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USJF Referee Development Resources

The USJF Referee Development Resources for educating, developing and supporting referees.

USJF Referee Development Sub-Committee

Contest Rules and Referee Education

Our USJF Referee Advisory Committee of Mark Hirota: IJF-A, Calvin Terada: IJF-A and Calvert Kitaura: PJC created the Contest Rules and Referee Education Course which is presented in five modules, increasing in detail and complexity.  At the conclusion of the five modules, you will possess a solid working knowledge of the contest rules.

How to become a USJF Referee

All Judo-ka can become a referee!  There are different levels of Judo referees.  Please contact your Yudanshakai Referee Chairperson if you are interested in becoming a Judo referee.

Types of referee Certifications:

  • IJF-A (International Judo Federation – International)
  • IJF-B (International Judo Federation – Continental)
  • National Referee (N0, N1, N2, N3, N4)
  • Regional Referee
  • Local Referee
Close Accordion
USJF Yudanshakai Representatives

YUDANSHAKAI CHAIR NAME:
50th State: Ryan Shimokawa & Sheldon Konno – ryanshimokawa@gmail.com       sheldon.konno@gmail.com
Arizona: Greg Moore – gmoore3715@gmail.com
Central California: Glenn Hamaoka – akidds@yahoo.com
Central Coast: Calvert Kitaura – calkitaura33@gmail.com
Chicago Judo: David Malek – macifp@aol.com
Daiheigen: Robert Fukuda – usjfed@usjf.com
Florida Judo: Terri Lahner – dahlias2go@yahoo.com
Florida State: Hector Estevez – hestevez@bellsouth.net
Ganbaru:
Hawaii State:
Hokka: Ralph Palmer – refcomasst2@surewest.net
Hudson: Billy Martin – godan6161@aol.com
Intermountain: Gary Oakley – garyoakley62@yahoo.com
JBBH: Scott Morifuji – scott.morifuji@gmail.com
Konan: Neil Simon – njsimon@aol.com
Nanka: Gary Takemoto – hbrjudo@gmail.com
Niagra: Bill Gugino – wgugino@yahoo.com
Northwest: Gordon Nelson – gordyn@geneseeheat.com
Pacific Southwest: Mark Yamanaka – judomd@sbcglobal.net
Rokushu:
San Joaquin:
Shinnanbu:
Shufu: R. Bobby Donaldson & Karl Tamai – bobby.d.donaldson@navy.mil
Southern Pacific: Craig Takeshita – takjmf@verizon.net

Current Referee Documents

Close Accordions
Judo Referee Checklist

 

Required Documents

 

USA Judo Membership (renewed annually)

 

Safe Sport Certification (renewable)

 

Heads Up Certification (renewable)

 

Background Check (current)

 

Documents for Personal Review

 

Current Rules (IJF & USA Judo)

 

Code of Ethics

 

USA Judo Basic Referee Manual

 

IBSA Judo Rules

 

Personal Refereeing Items

 

Tournament Rules (if applicable)

 

Radio w/ earpiece (make sure it’s charged)

 

Notepad: Bring to referee meeting

 

Thumb Drive ( saving CARE videos, with permission)

 

Lint Brush (Referees must look professional)

 

Snack Bar(s): You may need a snack, if the tournament runs long.

 

Stain Remover (optional)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Referee Attire

 

Black Blazer (ensure that it fits properly)

 

White Short Sleeve Button Down Shirt (pressed and looking good)

 

Gray Slacks

 

Black Tie

 

Black Socks

 

Referee sock cover (optional)

 

Zori or Flip Flops (optional: for off the tatami )

 

Tie Clip (optional, but recommended)

 

Referee Patch

 

Black Dress Belt

 

Referee Travel Tips 2018
Referee Clinician Travel Reimbursement Policies and Procedures
Tournament Rules Sheet

USJF/JA Jr. & Senior National Championships

 

Division

Gi Color

Match Time

Golden Score

Chokes

Armbars

Nov. Bantam

Optional

3 mins

1 min

NO

NO

Bantam

Optional

Unlimited 

NO

NO

Nov. Inter.

Optional

3 mins

1 min

NO

NO

Inter.

Optional

3 mins

Unlimited

NO

NO

Nov. Juv. A

Optional

3 mins

1 min

YES

NO

Juv. A

Optional

3 mins

Unlimited

YES

NO

Nov. Cadet

Optional

3 mins

1 min

YES

NO

Cadet

Optional

4 mins

Unlimited

YES

YES

Nov. IJF Junior

Optional

3 mins

1 min

NO

IJF Junior

White & Blue

4 mins

Unlimited

YES

YES

Masters

Optional

3 mins

Unlimited

Senior Nov.

