Dojo Etiquette

Etiquette is an important part of the sport of judo. Players are expected to respect their practice partners, opponents, their instructors, coaches, referees, and officials at tournaments.  Our respect for others in judo is expressed through our actions and words.  Specific actions are expected of the judoka.  Below are some of the expectations of the judoka for the players, parents, and spectators to better understand proper judo etiquette.

Bowing

What is bowing in judo?

Bowing is done to show respect for your teacher (sensei) and fellow judo students (judoka).  It is also used to show gratitude for practice.  Bowing is not religious in any way and is analogous to the 'American Handshake'.  In the Japanese culture bowing is routinely performed as a sign of greeting and respect.  In judo we perform two types of bows, standing and seated.

At the beginning and end of each class the students line up by rank from the highest to lowest, from right to left facing the sensei(s).  The highest rank (the right most student) will then call out “Kiyotsukei” (attention), then call out “Rei” (bow), then call out "Shomen ni" (to the front of the class), then call out "Rei" (bow), then call out "Sensei ni" (to the Sensei), and then call out "Rei" (bow).

Bowing is done:

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When entering or leaving the mat
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At the beginning and end of class
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Before and after practicing with a partner

At tournaments at the beginning and end of each match.

At the end of the class we turn and face joseki, the “higher end” of the dojo and bow towards the picture of Professor Kano.  This bow is a sign of our respect for the founder of judo.

In a tournament we bow before we enter the contest area, we bow once more at the line then step forward and the contest begins.

At the end of the contest, we step back to the white line, bow to our opponent again and bow a final time as we exit the contest area.

On the Mat

No shoes/footwear are allowed on the mat.  Leave shoes/footwear off to the side of the mat on the floor prior to stepping onto the mat.  We bow when stepping onto and off the mat.

Randori

All egos will be left at the door. This will be a safe environment for judoka to have live practice sessions.

Randori or “free sparring” is a drill which allows both practice partners to execute Waza. Randori is a fundamental Judo drill in which a combatant uses Waza which have been polished during Uchikomi (Repetition training) and Yakusoku geiko (Agreed-upon practice), to attack and throw the practice partner in a manner which simulates an actual contest.
Randori (Free sparring) emphasizes the basics, and requires that the partners execute (and receive) the throws at full power. In doing so, they learn how to effectively destabilize the opponent, how to time the Waza, and how to combine Waza, as well as how to defend against Waza and employ counter Waza.

Banned Techniques (Kinshi Waza)

The following techniques are banned at Tsukuba Judo Dojo during randori due to high risk of injury.

Tani-otoshi (Valley Drop)
Kani-basami (Scissors Throw)
Ura-nage (Back Throw)
Do-jime (Body Scissors)