A part of the etiquette of Judo, the rei, is a tradition which reflects the respect and discipline that permeates the unique activities of our sport. The guide for bowing, therefore, should be followed in a respectful fashion.

All standing rei should be at an angle of 30 degrees as measured at the waist.

1. Initial Rei-Opening ceremony

1.1 While the contestants are lined up on the competition area, as the last activity of the opening ceremony, all the referees are to be lined up, side by side, in front of the contestants and team officials, facing the joseki.

1.2 Upon the order of kiotsuke, rei, team officials, competitors and referees bow towards the joseki.

1.3 Immediately, the referees make a half turn counter-clockwise facing the contestants and upon the order of rei, all bow towards each other.

1.4 Then, in order and in accordance with the programmed events, the referees, team officials and contestants leave the competition area so the tournament can begin.

2. Final Rei-Closing ceremony

2.1 While the contestants are lined up on the competition area as the last activity of the closing ceremony, the referees are to be lined up, side by side, in front of the contestants, facing the joseki.

2.2 Upon the order of kiotsuke, the referees make a half-turn counter-clockwise facing the contestants and on the order of rei, all bow towards each other.

2.3 Then the referees make a half-turn counter-clockwise facing the joseki and upon the order of rei bow towards joseki.

2.4 After that, in order and in accordance with the programmed events, the referees and contestants leave the competition area, ending the event.

3. At the Beginning of the individual Contest

3.1 Before the first contest of each session of the shiai, the first team of designated referees walk along the outside edge of the competition area in single file (judge/referee/judge) to a centralised position before the contest area and facing the joseki, then step up to the competition area.

3.2 Once in the centralised position on the competition area, standing side by side, the referee and judges bow towards the joseki.

3.3 From there the referee and judges walk forward onto the danger area, now on contest area, where they bow for a second time toward the joseki.

3.4 While in the danger area the referee and judges bow towards each other. The referee takes a step backwards, while the judges turn to face each other for the bow.

3.5 Immediately the referee and judges take their positions. The judge that reaches the chair first remains standing in front of the chair waiting for the other judge and together they sit down in unison. This same seating procedure should be followed after each conference.

3.6 For the first contest of each session of a shiai, the referee is to ensure the first two contestants comply with the provisions of sub-section 9.2.

3.7 The first team of referees should leave the competition area following the bowing procedure in section 6.

3.8 The judge with the shorter distance should walk slower and the other judge should walk faster so that both judges meet the referee at the same time for the bow.

4. Following Referee and Judges

4.1 After the first team of officials designated for the first contest, all subsequent groups of referees and judges, before taking their positions, should follow the bowing procedure as established in 3.1, 3.2 and 3.5.

4.2 Each subsequent team of referees, with the exception of the last team of each session, are to leave the competition area follow the ceremony outlined in section 6.

5. Exchange of function between the referee and judge

5.1 Following a contest, once the result has been announced and the contestants have left the contest area, if the referee is required to exchange positions with a judge, both referees should approach each other within the red danger area. Once facing each other they should bow before taking their new position. Passing each other, the new referee walks on the inside, taking the shorter route, to the hajime position.

6. Referee team leaving the competition area

6.1 Following a contest, once the result has been announced and the contestants have left the contest area, if the referee and judges are to leave the contest area, they should walk towards the outer edge of the competition area. Facing the joseki, from a centralised position, with the referee in the centre, in unison they should bow towards the joseki and then leave the competition area.

7. Referee team at the end of the Shiai

7.1 Following the last contest of each session and after the result has been announced, in addition to having complied with sub-article 9.6, the referee and judges should walk towards the red danger area and once inside, facing the joseki side by side, with the referee in the centre, they should bow towards the joseki.

7.2 While in the danger area, the referee takes a step backwards and the judges turn to face each other to bow, and finally the three bow towards each other.

