IJF Revises Regulations to Include Matside Coaching

(Colorado Springs, Colo.) - The International Judo Federation recently released new regulations regarding coaching at international events that include the allowance of matside coaching as well as new regulations regarding behavior of coaches and a dress code for coaches.  

The new regulations, which can be found in their entirety by clicking here, state that the coach is responsible for conduct of his athlete from entering the competition venue until leaving it, before and after each contest. Further, coaching will be strictly limited to communication with athlete, tactical advice, encouragement, instructions in unexpected situations, as injury, etc. The coach also will remain sitting on his chair during the contest.

Forbidden behavior of a coach includes the following:

• Any comments or criticizing of the referees verdicts.
• Demanding correction of the referees decisions
• Any abusive gestures toward referees, officials, or public
• Touching, hitting, kicking, etc. the advertising panels or any equipment
• Any kind of behavior showing disrespect to opponent, referees, officials, coach of opponent, his own athlete, public, etc.

The dress code is as follows:

Elimination rounds: national track suit with trousers reaching down to shoes.

For the final block program (TV time): jacket suit with tie.

Forbidden are at any time: shorter trousers, undressed upper body, any kind of head caps and cover, jeans, sweaters or similar sports not related dress, flip-flops

USA Judo will implement the following coaches' dress code for the 2009 U.S. Open, Sept. 25-26 in San Jose, Calif., with the full IJF dress code scheduled to be implemented for all senior international events held in the United States, beginning in 2010:

Dress Code for Coaches at the 2009 U.S. Open

All coaches must adhere to the following dress code during the 2009 U.S. Open Championships.  Failure to adhere will be grounds for removal of coaching credentials.

Acceptable apparel:  national or club team track suit (sweat suit) with polo shirt; business casual attire; dress jeans (no holes or markings); button down shirts or polo shirts. Dress shoes, sneakers (tennis shoes).

Forbidden apparel:  flip flops, sandals, shorts, tee-shirts, hats, head coverings.