Section 3: Playing Area
3.1 Tatami Specifications
All IJF-sanctioned competitions take place on a regulation tatami (competition mat) meeting the following dimensional requirements:
- Total Platform: Minimum 14 m × 14 m (46 ft × 46 ft), encompassing the contest area and the safety area — the IJF rules no longer define a separate "danger zone", which was removed from the Sport and Organisation Rules (SOR 8.7).
- Contest Area: a minimum of 8 m × 8 m and a maximum of 10 m × 10 m; Olympic and World Championship finals typically use 10 m × 10 m (SOR 8.7).
- No danger zone: The 1 m red border strip inside the contest area was abolished and does not appear in the current Sport and Organisation Rules. The mat is defined as contest area plus safety area only, so there is no intermediate zone governing whether an action counts (SOR 8.7).
- Safety Area: Minimum 3 m wide surrounding the contest area, with a free zone of at least 50 cm (SOR 8.7). When two mats are placed adjacent, the combined safety zone between them must be at least 4 m (13 ft).
3.2 Mat Construction and Approval
Tatami mats must be IJF-approved, constructed from high-density foam (typically EVA or compressed polyurethane) with a textured, non-slip vinyl surface. Mat firmness must allow safe breakfalls (ukemi) while providing enough friction to prevent uncontrolled sliding. The contest area and safety zone are distinguished by color: typically green or yellow for the contest area and red for the danger zone. Mats must be laid flat without gaps, ridges, or overlapping seams that could cause tripping (SOR 8.7).
3.3 Venue Requirements
- Minimum ceiling height of 4 m (13 ft) above the mat surface (SOR 8.7).
- Adequate lighting of at least 1,500 lux at mat level for competition and broadcast requirements (SOR 8.7).
- Warm-up area adjacent to the competition hall with sufficient mat space for athletes to prepare (SOR 8.7).
- Designated coaching chairs positioned at two diagonal corners of the competition area, one per athlete (SOR 8.7).
- Medical station with stretcher access within 30 seconds of any competition mat (SOR 8.7).