A combination of strength, balance, leverage, timing, and speed are used to defeat one's opponent. By using one's power or leverage on an elbow or wrist joint, the opponent can be held in a painful position and may give up. In this sport, the object is to throw and pin one's opponent. Using a series of throws and choke holds, the judokas, or judo players, try to get each other down on the mat. One player must hold the other on the mat for 30 seconds to be declared the winner.
Intense concentration is used to focus as much strength as possible on the object of impact.
The feet, legs, elbows, head, and fists are used for kicking, punching, defensive blocking, and other techniques. Two types of contest are popular in sport karate. In kata, judges award points for techniques and timing. Kumite are sporting contests in which judges award points for well-timed attacking blows. In karate contests, opponents are not allowed to actually strike each other.