The mat and boundary actions
IJF · 2026The standard IJF contest area is 8 × 8 m to 10 × 10 m, surrounded by a safety area of at least 3 m; major events have stricter dimensions. A boundary line is not an automatic stop: a continuous action begun inside can remain valid under the specified conditions.
The rule
The standard IJF contest area is 8 × 8 m to 10 × 10 m, surrounded by a safety area of at least 3 m; major events have stricter dimensions. A boundary line is not an automatic stop: a continuous action begun inside can remain valid under the specified conditions.
In practice
New techniques begun after both athletes are outside are generally invalid. A continuous throw or immediate counter may finish nearby, no farther than 2 m into the safety area. Effective continuous groundwork can also continue outside. Deliberately leaving to avoid fighting may earn shido; keep following the referee rather than deciding the boundary outcome yourself.
Sources & approach ↗