USJF-sponsored upcoming opportunities that incorporate refereeing content, such as a rules clinic:

• April 10-11, 2026: San Francisco, CA – “2026 USJF Professional Development Workshop”
  • “Advance your skills, certifications, and leadership in judo with three focused professional-development workshops hosted by the United States Judo Federation. Whether you are organizing events, teaching self-defense, or coaching at the highest international level, these programs are designed to support excellence, safety, and long-term growth.”
  • Register or get more information on the event Smoothcomp page.
• More coming soon!

In Preparation.

USA Judo’s Domestic Policy on Religious Headgear Worn by Athletes

(Revised 7/17/18)

As the national governing body for the sport of judo in the United States, USA judo is responsible for the safety of judoka and creating and abiding by rules that protect the safety of competitors to the extent possible.

USA Judo is also proud to live in a country that allows freedoms not always allowed in other countries, including freedom of speech and religion.  As such, and as a country that celebrates its diversity and equality, USA Judo has determined that it will review requests to wear religious headgear during competitions on a case-by-case basis.  The main points of consideration for these requests are as follows:

1. Can the wearing of religious headgear create a safety issue for the individual wearing the headgear and/or his/her opponent?
2. Does the wearing of the religious headgear give the person wearing it an unfair competitive advantage or disadvantage?
3. Is the desire to wear headgear by an athlete due to their religious practice(s) or due to the advice of a medical doctor for safety purposes?

If the answer to questions #1 and #2 is “no” as determined by USA Judo, and the answer to question # 3 is “yes”, USA Judo will likely allow the wearing of headgear.

Again, USA Judo will review religious headgear requests on a case-by-case basis and reserves the right to not allow headgear of any kind if the safety of any athlete may be put into jeopardy by the wearing of headgear or for any reason deemed as detrimental to the sport of judo in the United States.

For any individuals desiring to wear religious headgear, please call USA Judo at 719-866-4730 with as much advance notice as possible before the competition for which wearing headgear is desired.

USA Judo Policy on Tatami Mat & Safety Zone Dimensions for Event Competition Areas

(Revised 7/16/18)

As the national governing body for the sport of judo in the United States, USA judo is responsible for the safety of judoka and creating and abiding by rules that protect the safety of competitors to the extent possible.  USA Judo also provides standards, rules and regulations that provide structure for the administration of judo throughout the United States that are reasonable for athletes, clubs, coaches, event organizers, members, parents and referees.   One such regulation is the required dimensions for competition areas and the safety zone between tatami mats as outlined below.

All USA Judo Sanctioned Events Except Point Events, National Championships, and Events with International Participants (see below for more information)

Allowed for categories ages 15 and up:  competition area must be 8 x 8 meters minimum.

Allowed for categories ages 14 and below:  competition area can be 7 x 7 meters minimum.

A 3-meter safety zone for all categories between tatami mats and outside perimeter is required*. * This is a change from recent years when the required safety zone between mats was 4-meters.

All USA Judo Sanctioned Point Events and Nationals Championships

All categories:  competition area must be 8 x 8 meters minimum.  The safety zone between tatami mats for all categories at USA Judo Point Events must be a minimum of 3-meters (4-meters preferred) and 3-meters on the outside perimeter.  USA Judo National Championships must have a 4-meter safety zone between tatami mats.

Events with International Athlete Participation/International Federation Participation

Competition dimensions and the safety zone between tatami mats for USA Judo Sanctioned Events with international participations will be determined through discussion with event organizers and USA Judo during the sanctioning process.  

Pan American Judo Confederation & International Judo Federation rules will apply for PJC & IJF Sanctioned Events.

USA Judo’s Domestic Policy on Religious Headgear Worn by Referees

(Revised 7/17/18)

As the national governing body for the sport of judo in the United States, USA judo is responsible for creating and abiding by rules that are fair and consistent for its membership.  USA Judo is proud to live in a country that allows freedoms not always allowed in other countries, including freedom of speech and religion.  As such, and as a country that celebrates its diversity and equality, USA Judo has determined that it will allow USA Judo Certified Referees to wear religious headgear during domestic events under its authority.

USA Judo reserves the right to not allow headgear of any kind for referees if doing so may impede the individual wearing headgear from fulfilling his or her refereeing responsibilities, or for any reason deemed as detrimental to the sport of judo in the United States.

For questions regarding the wearing of religious headgear, please call USA Judo at 719-866-4730

Refereeing soon? Here’s an easy list of what you may want to check off:

If you are traveling internationally, consider reviewing “Referee Travel Tips” (2018) by Gary Takemoto, IJF-A, PJC Director

For the most updated SOR, please review the material on the International Judo Federation (IJF) Referee Commission documents website.

IJF Academy – required for any referee seeking to officiate outside the United States at international events.

Resources are available for the development of the judo community’s knowledge and appreciation of our sport.

• SOR Appendix D (Updated: 01.2026)
  • “Rules Confirmed Ahead of a New Season” by Nicholas Messner (01.2026) 
  • “Updated IJF Refereeing Rules – January 2026” YouTube
• “The History of Kodakan Judo” by Susumu Takahashi (2018)
• “Jin and Rei” by Susumu Takahashi (2022)

In Preparation.

In Preparation.

Whether seeking to earn local or regional certification through the USJF, or to simply educate yourself on rules, check out the USJF’s online course for refereeing procedures and rules. Successful completion of this course is required to referee at a USJF-sanctioned event for non-certified referees (and/or to receive certification following successful practical test at a valid event).