(Some people have asked me the question about matside coaching in the US. See
e-mail below from USA Judo)

--- On Wed, 12/17/08, <usajudonews@...> wrote:

From: <usajudonews@...>
Subject: USA Judo Statement on Mat Side Coaching
To: awejudo@...
Date: Wednesday, December 17, 2008, 7:03 PM


USA Judo Statement on Mat Side Coaching
 
The International Judo Federation recently announced that, beginning on Jan. 1,
2009, coaches will not be allowed to coach their player from the side of the
tatami during a match. 
 
USA Judo would like to notify all of our coaches, referees, officials, athletes
and general membership that we will continue the practice of allowing coaches to
be mat side during all sanctioned events in the United States of America.  This
will be with the exception of international events hosted by the United States. 
 
We know and understand the importance of continuing this practice in our country
and are grateful to the IJF for allowing us the opportunity to reflect this
change within our national events. We are able to allow mat side coaching due to
the fine behavior and discipline of our certified coaches in this country. USA
Judo wants to continue this practice and hopes to do so as long as we have the
cooperation and professional behavior of our coaches during matches.
 
USA Judo will communicate any changes or adjustments if it is needed in the
future. Until then we are requesting all tournament directors in the USA to
continue to allow mat side coaching. 


USA Judo
1 Olympic Plaza Suite 505
Colorado Springs, Colorado 80909