Leg Grips and Blocks
With reference to the new IJF rules on leg grips and leg blocks, which came into effect on 1st January 2010, you may find the following comments to be helpful.
- Any attacking action must be genuine and effective before the player can follow with a leg grip combination technique or the opponent can counter with a leg grip.
- Simultaneous or quasi(almost)-simultaneous attacks and leg grips are not allowed from the first attacker or as a counter from the opponent.
- If a player takes a cross guard position, any leg grip counter must be effected without delay. The cross guard must be a genuine grip before a leg grip counter is allowed.
At future competitions, there will undoubtedly be healthy debate during contests as to whether the Leg Grip action was simultaneous with the first technique or not but that's judo!
It’s important for referees to allow the action to be completed if there is any possibility that a score may be gained from a valid counter technique. Any penalty can be applied after the action has been completed.
Please note that the penalty for Leg Grip offence applies to defensive actions as well as attacking actions.
The new rule applies to all levels of Judo including the U10 and U12 categories and players in these categories must be penalised in the same way as Seniors.
Finally, you will be pleased to know that the BJA have decided to apply a Shido for the first Leg Grip/Block offence and Hansoku-make for the second such offence at all BJA competitions for at least the rest of 2010.
The current rule on the first Shido being ‘free’ also applies to leg grip and leg block offences.
If you have any queries or comments, please don't hesitate to contact me by email
Alan Medley
Y & H Refereeing Representative
National Refereeing Commission Member
29th January 2010