RULES for Juniors, Seniors, Veterans

The Championships will be conducted in accordance with the Contest Rules, Organization Code and Sporting Code of the International Judo Federation, as revised for the 2023 US Open Judo Championship. These rules include, but are not limited to draw, weigh-in, length of contests, and competition procedures. Rules that are specific to the various categories are so indicated; otherwise, the rule applies to all categories. Additional rules for JUNIORS, SENIORS and VETERANS (including NOVICE) may be listed in those sections of the entry package.

● Determination of Weight Category: JUNIOR, SENIOR AND VETERAN athletes are asked to make a preliminary declaration of weight on the entry form or at check-in/registration. However, the athlete’s actual weight at weigh-in will determine their weight division, i.e. the athletes do not have to “make” their declared weight.

Naked weigh-in is no longer allowed for any category. To compensate, 0.1kg will be allowed. For example, in the 66kg category, the limit will be 66.1kg. This is a clothing allowance only and the 0.1kg will only be added to the true weight.

● Shime-waza rule: Shime-waza (choking) allowed in Juvenile, Cadet, IJF-Junior, Senior and Veterans categories only. Choking is NOT ALLOWED in Novice divisions.

● Kansetsu-waza rule: Kansetsu-waza (arm locks) allowed in Cadet, IJF-Junior, Senior and Veterans categories only. Arm locks are NOT ALLOWED in Novice divisions.

● Injury Rule: Decisions as to whether an athlete may continue if injured while on the mat, are to be resolved in accordance with IJF rules; such decisions occurring off the mat or not covered by the IJF rules, are to be made by the coach, the athlete, and the Team Doctor. If there is not a unanimous opinion among these three individuals, the athlete may not continue (Board-approved October 22, 1998.)

● Match lengths:

Bantam-1, Bantam-2, Bantam-3, Intermediate, and Juvenile: 3 minutes

Cadet and IJF Junior: 4 minutes

Seniors: 4 minutes

Veterans: Please refer to Veterans-information area.

● Judo-gi requirements: IJF judogi Requirements regarding sizing will be enforced for ALL CATEGORIES at this event. Athletes, coaches and parents should study these requirements at the following link: http://www.teamusa.org/USA-Judo/Athletes/International-Federation.

Appropriate undergarments must be worn by all athletes. Female athletes shall wear under the jacket either, a plain white or off-white tee-shirt, with short sleeves, long enough to be worn inside the trousers, or a plain white or off-white leotard with short sleeves. The white Tee-shirt should be round necked. No marking can be visible when the judogi is done up. Athlete’s needing to change clothes/judo gi should do so in a restroom, locker room or other area specifically designated for changing.

 MAAPP Policy  

The Center for SafeSport has developed the Minor Athlete Prevention Policies (MAAPP) which USA Judo has adapted to our own sport. The MAAPP is a collection of proactive and training policies comprised of two parts; Education & Training Policy that requires training for certain Adult Participants and the Required Prevention Policies, focused on limiting one-on-one interactions between Adult Participants and Minor Athletes to prevent abuse. The full MAAPP policy and the reporting mechanism for SafeSport infractions can be found at Safe Sport Program (teamusa.org).

● Judo gi color: In the Cadet, IJF Junior, Senior, and Veteran categories, the blue and white judogi requirement is mandatory. In all other categories we encourage the wearing of a blue judogi by the “blue” side competitor. However, Bantam-1 thru Juvenile can both wear white judogi's. IJF labeled approved gi’s are not required, but gi’s must meet IJF sizing requirements. Under no circumstances shall both competitors be allowed to compete in blue gis, nor will the blue and white competitors be allowed to switch positions. The gi jacket and pants must be the same color; no mixing of colors. In all matches where both competitors are wearing white gis, both competitors will remove their grade belts and wear a blue or white belt to identify the contestant’s designated color for the match.

COMPETITORS AND THEIR COACHES IN BANTAM-1 through BANTAM-6, INTERMEDIATE & JUVENILE CATEGORIES ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR PROVIDING THEIR OWN BLUE AND WHITE BELTS FOR THIS COMPETITION. THIS RULE WILL INSURE THAT THE BELTS FIT PROPERLY. PLEASE MARK YOUR BELTS WITH YOUR NAME OR CLUB.

