Matta — False Start
Matta (待った) is a false start in sumo. It is called when one or both wrestlers begin their charge before both fists are properly placed on the starting lines, or before the referee (gyoji) gives the signal.
When a matta is called, the wrestlers return to their corners, recompose themselves, and restart the pre-bout ritual. A wrestler who commits multiple false starts in a tournament may receive a warning from officials.
Historically, matta were common because the charge was self-timed — wrestlers would charge when both felt ready. Recent reforms have reduced matta by enforcing stricter adherence to the fist-touching rule, though disputed starts still occasionally occur, particularly in high-stakes bouts where nerves run high.