Ippon - Judo scoring criteria

Aug 27, 2026

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Ippon defines the end of a freestyle judo match and requires strict scoring criteria: the thrower must show control over the opponent, apply sufficient force (no soft or rolling technique), and drive the opponent to land largely on the back or back side. If a contestant applies an armlock or strangle and the opponent taps or submits verbally, the bout ends immediately; otherwise the referee can call Ippon to stop the match for safety. Throws or holds that miss elements are scored as 4, 2, or 1 points based on duration, landing position, and control changes.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages8

Reading Time20 min

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Ippon (Throw)

Control and force requirements

Ippon (Armlock or Strangle)

Referee stop authority

4 Points

4 Points (Throw)

4 Points (Hold-down)

2 Points

2 Points (Throw)

2 Points (Hold-down)

1 Point

1 Point (Throw)

1 Point (Hold-down)

1 Point (Breakdown)

1 Point (Guard Pass)

1 Point (Guard Sweep or Rollover)

Control Change Rule

Breakdown, Guard Pass, and Guard Sweep = 1 Point

Ippon (Throw) The match ends with an Ippon throw by one contestant. There are several important criteria that must be met for an Ippon to be scored. They are; (1) Control…the thrower must have control of his opponent as he throws him. (2) Force…the throw must be performed with force. No soft or“rolling” Ippons are scored in Freestyle Judo matches. (3) Largely on the back or back side…the athlete being thrown must land primarily on his or her back or back side. Ippon (Armlock or Strangle) The match ends when one contestant armlocks or strangles his or her opponent. The opponent signals difeat by tapping out or by submitting verbally. If the referee deems that the contestant who has the armlock or strangle applied cannot (or will not) submit, the referee has the authority to call Ippon and stop the match in the same way a boxing referee may stop a fight to prevent an injury from taking place. 4 Points (Throw) If an athlete throws his opponent, but the throw is missing one or more elements ofan Ippon, the referee will award 4 points. Generally, a 4-point throw is similar in nature, if not exactly, like a Waza-ari. 4 Points 4 Points (Hold-down) If one athlete holds his opponent with an Osaekomi Waza for 20 seconds, the referee will signal 4 points for the pinner and instruct him to attempt to apply a submisison technique by saying “4 points (referee designates color of belt), go for your submission.” 2 Points (Throw) 2 Points If an athlete throws his opponent, but less than for a 4-point score, the referee will award 2 points. Generally, a 2-point throw is similar in nature, if not exactly, like a Yuko. 2 Points (Hold-down) If one athlete holds his opponent with an Osaekomi Waza for 10 seconds to less than 20 seconds, the referee will award 2 points. 1 Point (Throw) If an athlete throws his opponent, but the opponent lands primarily on his buttocks or front side (the opponent must landon his torso, body, hips or thigh(s)…landing on elbows adn knees or hands and knees does not score) or if the athlete being thrown lands on his back, side or back side but not with sufficient force to merit 2 points, the referee will award 1 point. Generally, a 1-point throw is similar in nature, if not exactly, like the old Koka. 1 Point (Hold-down) If one athlete holds his opponent with an Oasekomi Waza for 5 seconds to less than 10 seconds, the referee will award 1 point. 1 Point (Breakdown) If an athlete turns his opponent over onto the opponent’s backor mostly on his back, the referee will award 1 point fora Breakdown. 1 Point (Guard Pass) If an athlete getes his body past his opponent’s legs and moves to the opponent’s side or takes control of the opponent’spositon, the referee will award 1 Point for a Guard Pass. 1 Point (Guard Sweep or Rollover) If an athlete rolls or sweeps his opponent over to his back or back side, the referee will award 1 Point for the Guard Sweep. For clarity and ease of understanding, any form of true Control Change wether it is a Breakdown, Guard Pass, or Guard Sweep merits 1 Point.

FAQs

What conditions must be met for a throw to score Ippon in freestyle judo?

The throw must show control by the thrower, be executed with force (no soft or rolling Ippons), and make the opponent land primarily on the back or back side.

When can armlocks or strangles result in Ippon, and what if the opponent won’t submit?

The match ends when the opponent taps out or submits verbally. If the referee judges the contestant cannot or will not submit, the referee can call Ippon and stop the match to prevent injury.

How are points awarded when a throw or hold-down does not meet the Ippon standard?

Throws missing elements are awarded 4 points (or 2 points if less than 4-point criteria). Holds are timed: 4 points at 20 seconds, 2 points from 10 to under 20 seconds, and 1 point from 5 to under 10 seconds.

Aug 27, 2026

Upload by Aurora