Optional

3 mins

Unlimited

Brown/Black Belt

Optional

4 mins

Unlimited

 

Radio Channels

Tatami 1

Tatami 2

Tatami 3

Tatami 4

Tatami 5

Tatami 6

Channel 2

Channel 4

Channel 6

Channel 8

Channel 10

Channel 12

 

CR: Channel 14

USA Judo Policy on Tatami Mat & Safety Zone Dimensions for Event Competition Areas

USA Judo Policy on Tatami Mat & Safety Zone Dimensions for Event Competition Areas

(Revised 7/16/18)

As the national governing body for the sport of judo in the United States, USA judo is responsible for the safety of judoka and creating and abiding by rules that protect the safety of competitors to the extent possible.  USA Judo also provides standards, rules and regulations that provide structure for the administration of judo throughout the United States that are reasonable for athletes, clubs, coaches, event organizers, members, parents and referees.   One such regulation is the required dimensions for competition areas and the safety zone between tatami mats as outlined below.

All USA Judo Sanctioned Events Except Point Events, National Championships, and Events with International Participants (see below for more information)

Allowed for categories ages 15 and up:  competition area must be 8 x 8 meters minimum.

Allowed for categories ages 14 and below:  competition area can be 7 x 7 meters minimum.

A 3-meter safety zone for all categories between tatami mats and outside perimeter is required*. * This is a change from recent years when the required safety zone between mats was 4-meters.

All USA Judo Sanctioned Point Events and Nationals Championships

All categories:  competition area must be 8 x 8 meters minimum.  The safety zone between tatami mats for all categories at USA Judo Point Events must be a minimum of 3-meters (4-meters preferred) and 3-meters on the outside perimeter.  USA Judo National Championships must have a 4-meter safety zone between tatami mats.

Events with International Athlete Participation/International Federation Participation

Competition dimensions and the safety zone between tatami mats for USA Judo Sanctioned Events with international participations will be determined through discussion with event organizers and USA Judo during the sanctioning process.  

Pan American Judo Confederation & International Judo Federation rules will apply for PJC & IJF Sanctioned Events.

USA Judo’s Domestic Policy on Religious Headgear Worn by Athletes

USA Judo’s Domestic Policy on Religious Headgear Worn by Athletes

(Revised 7/17/18)

As the national governing body for the sport of judo in the United States, USA judo is responsible for the safety of judoka and creating and abiding by rules that protect the safety of competitors to the extent possible.

USA Judo is also proud to live in a country that allows freedoms not always allowed in other countries, including freedom of speech and religion.  As such, and as a country that celebrates its diversity and equality, USA Judo has determined that it will review requests to wear religious headgear during competitions on a case-by-case basis.  The main points of consideration for these requests are as follows:

  1. Can the wearing of religious headgear create a safety issue for the individual wearing the headgear and/or his/her opponent?
  2. Does the wearing of the religious headgear give the person wearing it an unfair competitive advantage or disadvantage?
  3. Is the desire to wear headgear by an athlete due to their religious practice(s) or due to the advice of a medical doctor for safety purposes?

If the answer to questions #1 and #2 is “no” as determined by USA Judo, and the answer to question # 3 is “yes”, USA Judo will likely allow the wearing of headgear.

Again, USA Judo will review religious headgear requests on a case-by-case basis and reserves the right to not allow headgear of any kind if the safety of any athlete may be put into jeopardy by the wearing of headgear or for any reason deemed as detrimental to the sport of judo in the United States.

For any individuals desiring to wear religious headgear, please call USA Judo at 719-866-4730 with as much advance notice as possible before the competition for which wearing headgear is desired.

USA Judo’s Domestic Policy on Religious Headgear Worn by Referees

USA Judo’s Domestic Policy on Religious Headgear Worn by Referees

(Revised 7/17/18)

As the national governing body for the sport of judo in the United States, USA judo is responsible for creating and abiding by rules that are fair and consistent for its membership.  USA Judo is proud to live in a country that allows freedoms not always allowed in other countries, including freedom of speech and religion.  As such, and as a country that celebrates its diversity and equality, USA Judo has determined that it will allow USA Judo Certified Referees to wear religious headgear during domestic events under its authority.

USA Judo reserves the right to not allow headgear of any kind for referees if doing so may impede the individual wearing headgear from fulfilling his or her refereeing responsibilities, or for any reason deemed as detrimental to the sport of judo in the United States.

For questions regarding the wearing of religious headgear, please call USA Judo at 719-866-4730

IJF Referee and Coach Seminar January 14-15, 2019 Mittersill, Austria
USJF Pilot Project For Newaza Development Competition Rules
2020 IJF PPT Seminar Feb. 15
IJF Sports and Organization Rules July 23, 2019
IJF Referee and Coaching Seminar Jan 14-15, 2019
IBSA (Visually Impaired) Rules 2017
IBSA (Visually Impaired) Rules 2017

Traditions of Kodokan Judo 

Close Accordions
Jin & Rei
History of Kodokan Judo