The new rules, this is what we like most

We like most of the new rules, loved a few of them (and hated just one). Here's how we value the best rule changes. Let’s sum up the best.

Touching Hips Area
It’s now possible to take a grip on uke’s jacket skirt around the hips area. This avoids shido being given when a player accidentally grips below the belt, which can happen when you reach for an ogoshi or tsuri-goshi. We are sure players will find creative ways to make full use of a grip on the jacket skirt.

Kumi-Kata
The general message is: Give the players more time with their grips to set up for a throw. Don’t stop them so quickly, even if they have an unorthodox grip. We like this rule very much.

Fingers in Sleeve
It’s a good thing that they will no longer penalize having fingers in the opponent’s sleeve or trouser openings. These things were banned on safety concerns but there’s really no danger involved.

Stepping Out
We like that athletes who step out during the course of action are not penalized but that those who intentionally run out or crawl out (during newaza) will be penalized. We also like the rule that if between the two athletes, at least one foot is still in the contest area, there should be no matte.

Newaza is Positive Action
This is an excellent ruling. Previously, only tachi-waza was taken into consideration when giving out shido for passivity. A player could be totally aggressive in newaza but if they didn’t attack much in tachi-waza, they would still get a shido. Now, their newaza attacks count as activity as well. As it should be.

Reverse Seoi
Allowing reverse seoi-nage is a great decision. It should have never been banned in the first place.