Technical Memo – Application of Yuko ahead of the British Championships

FAO: Athletes, Coaches and Referees

To support greater clarity and ensure a consistent experience between domestic competition and settled international practice, please be advised that from the British Championships (13–14 December 2025) onwards, the technical application of yuko will be aligned more closely with the IJF interpretation.

This means, a greater range of front-to-side (or side-to-front) landings will be scored yuko, including ‘near to front’ landings with at least some angle to toward the side – ie. ‘not flat’.

Actions involving a landing on the knees or clearly flat on the stomach/front, as well as those without a judo technique will continue not to be scored.

Waza-ari will be scored at 90° and beyond, with yuko scored where there is any incline toward the front.

For clarity, there are no changes to the rules themselves or to the rulebook. Any further clarifications will be addressed in both the referee and coaches briefings.

National Refereeing Commission

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