1. Created by Fredrik Johnson Referee

2. The referee’s main task is to protect the fighters from serious injuries. As a referee it’s not all about yourself, you are there for the sport. Referees that have a full knowledge of the rules get respected! Read the rules and try to find errors and ask questions about what you find. It's not difficult be a referee, as long as nothing unfamiliar happens.

3. Make sure the ring is safe, if not make sure faults are rectified before the fights start. Talk to the fight event doctor or medics before the event starts. Be properly dressed! You will get respect as a referee. Act as a role model. Check that all the officials are clear about their duty and everyone knows their job description

4. In the ring.

5. The referee always steps into the ring before the fighters. He is also the last person out of the ring. Be neutral at all times, treat boxers as red and blue. Check both boxers’ equipment when they enter the ring, before wai kru. Move smoothly and show control. Is the doctor in his chair? Don't start the fight if the doctor is not present. Make sure that all judges are in their seats.

6. During the fight.

7. Make commands loud and clear so everyone can hear! Be fair! Follow the rules. You are in control of everything that happens in and around the ring. Make eye contact with the secretariat and doctor during the round. Whatever happens, do not get excited! Remain calm and think, use your team to solve problems.

8. Look at what the fighters are good at. A good referee can read the game and will predict what will happen. Do not push the fighters or jerk the ropes to get the fighters to move away from the ropes. Use Thai commands “chok”, “yoot” and “yak” to command the fighters. The referee decides when a warning should be given. Try to create a triangular shape with fighters.

9. Different types of fouls. Intentional foul to gain advantage. Verbal caution without stopping the fight. Hand signal without stopping the fight. Stop and show the signal. Dangerous foul. Stop and show the signal. Warn and give point deduction. Disqualify. If you are uncertain of what happened? Ask the judge for advice.

10. Stop and separate the fighters when no one is scoring. Use the back of your hands when you separate fighters. Stop and separate before a foul is committed. Have a safe distance when stopping the fight. Never push soft body parts when stopping the fight.

11. If fighters don’t work in the clinch you can break earlier. If one fighter likes to clinch don't break too early. If one fighter is passive, caution that fighter. If both fighters are passive you can warn both of them..

12. Knock down

13. Try to protect and catch the falling fighters’ head. Position yourself right during a standing eight count so you can observe both fighters. Counting shall be as close to a second as possible, but not faster. When counting, count in Thai. Show your fingers clearly, start with the index finger. Stop the fight with “Yoot”. Start the count “Nung”...

14. After the match.

15. Never discuss any decision about a fight with fighters or coaches. Learn from more experienced referees, there is no competition between referees. Give constructive feedback to less experienced referees. A new referee should logically be entitled to make more mistakes than the experienced referee. We are all in the same team (R&J).

16. How to be a perfect referee?

17. There are no perfect referees, only those who make fewer errors than others! Whoever makes the fewest mistakes is the better referee.