Ippon: an immediate win
IJF · 2026A throwing ippon requires a recognised judo technique with speed, force, landing on the back and skilful control through the landing. Simply falling or rolling onto the back without a clear technique is insufficient. An uninterrupted rolling landing can qualify; the referee evaluates the whole action and its continuity.
The rule
A throwing ippon requires a recognised judo technique with speed, force, landing on the back and skilful control through the landing. Simply falling or rolling onto the back without a clear technique is insufficient. An uninterrupted rolling landing can qualify; the referee evaluates the whole action and its continuity.
In practice
Groundwork can also produce ippon: an announced hold maintained for 20 seconds, a submission signalled by tapping at least twice or saying Maitta, or loss of consciousness under the specified conditions. Release immediately when the referee stops the action. These are competition scoring principles, not instructions for practising dangerous techniques.
Sources & approach ↗