1. 2012 Phoenix Seminar Clarifications

2. 1. Leg Grabbing
Please go through the Ashi Dori Waza (Leg Grabbing) DVD (60 examples) again and settle once and for all in each case presented whether it should be allowed to continue or penalized with Hansoku Make.
Please provide commentary (rationale as to why the decision was made). Also of great value is if there is a split vote, what the numbers are (for or against (Legal or Hansoku make)).
I know this is being applied very differently in every region of the Country. Some are too lenient and some are too strict. This is a major issue due to the fact that it is Hansoku make.

3. 1. Leg Grabbing (continued)
A: There was not enough time during this seminar to go over each of the 60 examples and provide commentary on the decisions as requested. However, the current interpretations of some of the influencing factors which allow grabbing the leg during a throwing technique without incurring a penalty were discussed. As long as the initial attack is “real” (balance broken, etc.) the leg can be grabbed during either a combination or counter, as long as the actions are continuous. The other major factor discussed was when there is a “cross grip”. The opponent may grab the leg to attack when a player has a cross grip (or is in the process of obtaining a cross grip). This includes the time a player’s hand passes through the vertical plane of the opponent’s body (or arm) on the opposite side of his opponent’s body from where a standard grip would be taken.

4. 2. Cross Back Grip
Q: This cross back grip and having to attack “Immediately”. What is immediately? Many have settled on a two-three second window for the attack to occur. To expect someone to attack simultaneously with the grip is not logical if one knows Judo. We know the history of IJFs simultaneous to mean 2-3 seconds A: Although a specified number of seconds have not been identified, the above suggestions seem reasonable as a general guide.

5. 3. Dynamic vs Passive Players and Penalties
Another major concern is the application of penalties.
Q: At what events do we apply the IJF “Active” or “Professional” player exception versus applying the penalties to both contestants in a fair, consistent and clear manner. This is also crucial with a wide difference in application. A: The rules should be applied in a “fair, consistent and clear manner” at all events. The issue here is that when a competitor wants to fight and is being dynamic, let the player play. If, on the other hand, a competitor does not want to fight and is being defensive, that player should be encouraged to become dynamic through the awarding of appropriate penalties and, if he/she does not become dynamic, should lose the match by penalties.

6. 4. Judogi Control
Q: We stress this with the new Sokuteiki, but as time passes, the allowable parameters begin to degrade. I see so many cases of players with the pants 4 inches above the ankle and sleeves 3-4 inches above the wrist and still no one notices it. What is that all about? Don’t gloss over this. WHY? Is there rationale? IT IS NOT FAIR!!! A: If the jacket or pants are that short the player should not be allowed to compete. The referee and judges should scan the players as they come onto the mat and if it is fairly obvious the gi does not meet the requirements, the referee should take the player to the side of the mat where the sokuteki is and measure the area(s) of the gi that appear not to comply.

7. 4. Judogi Control (continued)
Once it is verified that any part of the gi does not meet regulations, measurements should cease and the player should then be brought back onto the contest area, the referee and judges confer and the player should then be awarded Hansoku Make. [Note: although not required, it is suggested (at domestic events) that officials off the mat remind players (who appear to be wearing a gi that is not in compliance with the rules) to check their gis prior to going out onto the mat. It is still the player’s responsibility to wear a proper gi.]

8. 5. Scoring Issues
Q: What are the threshold parameters for Yuko? I am still seeing certain Koka landings being called Yuko. A: Must be on the side. If arm is between the side and the mat it must be fully collapsed for Yuko to be scored, otherwise there is no score.
Q: I continue to see in the U.S. landing to the side front being called Yuko. The IJF seems to be quite clear on this that any lean to the front is the front. Or am I mistaken? Most of the latest World Flashes and Keys support this. A: Correct, if there is no part of the side perpendicular to the mat (i.e. the entire side is tilted, even slightly, toward the front, there should be no score)
Q: I am seeing at the IJF level a disturbing trend of hardening the scores to the point where Waza-aris are being called Yuko. This is most distressing. A: Actually the opposite has been observed, with one exception. When a player is thrown across the top of the shoulders with only a small portion of the upper back contacting the mat, this is now being called Yuko, whereas in the past it usually would have been called Waza-ari and in some cases possibly Ippon.

