What would happen if you inserted your fingers through your judo opponent's sleeve and gripped? Or went to the ground more than three times without having been thrown? Before you step onto the mat to compete, know which infractions lead to elimination, warnings, or penalties-and what boosts your score. Have a firm grasp on all the refereeing signals, presented here in clear, thorough descriptions, along with photographs and drawings. Check your judogi, or judo suit, to see if it meets the specifications for your level. What most concerns judo enthusiasts, of course, is the fighting. A complete overview of time allowances appears, including contest length, maintaining hold-downs, breaks between fights, and the meaning of matte (an instruction to wait). Examine every aspect of newaza (ground technique), and scoring for both individual and team events. Includes a rundown of competition protocol and a glossary of Japanese terms. It's sure to give you a leg up on your competitor!