Coaches must update their players on new rules

A coach owes it to their students to update them on rule changes such as this.

Many years ago when I was training at another club (before I established my own), I would make it a point to update players on the latest rule changes made by the IJF.

There was once, after the IJF made some pretty significant changes, when I told the entire class that some new rules were being implemented and that I would be explaining it to them. One of the outdated senseis said out loud "Nobody interested!" and started laughing.

So I told the group, "Those who are keen can come over here and I'll explain the new rules to you." About half the group came over while the other half went on to practice some 1960s judo from the outdated sensei.

This apathetic attitude towards new rules pervade among many old-school senseis who don't teach it to their players because
(a) they don't agree with the rules and think judo should be stuck in time (circa 1960s).
(b) they themselves are too lazy to learn the new rules
(c) the new rules are too complex for their 1960s mindset to comprehend

Usually it's a combination of all three factor although I suspect laziness is a key reason. Their mindset about new rules apply to techniques as well but that's a topic for another blog post.

Judo is a sport and as a sport it is played according to the rules. The IJF is the world governing body for judo and it sets the rules. Whether we agree with all the rule changes or not, the rules are the rules. Competitions are run according to those rules.

Coaches who do not familiarize himself with the rules are doing their students a disservice for they will go onto the mat with a severe disadvantage. In sports, you win not just through physicality and skills. Strategy and tactics come into play as well when trying to win matches. And you can only play the rules to your advantage if you know the rules in the first place.