Hi everyone,<br><br>This is particularly relevant to anyone who competes. Please see the <font size="4"><span style="color:rgb(255,0,0)"><b>new rules</b></span></font>, which can be found on <a href="http://www.ijf.org">www.ijf.org</a> (click on &#39;Refereeing &amp; Organization Rules Changes  -  Explanations&#39;)<br>
<br>Among these are:<br><br><ul><li><span style="color:rgb(255,0,0)">No leg grabbing whatsoever</span> (no grabbing under the belt) - Hansoku-make</li><li><span style="color:rgb(255,0,0)">No breaking the opponent&#39;s grip with both hands</span></li>
<li><span style="color:rgb(255,0,0)">No hand shake at the start of the match</span> (Shido)</li><li>Seniors begins at 21 years now</li><li><span style="color:rgb(255,0,0)">Any immobilisation, strangles, arm-bars, chokes starting within the mat area will be continued even if you both move outside the area</span> <br>
</li><li><span style="color:rgb(255,0,0)">Timings for immobilisation are now: 10 seconds Yuko, 15 seconds Waza-ari, 20 seconds Ippon</span></li><li><span style="color:rgb(255,0,0)">Shidos do not count for score now. <span style="color:rgb(0,0,0)">4 Shidos still equates to Hansoku-make. If both opponents at the end of the match have the same score, but one opponent has a greater number of Shidos than the other, that opponent will win. A Shido in Golden Score will also give rise to a win, as well as the first throw</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color:rgb(255,0,0)">Golden score will not be limited to 3 minutes now; it is unlimited time until one opponent throws the other (or wins in groundwork). There is no flags decision<br></span></li></ul><p>These are the main changes, but for the complete list and reasons why these changes are being made, check out the website at the top of the email.</p>
<p><br></p>A quick note for anyone who is unsure: this FRIDAY is the last session of term. Training will begin again on Weds 9th January (note there will be no more beginner classes)<br><br><br>Have a very merry Christmas everyone!!!! :D<br>
<br>See you back in the new year<br><br>Alice<br>