Yudo: Korean Judo



Yudo is the Korean pronunciation of judo. It is a combination of the Japanese emphasis on technique and the European style of power fighting. Since the 1984 Summer Olympics, Korean fighters have proven to be a powerhouse in Olympic and World Judo Championships. 

The Contest Area 

The yudo contest area is eight to ten meters square and surrounded by a three meter safety area. Two judges sit at opposing corners of the ring and one referee controls the action on the mat. The judges and referee uses flags to indicate scoring techniques. The contestants are divided by weight class and the length of each match is determined by the age and gender of the contestants. Adult male matches are five minutes long, adult female matches and middle/high school male matches are four minutes long, middle school female matches are three minutes long and all elementary school matches are three minutes long. The competitors wear different colored uniforms to make it easier for spectators to follow the action, with one wearing a white uniform and the other a blue uniform. 

Techniques Overview 

There are four classes of techniques in yudo: throwing, pinning, choking and arm locking. For pinning, you must hold the opponent securely on the floor for ten to twenty-five seconds to score. However, if the opponent holds your leg with his legs, the technique is invalidated. 

Choking techniques are the most dangerous and can result in unconsciousness if applied for an extended period of time. The arm lock is the only locking technique permitted in yudo. Other types of locks, such as leg or ankle locks, are illegal in competition. 

The three preceding classes of techniques are executing primarily on the ground. The principal standing technique in yudo is throwing. Throws can be made by attacking the arm, hips, legs or entire body. Yudo has an extensive system of throwing techniques. 

To score a valid throw, you must drop the entire back of the opponent on the mat. The throw must also be powerful and demonstrate the intention to defeat the opponent to score a full point. A throw that is off balance or made at an angle will score only a half point. If the buttocks of the opponent hit the floor before his back, the throw cannot be scored as either a full or half point.


Scoring 

The primary methods of scoring are the hanpan (full point) and julpan (half point). One hanpan or two julpan wins a match. A hanpan is the equivalent of a knockout in boxing or taekwondo. Lesser scoring credits (yuhyo or hyokwa) can also be accumulated to determine the winner of a contest. 

Deductions or penalties can be assessed against a player for a number of infractions including: attacking the shoulder instead of the arm (shoulder throw), throwing the opponent upward and to the rear to counteract a throwing technique, planting the head on the mat during the execution of a ground technique, intentionally stepping out of the contest area to avoid being scored on, choking the mouth instead of the neck, and various techniques used to stall to protect a lead. Violations primarily fall into the areas of protecting the safety of the competitors and encouraging and active offensive strategy on the part of both players.