Judo scoring system

The scoring hierarchy

There are three technique scores in judo, plus a penalty system. Higher scores outrank lower ones — a single waza-ari beats any number of yukos at the end of regulation time.

Pool values are used in round robin tiebreakers (sum of match scores). Two waza-ari in the same match equals an ippon and ends the match immediately.

Ippon

Ippon (一本) is the maximum score and ends the match immediately — regardless of any previous scores or time remaining. It is the fundamental goal of judo: one decisive technique.

Ippon by throwing (tachi-waza)

A throw scores ippon when it meets all four criteria simultaneously:

• Control (kime):Tori (the thrower) is in control of the throw throughout — not stumbling or falling accidentally.
• Speed (hayasa):The throw is executed with sufficient speed and momentum.
• Force (chikara):The throw is executed with force — not placed gently.
• Onto the back (ura):Uke (the thrown athlete) lands largely on their back. A fall on the side scores less.

All four criteria must be present for ippon. If a throw has force, speed, and control but uke lands on their side rather than their back, it will typically score waza-ari or yuko instead.

Ippon by hold-down (osaekomi-waza)

When a hold-down (osaekomi) is called and maintained for 20 seconds, ippon is awarded. The referee calls osaekomi when tori has control over uke on the ground with uke largely on their back and unable to escape. The clock stops if uke escapes or the hold breaks.

The osaekomi clock starts from the moment the referee calls osaekomi — not from when the hold began. Scores are awarded as the time threshold is reached (Article 7):

Source: IJF Sport and Organisation Rules, Article 7.

Ippon by submission (kansetsu-waza / shime-waza)

If uke taps twice (or verbally submits) to an armlock (kansetsu-waza) or a choke/strangle (shime-waza), ippon is awarded immediately. The referee may also award ippon if uke loses consciousness due to a choke. Armlocks are permitted only for seniors — they are not allowed in junior, cadet, or younger categories.

Waza-ari

Waza-ari (技あり) is awarded when a technique nearly meets the criteria for ippon but falls short in one element — typically uke does not land fully on the back, or the throw lacks full force or speed. Two waza-ari in the same match combine to equal an ippon, ending the match immediately (awasete ippon).

In groundwork, a hold maintained for 10–19 seconds scores waza-ari. If the hold continues to 20 seconds, it upgrades to ippon.

At the end of regulation time, a single waza-ari beats any number of yukos. If both athletes have the same number of waza-ari, the match goes to golden score.

Yuko

Yuko (有効) is the smallest technique score. Multiple yukos are counted but do not accumulate toward waza-ari — no number of yukos equals a waza-ari.

Yuko in tachi-waza (official definition)

Yuko in ne-waza (official definition)

At the end of regulation, yuko only decides the match if both athletes have the same waza-ari count. The athlete with more yukos wins. If yuko counts are also equal, the match goes to golden score.

In pool round robin events, yuko scores contribute 1 point to the sum of match scores tiebreaker, making even small techniques potentially meaningful when pools are closely contested.

Shido — the penalty system

Shido (指導) is a minor penalty. It is shown on the scoreboard as a mark against the penalised athlete — it does notadd a score to the opponent's technique total. This distinction matters for scoreboard operators and for pool tiebreaker calculations.

Common reasons for shido

• Passivity — not making genuine attacking efforts over a period of time.
• Holding an incomplete grip for too long without attacking.
• Deliberately avoiding gripping (avoiding contact).
• Stepping out of the competition area to avoid a technique.
• False attacks — simulated attacks with no intention of completing the throw.
• Defensive posture — crouching excessively to prevent being thrown.
• Holding the jacket below the belt, grabbing the trouser leg or feet.
• Minor procedural infringements (e.g., adjusting judogi without referee permission).

How shido affects the match outcome

Shidos accumulate during the match. Receiving 3 shidos in the same match results in hansoku-make — match disqualification — and the opponent wins immediately. Shidos do not carry over between matches.

When a match ends regulation time with equal technique scores, it goes directly to golden score — shido counts no longer determine the winner at the end of regulation time under current rules (2024–).

On the scoreboard, shidos are typically shown as penalty indicators (often yellow cards or marks) beneath each athlete's score. Table officials must record shidos accurately and in real time — a missed shido can affect the match result and the tiebreaker calculation in pools.

Golden score — sudden-death overtime

If a match ends regulation time with equal technique scores, golden score (ゴールデンスコア) begins immediately. It is sudden-death overtime: the first athlete to score any technique (ippon, waza-ari, or yuko) wins. Receiving a shido during golden score also ends the match in the opponent's favour.

For adults, golden score is unlimited — there is no time cap. Matches can and do last several minutes beyond regulation. Organisers must build time buffers into mat schedules to account for this, especially in competitive categories.

For children, golden score has a time limit — for example 60 seconds. If no score is produced within that time, the judges decide the winner based on who came closest to scoring during golden score. This prevents very young athletes from competing indefinitely and keeps the event moving.

For pool/round robin events, golden score time adds to the total match time recorded. If shortest time in won matches is used as a tiebreaker, a match that went to golden score will have a longer recorded time than one won quickly in regulation — potentially affecting pool standings.

How scores feed into pool tiebreakers

In round robin pool competitions, tiebreakers use the following chain when athletes finish with equal wins:

1. 1.Sum of match scores — total technique points across all pool matches (ippon = 100, waza-ari = 10, yuko = 1). Hansoku-make and walkovers also count as 100 for the winner.
2. 2.Head-to-head result — who won the direct match between the tied athletes.
3. 3.Shortest total time in won matches — the athlete who won their matches in less combined time ranks higher.

Notice that shidos do not contribute to the sum of match scores — only technique scores (ippon, waza-ari, yuko) and outcomes (hansoku-make, walkover) count. An athlete who won three pool matches but only by shido advantage at the end of time scores zero technique points in the tiebreaker sum.

This means attacking judo is directly rewarded in pool formats: decisive wins with ippons accumulate far more tiebreaker points than close decision wins.

Historical context

The judo scoring system has changed several times. Koka (効果) — a fourth, smaller score below yuko — was removed from the IJF system in 2009. Yuko itself was subsequently removed, leaving only ippon and waza-ari for a period. Yuko has since been reintroduced.

This history explains why older tournament software, guides, and competition records may show different scoring systems. If you are using a competition management system, ensure it is configured for the current ruleset — particularly if it was set up during the period when yuko was not in use.

National federations sometimes run categories under slightly different rules — for example, some junior categories have restrictions on certain techniques. Always check which ruleset applies to each specific category at your event.

For table officials and scoreboard operators