9. 6. Standing Armlocks and Standing Chokes
Please settle the issue with regard to Article 17 h
(h) When a contestant performs or attempts to perform Kansetsu-waza or Shime-waza from the standing position and the result is not sufficiently apparent.
Q: What does this mean? It was my understanding that if an armlock or choke was started standing, the doer had to take it to the ground or uke had to submit within 3-4 seconds. If not, then Mate would be called. No penalty. I have heard from International Referees, you can go for 10 seconds, some 15 seconds. What is the answer? A: 3-4 seconds seems reasonable unless there is significant effect (player starting to pass out, tap, etc.). Ten to fifteen seconds is definitely too long.

10. 7. Shime Waza – Bottom of Jacket
Please settle the issue with regard to Article 26.17
17) To apply Shime-waza using the bottom of the jacket or belt, or using only the fingers.
Q: “bottom of the jacket” what specifically do they mean? The actual bottom edge of the jacket or any edge of the skirt of the jacket below the belt? A: Any part of the jacket below the belt.
The belt and fingers issues I believe are clear.

11. Shime Waza – Bottom of Jacket (P2)
However, the skirt of the jacket has two edges one is the bottom edge(horizontal) of the jacket. The other edge is the lapel edge, that edge of the jacket running vertically which is made of the same materials as the upper lapel.
Most if not all can interpret that the bottom (horizontal) edge would not be allowed to choke.
Q: However, can a choke be executed using the vertical edge of the lower lapel (that part of the jacket below the belt, even though it need not be in the belt at the time of its use in shime waza? A: No.
Some if not most believe any part of jacket skirt (either edge bottom or side) is not allowed to be used to directly choke.

12. 8. White on the Right?
The main concern is what scoreboards are being used. The cost factor in changing boards. I just came back from a tournament with eight competition areas. Each had an electronic scoreboard ($ each) (That is $ total) with a vertical layout (Blue on top white underneath blue and then the contest Time/Osaekomi time). Technically these boards are “now” wrong because white is suppose to be on top.
Q: What about manual boards with blue on the right? What about electronic boards (horizontal type) with blue on the right? What about computer software boards with blue on the left? Most of which no not have the option to switch. Is USA Judo going to buy Tournament Directors new Scoreboards? Local Tournament Directors will not pay out such expenses until the life of the boards they have are at an end.

13. 8. White on the Right? (continued)
A:  Having the "white player called first and stand to the right of the referee“ has been approved by USA Judo for immediate implementation at all domestic events.  [NOTE:  The change of colors on the scoreboards (blue to white and white to blue) is included in this change.  If the particular scoreboards to be used at an event can be easily changed, they should be changed now.  If the scoreboards cannot be changed easily, and it would create a hardship on the event organizers, the scoreboards may be used in their current configuration (this is judged to be better than not using electronic scoreboards), especially at events that are scheduled to occur in the near future. 

14. 8. White on the Right? (continued)
The scoreboards should be modified as soon as possible without creating a crisis.  For those events that use scoreboards that have not yet been changed, the following procedures should be used: a) all other actions required to having the white player called first and stand to the right of the referee (e.g.seeding, etc.) should be implemented; b) scores should be put on the scoreboard according to color (white or blue) and the location of white and blue on the scoreboard (left or right or top or bottom) should be ignored.]