CONFIRMATION OF CATEGORIES/DRAW PROCEDURES

All times listed below are Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)

Prior to the beginning of registration/check-in, a preliminary list of athletes by category/weight will be available at https://usajudo.smoothcomp.com. Athletes/coaches/representatives for the athlete are required to check the list to ensure the athlete is in the correct category/weight. Any corrections should be emailed to [email protected]. PHONE CALLS OR TEXTS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

At the conclusion of weigh-in each day, revised divisions will be updated according to the schedule listed below. Athletes/coaches/representatives for the athlete are required to check the list to ensure the athlete is in the correct category/weight and report corrections during the time periods listed below. After those time periods, no other corrections will be accepted.

July 27: Corrections and weights will be processed at the conclusion of weigh-in at 4 PM and revised divisions will be posted at https://usajudo.smoothcomp.com no earlier than 5:00 PM. All corrections must be emailed to [email protected] within 60 minutes after posting. PHONE CALLS OR TEXTS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. Afterwards the draw will be run. Draw brackets and fight sheets will be posted at https://usajudo.smoothcomp.com.

July 28: Weights will be processed at the conclusion of weigh-in at 12 Noon and revised divisions will be posted at https://usajudo.smoothcomp.com no earlier than 1:00 PM. All corrections must be emailed to [email protected] or submitted in person onsite within 60 minutes after posting. PHONE CALLS OR TEXTS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. Afterwards the draw will be run. Draw brackets an fight sheets will be posted at https://usajudo.smoothcomp.com.

July 29: Weights will be processed at the conclusion of weigh-in at 1:30 PM and revised divisions will be posted at https://usajudo.smoothcomp.com no earlier than 3:00 PM. All corrections must be emailed to [email protected] or submitted in person onsite within 60 minutes after posting. PHONE CALLS OR TEXTS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. Afterwards the draw will be run. Draw brackets and fight sheets will be posted at https://usajudo.smoothcomp.com.

IMPORTANT! All division lists will be posted online ONLY! Athletes or their representatives must review the posted lists to ensure the athlete is in the correct Age/Weight category. Failure to confirm or make corrections during the correction periods given above may result in the athlete NOT COMPETING IN THIS TOURNAMENT. All draws will be conducted using USA Judo approved software. With the exception of seeding, the draw will be random with the additional provision that athletes from the same club will be separated as far apart in the pools as possible. Refer to the next section for all seeding information.

MATCH SCHEDULING, SEEDING OF ATHLETES, POINTS, COACH ACCESS

● A Match Scheduling system will be used. All contestants are expected to report to their assigned contest area 3 matches prior to their assigned match. Details of the match scheduling system will be announced at the coach meeting prior to the first day of competition.

● MATCH SCHEDULING CONFLICTS: Some athletes will be competing in more than one division on the same day. For example, Novice and Championship; Senior and Veteran; more than one bantam weight/same age. Tournament staff will attempt to schedule the divisions as far apart as possible to avoid conflicts, but this is not guaranteed. The standard “no show” protocol will apply if an athletes fail to appear because they are competing in another division at the same time.

● Juniors: In the Cadet and IJF Junior categories ONLY, athletes will be seeded based on the current USA Judo Cadet and IJF Junior National Rosters according to the current USA Judo seeding procedures..

● Seniors: In the Senior category, athletes will be seeded based on the current USA Judo Senior National Rosters according to the current USA Judo seeding procedures.

● Veterans: There will be no seeding in the Veterans categories.

● Points in the Championship categories: For USA Athletes, points on the USA Judo national rosters will be awarded in accordance with the current USA Judo point system. Refer to the following for changes clarification or changes to the USA Judo point system: https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Judo/Athletes /Juniors /Seniors /Veterans

Note: USA athletes who wish to receive points on USA Judo’s national point rosters, must be a member of USA Judo at the time of Registration/Check-in. There will be no points for Novice, Golden Score, or Team events.

● Coach Access: Authorized coaches will be given admission onto the venue floor. One coach per contestant.