutes continuous
55 - 59yrs 3 Minutes continuous
60yrs & Over 3 Minutes continuous
Where contests are governed by 3 minute continuous time, the time clock will run continuously unless directed by the centre referee for it to be stopped. Circumstances may exist where it is necessary to stop the clock and the call to do so is at the discretion of the centre referee and should occur in cases where a long delay may be expected eg; re-tying the belt or injury/medical treatment.
3. WEIGHT DIVISIONS:
Normal IJF weight groups will be utilised in the age groups up to and including U40 years. In age groups over 40 years, there will be a maximum of four (4) set weight groups. Application of all Masters weight groups will be dependent on participant numbers.
MALE FEMALE
U66kg U52kg
66-U73kg 52-U57kg
73-U81kg 57-U63kg
81-U90kg 63-U70kg
90-U100kg 70-U78kg
100kg & Over 78kg & Over
MALE FEMALE
U73kg U57kg
U81kg U63kg
U90kg U70kg
Over 90kg Over 70kg
4. INJURIES:
Should an injury occur, IJF rules will be followed. However some common-sense modifications have been included and are as follows:
The Medical/First Aid Officer may recommend to the Referee Commission that a competitor be excluded from further tournament participation if they have received or are suffering from concussion or injury deemed by that Medical Officer to be detrimental to the competitor's health.
Where any player is rendered unconscious, they will not be allowed to continue in the tournament unless given a written clearance by a medical officer. All players rendered unconscious should be conveyed to a hospital or medical centre ASAP after the incident. Eg: Player blacks out as a result of a choke/strangle technique.
The advice of the Medical Officer shall be accepted by the Referee`s Commission and the player excluded from further participation until declared fit to resume competition by a Legally Qualified Medical Practitioner.
5. JUDO GI'S:
5.1 To limit the cost incurred by players only white judo-gi's will be worn at the tournament. Red and White belts/sashes will be provided for use.
5.2 All athletes being classified as B1 should have a red circle (having a diameter of 7cm) affixed to the outer part of both sleeves. The centre of the circle should be positioned at about 15cm from the shoulder.
5.3 Where a participant is also deaf, a small blue circle having a diameter of 7cm will be attached to the centre of the back of the judo-gi. Where the player has a bib affixed, the marker will be affixed in the upper right hand corner of the bib. This is in order for the officials to apply the rules according to the special circumstances.
6. ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS OF THE JUDGES:
6.1 Both judges should lead the two athletes from the edge of the tatami to their assigned positions within the contest area, and have both face each other. The judges will then return to their respective positions.
6.2 At the end of the contest, and after the referee has declared the winner and the athletes have given the customary bow, the two judges will accompany the athletes to the edge of the tatami where an assistant from the organisation will then take charge of them.
6.3 Where a player is also deaf;
The judge will assist by bending the chest forward for the initial & final bows.
7. SIGNS & SIGNALS:
7.1 Awarding of Score:
Each time the referee assigns a score or penalty, in addition to the conventional sign and term used, he should also announce the respective colour of the player eg; red or white.
Where the player is also deaf:
The referee shall trace the initial representing the advantage in the palm of the athlete's hand: K for koka, Y for yuko, W for waza ari, I for ippon and:
* Where a deaf player is awarded the score, the referee shall turn the palm of the hand towards the players chest.
* Where the score is awarded against a deaf player, the referee shall turn the palm of the hand towards the opponent.
7.2 Invalid/Changed Decision:
In addition to making the conventional sign to indicate the invalidation of an opinion expressed, the referee should also announce (red or white) which athlete has lost the advantage.
If the athlete is also deaf, the referee will trace a large X on the palm of the athlete's hand and then repeat the process as outlined in section 7.1 with the corrected decision.
7.3 End of Contest Decision:
In addition to declaring the winner of the competition in the usual fashion, the colour of the winning player will also be announced; eg: Red or White.
7.4 Adjust Judo Gi:
In order to indicate to the athletes that they must adjust their judo-gis, the referee will take hold of their forearms, crossing them in such a way that they know what must be done.
7.5 Sit/Kneel Down:
In order to indicate to the athletes that they may sit down with crossed legs at the starting position, the referee will place the palm of his hand on the shoulder and give a slight downward pressure.
7.6 Non Combativity:
To indicate a penalty for non-combativity, the referee will make the appropriate sign, and then approach the athlete in question and request him to extend his arm with his palm face down. The referee will rotate his index finger under the palm of the hand in a circular motion. The referee will then announce the penalty.
8. PENALTIES:
8.1 Normal penalties as set in Article 27 of the IJF Referee Rules (as up-dated) apply. However two (2) modifications have been created to safeguard B1 (totally blind) competitors from B2 & B3 (partially sighted) competitors. They are as follows:
Where a player maintains a one handed grip without attacking for more than 5 seconds. - Shido Penalty
Where a player steps out of the contest area (B2 & B3). There is no penalty for a player from a B1 group stepping out. - Shido Penalty
8.2 Awarding of Penalties:
Penalties are awarded in the normal manner and in accordance with the IJF rules however:
SHIDO
Where the player is also deaf:
The referee will carry out the same operation but also tap the top of the athlete's hand with:
* one finger (in the case of 1st shido);
* two fingers (in the case of 2nd shido);
* three fingers (in the case of 3rd shido).
Where the player is deaf and the penalty is assigned to the opponent:
The referee will carry out the same operation and trace the gained advantage on the palm of the athlete's hand as per section 7.1.
HANSOKU MAKE
Where a player is to be penalised Hansoku Make and one or both of the players is also deaf, the referee will trace the letter H in the palm of the players hand.
This system occurs to all penalties given.
9. COMMENCEMENT OF COMBAT:
9.1 After the judges have led the players to their respective positions and the judges have returned to their seats, the referee will announce rei. The players then bow to each other. The referee will then have them raise their arms for the kumi kata (standard grip - one hand on the lapel and one hand on the sleeve). Players are required to stand square on with each other when taking grip before given the command of hajime.
9.2 Where a player is also deaf;
* The judge will assist by bending the chest forward for the initial bow. The referee will raise the players arms up for the kumi kata (grip) and when announcing hajime (start) will tap the deaf player once on the shoulder blade.
9.3 The two athletes are not allowed to move until hajime (start) has been announced. The referee must be satisfied that neither player gains any advantage prior to commencing the contest.
10. MATTE
When the referee announces matte (stop), he should be careful not to lose sight of the athletes, staying close to them at all times. He should accompany them to the centre at their starting positions (if he regards it as necessary), have them make the kumi kata (grip) and announce hajime (start) to begin again.
In the case of an athlete who is also deaf, when the referee announces matte (stop) he should also tap the player twice on the shoulder blades and carry out the steps listed in section 8.
This process will be repeated each time the referee announces: matte (stop).
11. SONO MAMA
The IJF rules outline the procedures relating to sono mama however in the case of an athlete who is also deaf, the referee should quickly tap him on his head when initially calling sono mama. When the referee announces that the contest can continue, the referee will call yoshi and should quickly tap the players head with his hand again.
Prepared by D.GORDGE for the Australian Kodokan Judo Association and the Kodokan Judo Association (S.A.)
October 2004
