Referees

Movements by the referee should be fluid, smooth, and dignified. Maintaining good posture with the weight on the balls of the feet allows the feet to glide. All steps should be short, balanced, and at a relaxed pace. Fast movement may denote nervousness or elevated emotions and detracts from the competitors. Referees must learn to limit their movements, generally by taking less steps than those taken by the competitors. A common error with less experienced referees is continual shuffling of the feet in a small area. This unnecessary movement is distracting and takes away from the match. The referee should remain in one place when competitors are fighting in the one spot, but may need to change position slightly after a certain amount of time has elapsed to indicate interest and remain involved with the match. More experienced referees generally plan their steps and when they make a move it is completed to a standstill. Less experienced referees tend to start moving in one direction, then change direction, and often cover unnecessary ground.

When the competitors move toward the edge of the ring, the referee must gain a position to evaluate any potential actions, relying on the judges to watch the line and determine in or out. This requires that the referee be aware of the location of the judges to stay clear of their line of sight along the edges of the ring.