15. 9. White and Blue tapes
The White and Blue tapes (marks) are no longer being placed on the tatami at International Championships.
Q: Shall we follow the IJF? Recommend to continue using marks especially for children. If we do not, then referees will spend half their time directing the kids where to stand. A: Eliminating the blue and white tape, which has in the past been used to indicate the starting positions for the players, has been approved by USA Judo for immediate implementation at all domestic events.  [Note: As long as the players are in the proximity of where the tapes used to be, hajime may be called.  This eliminates the need to direct the

16. 9. White and Blue tapes (continued)
players to make small adjustments (often only a couple of inches could mean the player was on or in front of the tape when they were supposed to be behind the tape) to their position on the mat.  Such adjustments were distracting and non-consequential to the contest.]

17. 10. “Special Situations NOT resolved”.
Some of these may have been voted upon however they are not published anywhere and seem to be disseminated ONLY by word of mouth. Not the best way to inform everyone (coaches, referees and players).
Q: Mouth guard I understand this was voted on however, it is not written anywhere except for maybe in the minutes. A: The IJF and PJC do not allow the use of mouth guards during competition, however the RC has passed (last year) an exception to this rule for domestic events. Custom fit (by a dentist) soft mouth guards are recommended for competitors with braces. No other type of mouth guard is allowed.

18. 10. “Special Situations NOT resolved” (continued)
Q: Fusen gachi Is the player out of the division? In the U.S. this has been the case since However, I know players are being allowed to continue to play. A: Fusen Gachi has resulted in elimination from the division, at least at domestic events. Further investigation will be conducted to determine current IJF policy and identify exactly when the US adopted this policy.

19. 11. Head gear Q: Is any head gear allowed by the players? A: No
Q: No head gear at all (soft or not). What if a coach has a doctor’s note that a child with a previous head injury can play if he wears a foam head helmet? Do we allow in that case the helmet? Previous ruling was if a previous head injury is indicated it would be foolish for the convening authorities (those responsible and liable) to allow such a child to compete. We know Judo and no helmet is going to prevent damage. A: This is still the policy.

20. 12. Judogi Protocol
Make a clear statement. Spell it out in a one page document to be disseminated to all State Governing Bodies and Tournament Directors. i.e. No two blue Judogis, switching sides allowed? IJF requires first called to wear a white gi and the second called to wear a blue gi. In this case the players should wear their regular rank belts. The only US variation is to allow the 2nd player called to wear a white gi with a blue belt. In that case the first person called must wear a white gi with a white belt.
Or not? Two white judogis allowed? See above. Each player MUST bring with them a white and blue belt of the proper length!
Judogi Measuring Protocol Where should it be done? At the edge of the mat near the timers table (where the sokuteki is normally kept) Should the judges be present? Not required but a conference should be held prior to awarding a penalty (Hansoku Make).

21. 13. USA Judo Bowing Guide
Stress “one meter inside the contest area for second bow on the top, so when referee steps back, he/she is still inside the contest area. Yes.

22. 14. Asymmetrical Scoring
Q: Is it standard? That is: two give different scores to blue and one gives score to white. A: This situation requires a conference. First determine who gets the score and then what the score should be. [i.e. referee calls waza-ari for white, one judge wants waza-ari for blue and the other judge wants yuko for white – Two of 3 want the score for white so white gets the score. Ref wants waza-ari for white, one judge wants nothing for white and the other judge wants yuko for white. The middle score in this case is Yuko for white.]

23. 15. Transition Issues
The Document was presented and then tabled and no further action was taken. What is happening? I have made a couple of word changes that may make it more acceptable. This will be reviewed at the next meeting.

24. 16. Consultation with Jury on Hansoku make or Golden Score Penalties
2-1 vote on Hansoku make issue or winning penalty in Golden Score. Referee team MUST or
Should consult with Jury/Chief Referee. You may think this is written somewhere, but I have not seen it. It needs to be settled!!! A: The Jury should be consulted (the actual wording in the domestically approved 2010 USA Judo Refereeing Rules is “the referee and judges have the option of consulting with the jury”), however in practice the jury will normally provide their guidance and procedurally it is best if the referee seeks this guidance.