The following changes to BJA rules were agreed by the Board of Directors on May 23rd 2017. Some of them have already been running on a trial basis but all are now to be used at all relevant BJA events:

Waza-ari for Dan Grade Promotion Points
The score of Waza-ari will no longer count towards Dan grade promotion points at either gradings or competitions. Only Ippon will be recorded on a player’s points card. (Referees at gradings may still announce Waza-ari, but it will not be recorded.)

Waza-ari and Shido Scores 
A win by waza-ari should be recorded as FIVE points (using the legend S, for win by superiority – the old legend for win by yuko or koka).
A win by shido should be recorded as ONE point. Wins by Ippon, Hansoku-make, Kiken-gachi and Fusen-gachi will continue to be TEN points.

Age Band Criteria for Competition
For many young players, if moving into cadet age band, the first time that they experience Shime-waza and Kansetsu-waza in competitive situations is at the National Championships each year in December, and if moving into pre-cadet this may be their first experience without technical restrictions. Many will be competing at this level for the first time or are moving into a new weight category.

We have brought forward the start of the following year’s age band criteria to September 2017. This will allow the younger players competing for the first time in a new age band to gain some experience of the new rules they will be competing under and, for those changing age band or weight category, some time to assimilate.

Level 1 and Level 2 Competitions

At this level of event, if the scores are level at the end of normal time but there is a difference in penalties, the contest will be decided on those penalties.

Technical Restrictions:

1. Golden Score
At the end of normal time, minors and low grades (i.e. those players in categories where technical restrictions are in force) should have rest time BEFORE going into golden score.

As the minimum rest time between contests is now SIX minutes, the period of golden score allowed before a further rest is now increased to three minutes.

2. Drop Seoi-Nage 

The current definition of drop seoi-nage is replaced with:
If tori ‘drops’ directly to one or two knees during the initial stage of any forward throwing technique, this should be penalised.

However, if tori takes the weight of uke weight on their back in a standing position but then performs any other recognisable throwing action, or the taking of the weight causes tori to fall onto one or two knees, this will be allowed.

Notwithstanding this, if the referees consider the action to be a ‘flop’, then this should be penalised in the usual way.

3. Senior Low Grades 

The technical restrictions were intended for low grades under 16 years. However, some senior events restricted to red and yellow belts have also imposed technical restrictions, using the same arguments, about safety and good development of judo coaching of beginners. This is permissible. Organisers of these events should make it clear on the entry form and at the start of day if technical restrictions are to be used.

Other recent rule changes you may have missed:

Rest Time

At all BJA events, as mentioned above, players are now entitled to SIX minutes rest time between contests, irrespective of the length of their usual contest time.

Strangles and Cadet Events

Players competing in cadet age bands who are strangled unconscious (which may only be momentary unconsciousness, and so does not necessitate a lengthy unconsciousness) cannot continue to compete that day.

NOTE: This is a change to the previous BJA rule which stated that these players could continue if approved by medical personnel. This rule was recently changed by the IJF and the BJA have changed our rule to bring us into line with the IJF rule

Team Events (Recommendation)

There are two ways of running a team event: in the IJF system, all contests are fought to a conclusion, including golden score, whilst in the BJA domestic system, contests which end with scores and penalties equal (pre 2017 rules) were given as a draw and only fought to a conclusion if needed to separate the teams. Either is allowed in the BJA as long as it is made clear to all participants which system is in use at the start of the event. With the new IJF rules, the latter system is more difficult, as penalties need to be recorded, so we recommend that organisers use the IJF system. The BJA system can however still be used if the organisers choose.

Table Officials Qualification Scheme

Volunteers can now qualify as Timekeeper/Scorers by attending three events, working on the table and having a form signed by the recorder on the table or the Tournament Director. At least one of the three signatures must be a minimum of Senior Recorder level. A Dan grading would count as an event as well. The form can be downloaded here: https://bja.platform81.com/my-judo/officiating/how-to-get-started-in-officiating/

Having had the form signed at three events, you then send it in to Head Office and you will become a qualified Timekeeper/Scorer.

For Contest Recorder, a series of “How to” presentations and exercises are being developed and will soon be available in the Officiating section of the BJA website. These will cover the legends used on sheets and how to fill in contest sheets of all types.

BJA courses for Contest Recorder and Senior Recorder awards are being held around the country and it is hoped to ensure that at least one CR course is held in each Area and Home Country during the next year, with SR courses also being held.