Judo gameplay and philosophy

The sport of Judo isn’t as easy as it looks on the mat. Players and referees religiously adhere to form and detail.

Going on the offensive in this sport could be accomplished in three ways: (1) Throwing an opponent on his back with enough force and good form, (2) Applying a stranglehold or submission maneuver to force an opponent to yield, or (3) Pinning down an opponent for 30 seconds.

If a Judoka manages to perform one of the three scoring methods, a full point or an Ippon will be awarded, which is enough to secure the match. However, a throw with insufficient force or awkward form will result in a half point or a Waza-ari, two of which equal to an Ippon. Lower point values (Yuko and Koka) also factor in a tightly contested match, with a Yuko having a higher value than a Koka. These are scored on less impressive throws or submission holds of shorter duration. Certain penalties are also assessed in the game, usually favoring an opponent’s score.

Under International Judo Federation rules, there are seven weight categories ranging from 60 kg or less to above 95 kg for the men’s division, and 48 kg or less to above 72 kg for the women’s division.

Despite the offensive nature of scoring points, the essence of the sport can be derived from the meaning of its name, “Gentle way”. Judo’s philosophy is to “not meet force head-on” for the purpose of finding the best offense in defense. Strike when the time is right!

Aside from “Maximum Efficiency” and “Mutual Welfare and Benefit”, Dr. Kano’s also imparted his philosophies of being alert, exercising perseverance, and respect for others that can be used in both the sport and real life.