Novice Divisions - White belts only

Must have 6 months or less experience in Judo. Novice contestants will be grouped as best as possible based on weight and year born. NO SHIME-WAZA OR KANSETSU-WAZA allowed in any Novice Divisions.

International Judo Federations Rules with the following modifications

• Shime waza allowed in Juvenile A and older
• No Shime-waza for participants 60 years and older
• Kansetsu waza allowed in Juvenile B and older AND must be Sankyu or higher
• NO SHIME-WAZA OR KANSETSU-WAZA allowed in any Novice Divisions
• Rest periods - rest periods will not exceed the length of a match
• IJF regulation competition mats will be used
• The CARE system will not be used for this tournament
• There will be no co-ed divisions

Match Length

NOVICE Bantam: 2 minutes, Hantei if no score (No Golden Score)

NOVICE Intermediate 1 and Above: 3 minutes, Hantei if no score(No Golden Score)

OPEN Bantam: 3 minutes, Hantei if no score (2 minutes cap Golden Score) 

OPEN Intermediate and Juvenile A: 3 minutes (No limit Golden Score)

OPEN Juvenile B and Older: 4 minutes (No limit Golden Score)

COACHING

Coaching is encouraged at all times during the matches as long as it has a positive influence over athlete. 

Method of Competition

Categories with 2 contestants: Best 2 out of 3 

Categories with 3-4 contestants: Round Robin

Categories with 5 or more contestants: Standard True Double Elimination Loser Bracket to Final (The winner of the loser's bracket will compete against the winner of the winner's bracket for 1st and 2nd place. The first of these two contestants to have (2) losses will be 2nd place, and the other will be 1st place. The loser of the loser's bracket will be 3rd place.)

Round Robin Points

Ippon = 10 points

Hansoku-make = 10 points

Forfeit = 10 points

Waza-ari = 5 points 

Hantei = 3 points

Uncontested Divisions

If a contestant has no one else in the division, he/she will be declared the winner of the division OR he/she may move up to the next weight division but in the same age category, all rules will apply to the division entered.

The same will apply to a contestant who does not make weight, he/she may move up to the next weight division but in the same age category, all rules will apply to the division entered. Any changes will be discussed with the instructors and/or competitors involved before the actual change is made. 

The Tournament Director reserves the right to make any changes that are in the best interest of the contestants. Any changes will be discussed with the instructors and/or competitors involved before the actual change is made. 

Judogi

Blue and white sashes will be used to determine the blue and white competitors. These sashes will be provided and must be worn over your regular colored belts.

Contestants who wish to wear a blue judogi may do so but will be required to also have a white judogi when designated to be the white competitor.