IJF Academy Updated Requirements for 2024-2026
by Nicole Jomantas
(Colorado Springs, CO) – The International Judo Federation has announced the following updates for the application of IJF Academy requirements for coaches:
Beginning Sept. 1, 2024, to coach in Grand Prix, Grand Slam, Masters, World Championships Seniors Individual and Mixed Teams and Olympic Games a coach must have either the Level 1 Instructor, the Undergraduate certificate Judo Instructor (UCJI), or the Master Coach certification.
Beginning Jan. 1, 2026, to coach in World Championships Cadets Individual and Mixed Teams and World Championships Juniors Individual and Mixed Teams, a coach must have either the Level 1 Instructor, the Undergraduate certificate Judo Instructor (UCJI), or the Master Coach certification.
Master Coach certification applications are due on May 15, 2024.
Applications are now being accepted for Semester 1 of the IJF Academy for each of the following courses:
Undergraduate Certificate as Judo Instructor (UCJI): March 4 – July 7, 2024 #
This course is primarily aimed at the basic requirement of a judo instructor. In this course, the black belt judoka is introduced to the modules selected as the most important basics that a judo instructor should know.
Course Fees #
1. USD $900 - NEW students to Undergraduate Certificate Judo Instructor
This fee does not include the participation cost of the practical session. The students or the federation must cover flights and the cost of board and accommodation during the practical session.
2. USD $550 - UPGRADE students to the Undergraduate Certificate Judo Instructor course (online only).
The schedule of UCJI practical sessions for 2024 is as follows:
Jan. 8-14
Santo Domingo Domingo, Dominican Republic
March 11-17
Budapest, Hungary
April 8-14
Lisbon, Portugal
Aug. 19-25
Istanbul, Turkey
Aug. 26 - Sept. 1
Istanbul, Turkey
Sept. 9-15
Walsall, United Kingdom
Sept. 23-29
Tokyo, Japan (Kodokan)
Oct. 6-12
Ostia / Rome, Italy
Undergraduate Diploma in Judo Management (UDJM): March 4 – June 23, 2024 (Semester 1) #
The Undergraduate Diploma in Judo Management course is intended to train administrators and managers for effective work within judo federations, clubs and centers.
Course Fees: USD $1,350
- Semester 1 - Twelve online modules and examinations
- Semester 1 - Submission of Diploma Project of 5,000 words
- Semester 2 - Submission of 10 assignments during Judo Work Placement
Undergraduate Diploma as Judo Coach (UDJC): March 4 – July 7, 2024 (Semester 1) #
This course is designed to introduce performance coaching for coaches who have performed well at the UCJI Course and have gained enough level of coaching specialization at the club level. With this specialization, they can begin to meet their need for high-performance level coaching.
Course Fees
1. USD $1,500 - NEW
- Eligible students who finished the UCJI Certificate with 80% or higher results both in Nage-waza and Katame-waza during the UCJI Practical Session.
- This indicated does not include the participation cost of the practical session! The students or the federation must cover flights and the cost of board and accommodation during the practical session.
- Practical sessions for the UDJC courses will be organized in 2025. The location and dates will be published in the News and Resources section on the IJF Academy platform.
2. USD $1,150 – UPGRADE
- Eligible students who finished the Level 2 – Coach course and finished the UCJI Certificate course in the past. These students must complete the online modules in both semesters.
All individuals interested in participating in these IJF Academy sessions must contact Austin.Leath@usajudo.us and submit applications by Feb. 6, 2024.
For more information about the IJF Academy, please visit https://academy.ijf.org/.