Divisions & Rules

Tournament Rules

Round Robin (five or fewer competitors) or Modified Double Elimination. Full IJF rules will be used with the following modifications. 1) Chokes are only allowed in Juvenile, IJF Junior and Senior Novice and Elite divisions. 2) Arm locks are only allowed in Juvenile B, IJF Junior and Senior Elite divisions. No arm locks allowed in Juvenile A, Intermediate, Bantam or Senior Novice divisions. These rules are based solely on the division in which the contestant competes. The contestant’s actual age on the day of competition is irrelevant. Competitors must adhere to the rules of the division in which they compete. Blue and white judo-gis are required for all competitors (Seniors and Juniors.) To receive an award athletes must be in judo-gi or proper team attire. Coaches must wear proper attire as per the IJF coaching code, except that coaching during the match will be allowed and coaches will not be expected to wear suits during the scheduled finals.

Technical Information Senior Class E and Junior Class D Event

Elite Point procedures

This event is a USA Judo Senior Class-E and Junior Class-D event. The ONLY divisions in which points can be earned are the SENIOR divisions that include ranks THROUGH black belt. ALL players who place 1st or 2nd will receive 1.0 and 0.5 SENIOR points, respectively, and Senior E-level classification. Junior-age athletes (born 1998 and later) who place 1st, 2nd, or 3rd in those same SENIOR divisions will receive 2.0, 1.0, and 0.5 JUNIOR points, respectively, on both the IJF Junior and their age-appropriate rosters, in addition to Senior points.

Restrictions

In order to receive points, players must be citizens of the USA. In addition, players must win at least 1 match to receive SENIOR points (the 1 win restriction does not apply for JUNIOR points). After earning points, in order to be listed on any of USA Judo's national rosters, a player must join USA Judo prior to the conclusion of the event to receive points (if not already a member.)

Seeding

For the Elite point categories, the top 4 nationally ranked Senior athletes will be seeded if they compete in the weight division in which they are ranked. #1 and #4 shall be placed on one side of the bracket; #2 and #3 shall be placed on the other side. The seeding order shall be in the order of the byes, i.e., if there is 1 bye, #1 shall get it; if there are 2 byes, #s 1 and 2 shall get them, etc. If any of the top 4 nationally ranked athletes are not in attendance, athletes ranked #5 and below SHALL NOT be seeded, i.e., “moved up” to the next higher seed position.

Rules for the Elite point categories

  1. IJF contest rules shall be used.

  2. Blue judo-gi use is mandatory.

  3. Players may compete in only 1 division.

  4. Players must compete in the weight category that conforms to their measured weight at weigh-in. Example: A player competing in the 81 kg division must weigh over 73 kg and less than or equal to 81 kg. Exception: The Male 55 kg and Female 44 kg divisions are PJC weights and not “Olympic” weights. Competitors whose measured weight would place them in a PJC weight division may choose to compete in the next higher weight division (Male 60 kg and Female 48 kg).

Weight Divisions

Please note these divisions excluding Elite Sr. divisions, are guidelines only and may be modified according to number and weight of the entries at tournament director’s discretion.

JUNIOR BOYS AND GIRLS DIVISIONS: Please note that Junior divisions are for players born in 1999 or later. Each category is based solely on the year in which the contestant was born. The

contestant’s actual age on the day of competition is irrelevant. All weights are in kilograms. For each weight division, the weight range will be over the next lower weight and up to and including the weight listed. Example: Bantam 1, 28 kg over 23.1 kg and up to and including 28 kg. All Juniors will be allowed an extra 100 grams or .1 kg to make weight and shall not remove under clothing. The following age/weight categories will be in use:SENIOR NOVICE DIVISION: Please note that Senior Novice divisions are for players born before 2000. All weights are in kilograms. For each weight division, the weight range will be over the next lower weight and up to and including the weight listed.

SENIOR WOMEN BROWN & BLACK BELT DIVISION

SENIOR NOVICE DIVISION: Please note that Senior Novice divisions are for players born before 2000. All weights are in kilograms. For each weight division, the weight range will be over the next lower weight and up to and including the weight listed.

SENIOR MEN BROWN & BLACK BELT DIVISION

MASTERS DIVISION 40 yrs.+ (Brackets will be made according to number of entries)

1. IJF contest rules shall be used unless otherwise specified.

2. Match times will be in accordance with IJF rules: 4 minutes for Senior Men Brown & Black Belt Divisions, 4 minutes for Senior Women Brown & Black Belt Divisions.

3. All Senior Novice, Junior and Masters divisions will be 3 minutes in length.

4. Tournament director reserves the right to a) make changes to divisions if there are insufficient contestants and will notify coaches of any such event prior to competition and b) to reject any forms that contain false information.