2022 Rules and performance training
The International Judo Federation (IJF) has released the modifications for the competitions rules for the next Olympic cycle (Paris 2024). The new rules are explained over on the IJF website: https://www.ijf.org/news/show/new-olympic-cycle-new-judo-rules.
For athletes and aspiring athletes competing in the sport of Judo; the IJF rules are fundamental to how you train both on techniques and physiologically. In this article we will outline some initial thoughts on how the new rule changes might impact you.
Judogi sizes
The suits we wear are vital to the dynamics of Judo. The gi is (arguably) getting slightly larger, meaning grip fighting will change a little. How it affects you is somewhat personal; more material gives you more “handles” to grip. Equally, you will have more to grasp onto.
Grip fighting is for performance Judo a key element. So ensuring you have a regulation cut suit and your training partners do also will be important to ensuring you are ready.
Continuation of techniques
The new rule interpretations outline how scoring techniques must be part of a continuous attack or motion. In the example of a drop seoi nage for example there must be no pause between the first attack and the eventual end where uke ends up on their back.
Athletes need to ensure they are training appropriately. Techniques need to be developed so that the drive never ends. Some crash mat work (potentially with bungees) might be useful for developing the continuous driving motion.
Physiologically speaking, building the leg strength and speed is worth considering. Drills with short bursts of sprinting on the spot might be a style that would help.
Wazari landings
Emphasis here is on the 90 degree or more angle of back and hips.
Athletes will want to train their escapes and landings from being thrown, building the habit of rotating will be important. As tori, training and modification of techniques to ensure at least 90 degrees will help ensure scores.
Training reactions and spatial awareness may be helpful.
Elbow landings
Landing on both elbows or hands will now still be a score. This we presume is safety related for uke. The concern as an athlete is that you ensure you don’t develop the habit of using the elbow/hands to try and not give away a score.
Rules are always in flux
One of the key elements athletes need to address is the constant changing in the way the rules are interpreted.
High level athletes (and aspiring ones) should be training with referees regularly in attendance. Getting coaching from referees on how the rule interpretations are being applied at your level is important.
Of course another good exercise is for you and your training partners to watch IJF live streams and look at the IJF refereeing videos when made available. Simply taking the video above and replicating the examples is helpful. You will experience the throws physically and “feel” the differences.
Let us know how it goes!
