Referees

Judges

Two judges are in each ring to assist the referee. The two judges are there to support the referee by providing an independent evaluation, often from a different vantage point than the referee. Judges are an important member of the refereeing team, with an equal voice but with different responsibilities than the referee. Should a consultation be necessary, it should be short, but long enough to fully understand and weigh the point of view of the others. The referee must accept the support of the team without argument. As a team, the final decision, by a majority of two, will provide the competitors with a decision that is fair and just. Referee team members may rotate between the judge and referee duties.

Judges independently evaluate the progress of the contest and must be prepared to give an opinion for any actions executed. The tasks of judges require the same knowledge, concentration and qualities as those of the referee. Judges must anticipate the actions of the competitors to be prepared to move out of the way so as not to interfere. Judges must not lose visual contact with the competitors. Like the referee, judges are also responsible for monitoring the scoreboard to ensure that the results registered by the timekeepers and scorekeepers are correct. From time to time, and especially after a call has been announced, the scoreboard should be checked for correctness.