Section 7: Violations & Penalties
7.1 Shido (Minor Penalty)
A shido is a minor penalty assessed for rule violations that do not endanger the opponent. Shidos accumulate during the match: the first and second serve as warnings, while the third shido results in hansoku-make (disqualification). Penalties do not carry over between matches. Common shido infractions include:
- Non-combativity (passivity): Failing to make genuine attacking efforts within approximately 30–45 seconds. The referee may signal a warning gesture before awarding the shido (Refereeing Rules Article 18).
- Defensive posture: Adopting an excessively bent-over posture (head down) to prevent the opponent from gripping or attacking, or locking the opponent in a bear hug without attempting a technique (Refereeing Rules Article 18).
- False attack: Executing a technique with no genuine intent to throw, solely to reset the passivity clock or create an appearance of activity (Refereeing Rules Article 18).
- Intentional exit: Deliberately stepping outside the contest area or pushing the opponent out to avoid combat (Refereeing Rules Article 18).
- Grip violations: Maintaining a non-standard grip (cross-grip, one-sided, belt, back) for more than 5 seconds without attacking. Breaking the opponent's grip with two hands on the same arm. Using a "pistol grip" on the sleeve end (Refereeing Rules Article 18).
- Stalling on the ground: Holding the opponent down without establishing a valid osaekomi, or deliberately preventing ground-work progress (Refereeing Rules Article 18).
- Judogi adjustment: Repeatedly requesting matte to fix the judogi without legitimate need, or deliberately disarranging the judogi (Refereeing Rules Article 18).
- Head defense: Inserting fingers inside the opponent's sleeve or trouser leg, or using the head as a primary blocking tool against throws (Refereeing Rules Article 18).
7.2 Hansoku-make (Disqualification)
Hansoku-make is assessed in two forms:
- Accumulated hansoku-make: Results from receiving a third shido in a single match. The athlete loses the match but retains eligibility for repechage (bronze medal contest) in the tournament (Refereeing Rules Article 18).
- Direct hansoku-make: Awarded for a serious rule violation. The athlete loses the match and is eliminated from the entire tournament (no repechage eligibility). Direct hansoku-make offenses include:
- Any leg grab attack (morote-gari, kuchiki-taoshi, kibisu-gaeshi, or any hand/arm contact below the belt to execute a throw) (Refereeing Rules Article 18).
- Dangerous techniques such as kawazu-gare (wrapping leg throw) or head-diving throws (dropping headfirst into the mat while throwing) (Refereeing Rules Article 18).
- Applying kansetsu-waza (joint locks) to any joint other than the elbow (Refereeing Rules Article 18).
- Lifting an opponent who is applying an arm lock or choke and slamming them to the mat (Refereeing Rules Article 18).
- Falling directly backward when the opponent is clinging to the back (Refereeing Rules Article 18).
- Scissor takedowns (kani-basami) applied to the standing opponent's legs (Refereeing Rules Article 18).
- Unsportsmanlike conduct, disrespecting the opponent or officials, or acting against the spirit of judo (Refereeing Rules Article 18).
7.3 Mate and Video Review Challenges
Coaches may not formally challenge a referee's decision. However, the CARE system supervisors may intervene if a clear factual error is detected on video review. The mat referee retains ultimate authority on subjective judgment calls (e.g., whether a throw constitutes ippon or waza-ari). Video review is primarily used to verify landing positions, boundary calls, and whether a technique was initiated before a matte call (SOR 7.3; Refereeing Rules Article 11).