7.3 The referee and judges then walk towards the border of the competition area to a centralised position, facing the joseki, with the referee in the centre, they bow towards joseki and then leave the competition area

8. Contestants entering and leaving the competition area

8.1 Upon entering and leaving the competition area, the contestants should bow towards the joseki.

9. Tachi Rei between contestants

Contestants are required to adhere to the guidelines in this bowing guide and the IJF Refereeing Rules. Contestants who do not bow in accordance with these guidelines will be requested to do so. Those that refuse will be reported to the IJF Sports Director or Tournament Director. Under the authority of the Directors of the event the contestant will be disqualified from further competition and in the case of a medal contest, will be stripped of the medal and/or placement.

9.1 The contestants should move forward to the centralised position on the edge of the contest area and bow, then the contestants move forward onto the contest area to their respective marks and bow.

9.2 The first two contestants of each day of a tournament, before their contest, should comply with the following:

a) Standing face to face behind their corresponding marks, at the directions of the referee, the contestants should turn towards the joseki.

b) Upon the order of rei, they must bow.

c) The contestants should turn and face each other again to follow 9.3 of these guidelines

9.3 The two contestants, standing behind their corresponding marks and without requiring any orders must bow simultaneously towards each other, take a step forward and stand in natural standing position while waiting for the referee to order hajime.

9.4 Once the contest is over and the referee has ordered soremade, the contestants should stand in front of their corresponding marks to await the result. The contestants should at this point have their judogi in order.

9.5 The referee steps forward one step, awards the result and steps back one step, following this announcement the contestants simultaneously take a step back and must bow to each other.

9.6 The last two contestants of each day of a tournament, after their contest has ended, must comply with the following:

a) After following 9.4 and 9.5, and upon the direction of the referee to face joseki, the contestants must follow the dispositions of (a) and (b) of 9.2, then 9.7.

9.7 The contestants move back to the centralised position at the edge of the contest area and must bow, then leave the competition area complying with the provisions of article 8.

10. Team competitors

10.1 Each contest by two teams is considered as a session of a shiai.

10.2 Before the beginning of each team contest the referee and judges should follow 3.1, 3.2, 3.3 and 3.4 then 10.4, 10.5, 10.6, 10.7 and finally 3.5 of these guidelines.

10.3 At the end of each team contest, the referee and judges should follow 10.9, 10.10, 10.11 and 10.12 of these guidelines. Then they should walk to the danger area to a centralised position facing the joseki and bow in unison. After this bow they continue with 7.2 and 7.3 of these guidelines.

10.4 Before each team contest starts, with the referee and judges lined up next to each other, with the referee in the centre and the three facing towards the joseki, the two teams bow together onto the contest area. They then move forward to their mark, facing each other, the referee orders with both hands straight out and hands facing up, the contestants to face the joseki. Upon this gesture, the contestants then turn to face the joseki remaining in single file.

10.5 The referee then orders rei and the contestants bow.

10.6 Immediately the referee directs the competitors to face each other.

10.7 Again the referee orders rei, the teams bow towards each other and move back to the edge of the contest area and bow. It being understood that the contestants bow once more at the edge of the contest area before leaving completely.

10.8 For each individual contest the contestants should follow 9.1, 9.4, 9.5, 9.6 and 9.7 of these guidelines.

10.9 After all individual contests are finished the two teams line up inside the contest area on their mark facing each other. The referee and judges, with the referee in the centre, line up next to each other facing the joseki and lined up teams. The referee takes a step forward and announces the result.

10.10 The referee takes a step back, returning to the original position, and orders rei. The teams bow towards each other.

10.11 Then the referee with the gesture as in 10.4, directs the contestants to turn toward the joseki, remaining in single file.

10.12 Immediately the referee orders rei and in unison the contestants bow toward the joseki.

10.13 After this the contestants should move back to the edge of the contest area and bow. It being understood that before completely leaving the competition area, the contestants should bow again towards the joseki, from the edge of the competition area.

10.14 At that time, in the danger area, the referee and judges bow towards the joseki, bow towards each other and, following the procedure as established in section 7, walk towards the border of the competition area to a centralised position, facing the joseki with the referee in the centre, they bow towards it and then leave the competition area.

Summary

The bowing etiquette sets Judo uniquely apart from other international sports. The gestures are of respect, appreciation and courtesy. The referee and judges have a fundamental role in upholding this uniqueness by ensuring that bowing is done according to these guidelines.