Reference

Scoring & Competition

Words heard around a match.

Shiai: Judo match or contest
Shiai is the competition side of Judo. This curriculum focuses on the main calls and broad match ideas.
Competition area: Full competition space
The competition area is the full matted space used for a contest, including contest and safety areas.
Contest area: Main contest space
The contest area is the main area where the match action takes place.
Safety area: Safety border
The safety area surrounds the contest area and gives extra space when action moves toward the edge.
Free zone: Clear space around the mat
The free zone is the clear space around the competition area.
Ippon: Full point
Ippon usually ends the match. It can come from a strong throw, a hold-down, a submission, or accumulated scores.
Waza-ari: Almost ippon
Waza-ari is a major score that is not quite ippon. Two waza-ari scores combine to end the match.
Yuko: Small score
Yuko is a smaller score below waza-ari. A judoka can earn several yuko in a match, but they never combine into waza-ari or ippon.
Waza-ari awasete ippon: Two waza-ari combine to ippon
Waza-ari awasete ippon is called when a judoka earns a second waza-ari in the same match. The two scores combine into a match-ending ippon.
Osaekomi: Hold-down is on
Osaekomi is called when one judoka pins the other with control. The hold can score if control continues long enough.
Toketa: Hold-down is broken
Toketa is called when an osaekomi hold-down is no longer controlled. It means the hold has been broken.
Shido: Penalty
Shido is a penalty for rule violations or negative play. Referees use it to keep matches active and fair.
Hansoku-make: Disqualification
Hansoku-make is a disqualification for a serious rule violation or accumulated penalties. It is the strongest penalty call.

Judo Glossary