Judo Terminology: A Parent’s Guide to Understanding the Lingo
When your child begins their judo journey, you might find yourself in a world of unfamiliar Japanese terms and customs. As a parent, understanding this terminology not only helps you follow along during training and competitions but also enables you to better support your child’s progress and share in their excitement.
Why Understanding Judo Terms Matters
Learning judo terminology allows you to:
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Have meaningful conversations with your child about their training
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Better understand what’s happening during classes and competitions
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Communicate effectively with coaches and other judo parents
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Help your child practice and reinforce concepts at home
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Feel more connected to the judo community
Basic Dojo Etiquette Terms
Dojo – The training hall where judo is practiced
Sensei – Teacher or instructor
Rei – Bow; shows respect to training partners, instructors, and the dojo
Hajime – Begin (signals the start of practice or a match)
Matte – Wait or stop (halts action during practice or competition)
Sore-made – That’s all (signals the end of practice or a match)
Uke – The person receiving a technique.
Tori – The person performing a technique.
Randori – Free practice or sparring
Osaekomi – Hold-down (the referee announces this when a hold-down begins)
Common Judo Techniques
Standing Techniques (Tachi-waza)
To see a simple animation of each judo throw click the links below:
O-goshi – Major hip throw
Simple explanation: A throw where grab uke around their waist, place your hip against them, and throw them over your hip
Seoi-nage – Shoulder throw
Simple explanation: A throw where you lift opponent onto your back/shoulder and throw them forward
De-ashi-barai – Single foot sweep
Simple explanation: A throw where you use your foot to sweep your opponent’s foot as they step forward
O-soto-gari – Major outer reap
Simple explanation: A throw where you use your leg to reap your opponent’s legs from the outside
Koshi-guruma – Hip Wheel
Simple explanation: A circular throw where you wrap your arm around your opponent’s head and throw using your hip
Ground Techniques (Ne-waza)
For visuals on these judo groundwork techniques please click the links below:
Kesa-gatame – Scarf hold
Simple explanation: A hold-down where you control your opponent from the side, similar to wrapping a scarf around their neck
Yoko-shiho-gatame – Side four-corner hold
Simple explanation: Controlling your opponent from the side
Kami-shiho-gatame – Upper four-corner hold
Simple explanation: Controlling your opponent from above their head
Juji-gatame – Cross armlock
Simple explanation: An armlock where you straighten your opponent’s arm between your legs
Sangaku-jime – Triangle choke
Simple explanation: Using your legs in a triangular position to apply a strangle hold
Scoring Terms in Competitions
Ippon – Full point (instant win)
Awarded for a perfect throw, 20-second hold-down, or when opponent submits
Waza-ari – Half point
Awarded for a throw that’s powerful but lacks some elements of ippon, or for a 10-19 second hold-down
Shido – Penalty
Given for minor rule infractions; three shidos result in disqualification
Hansoku-make – Disqualification
Given for serious rule violations or after accumulating three shidos
Osaekomi – Hold-down in progress
Referee calls this when a hold-down begins
Toketa – Hold-down broken
Referee calls this when the person being held manages to escape
Belt Ranks and Their Meanings
Mon Grades (Coloured Belts)
Different countries and Governing Bodies have different systems of grading but most follow a system of coloured belts:
British Judo Mon Grading Syllabus
Red Belt (1st to 3rd Mon) – Beginner
Yellow Belt (4th to 6th Mon) – First promotion after white
Orange Belt (7th to 9th Mon) – Building fundamentals
Green Belt (10th to 12th Mon) – Developing technique
Blue Belt (13th to 15th Mon) – Advancing skills
Brown Belt (16th to 18th Mon) – Pre-black belt level
For the Senior Grading System in Great Britain see the Kyu Grading Syllabus
The Irish Judo Syllabus has a Shamrock section as well as a Mon section that runs from 2-12th Mon and you can find out more in this book:
United States Judo Federation Rank Requirements
The USJF has the following grading system with suggested requirements at each level. To find out more about requirements go to this page and click on each link to see an interactive pdf.
White/Yellow Belt – advanced Rokkyu
Yellow Belt – Gokyu
Yellow/Orange Belt – advanced Gokyu
Orange Belt – – advanced Gokyu
Orange/Green Belt – advanced Gokyu
Green Belt – Sankyu
Green/Blue Belt – advanced Sankyu
Blue to Purple Belt – Nikyu to Ikyu
Dan Grades (Black Belts)
Shodan (1st Dan) – First-degree black belt
Nidan (2nd Dan) – Second-degree black belt
Sandan (3rd Dan) – Third-degree black belt
And so on up to 10th Dan
Judo Terminology: A Parent’s Guide
Equipment-related Terminology
Judogi (often shortened to “gi”) – The judo uniform
Uwagi – The judo jacket
Zubon – The judo pants
Obi – The belt
Zori – Sandals worn off the mat
Tatami – The mat where judo is practiced
Judo Organizations and Their Acronyms
IJF – International Judo Federation (world governing body)
USJF – National governing body for judo in the United States
OJU – Oceania Judo Union
PJC – Pan American Judo Confederation
Fun Facts: Origins of Popular Judo Terms
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The word “judo” itself means “gentle way” (ju = gentle, do = way)
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Jigoro Kano, judo’s founder, created the term “judo” to differentiate it from jujutsu, emphasizing the philosophical and educational aspects of his new system
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“Ippon” literally means “one point” and comes from traditional Japanese counting
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The coloured belt system wasn’t part of original judo – Kano initially only used white and black belts, with additional colors added later to motivate younger students
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“Koka Kids” got its name after the Koka, a smaller scoring point that was once used in judo (now removed from competition) but perfectly represents beginning steps in judo learning!
Conclusion: Learn Alongside Your Child
Understanding judo terminology allows you to fully participate in your child’s judo journey. Don’t worry about memorizing everything at once – learn gradually alongside your child. Ask questions, talk with other parents, and check out our Judo Terminology Book with 85 Japanese Judo Terms for an easy way to learn together with your child.
The language of judo is part of what makes this martial art special, connecting practitioners to its Japanese origins. When you understand a little Japanese, you’re not just supporting your child – you’re becoming part of the worldwide judo family!
Want to support your child’s judo journey? Check out our Guide to Buying the Right Koka Kids Books For your Child and read more about How Judo Shapes Young Minds on our blog.
For more tips, join Koka Kids Judo to get the weekly the newsletter and the 10 Throws Poster.
