What Is a Waza-ari in Judo? The Half Score Explained

Not every throw is perfect. Sometimes a child throws their opponent, but the landing isn’t quite on the back, or there isn’t quite the speed behind it. The referee sees it, and gives not an ippon, but a waza-ari.

Waza-ari is the half score in judo, worth one point where an ippon is worth two. It’s the almost-score, the one that confuses every parent on the side.

Here’s how to read it. One arm raised straight up is an ippon, and the match is over. One arm held out and out to the side angle is a waza-ari. The match carries on.

The rule that matters: two waza-ari make an ippon. So if your child scores one waza-ari, then another, the second one ends the match. You’ll see the referee signal, first the side angle then above the head, and it’s finished. That’s the moment parents look at each other and ask what happened. Now you know.

Waza-ari often comes from a throw that would have been an ippon if it had landed cleaner. Or it can also come from a hold down that is between 15 and 19 seconds.

Here’s what an ippon is, so now you know the top two scores.

Watch both in our animated judo throws guide and you’ll start to see the difference between the different throws. 

40 Judo Throws shows your child how to make the throw count.

For the full competition day, start with our parent’s guide.