It doesn't make sense to train exclusively for IJF rulesets when most people who join Judo are not looking to become olympic champions; they are looking to learn self defense.
That said; I understand that competition, and training as if you do compete (even if ultimately you don't) increase skill acquisition much more quickly.
I also realize this mea s gyms will continue to focus their curriculum on sport rules even if a large percentage of the student body never competes.
So, a couple imperfect solutions:
Train for multiple rulesets, not just IJF.
Some proposed rule changes:
ippon should only be awarded for high impact throws.
ippon should be awarded for high impact throws that land less than perfectly flat back.
Any non-high impact throw you must maintain top position for 3 seconds to score the throw.
Extra unpopular opinion but I think ippon should be either a perfect throw onto their back with power where the thrower remains standing and in good balance, or a throw into their back where the thrower lands in and maintains a stable top position
Both those options demonstrate dominance in different ways
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u/IlVeroDominico Jun 07 '25
It doesn't make sense to train exclusively for IJF rulesets when most people who join Judo are not looking to become olympic champions; they are looking to learn self defense.
That said; I understand that competition, and training as if you do compete (even if ultimately you don't) increase skill acquisition much more quickly.
I also realize this mea s gyms will continue to focus their curriculum on sport rules even if a large percentage of the student body never competes.
So, a couple imperfect solutions:
Train for multiple rulesets, not just IJF.
Some proposed rule changes: ippon should only be awarded for high impact throws.
ippon should be awarded for high impact throws that land less than perfectly flat back.
Any non-high impact throw you must maintain top position for 3 seconds to score the throw.
Back takes should count as osaekomi.