THE PROFESSIONAL BOXING REFEREE EVALUATION PROCESS STRIVING TO BE THE VERY BEST

THE PROFESSIONAL BOXING REFEREE EVALUATION PROCESS STRIVING TO BE THE VERY BEST

TABLE OF CONTENTS REFEREE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION... 3 REFEREE EVALUATION GUIDE... 5 NUMERICAL GRADING... 5 COMMENTS ON THE GRADING SYSTEM... 6 CATEGORIES AND GRADES... 7 UNSATISFACTORY... 7 ACCEPTABLE... 7 EXCEPTIONAL... 7 EXCELLENT... 8 SECTION ONE - Pre Bout Procedures... 9 SECTION TWO - Regard for Safety/Judgment... 9 SECTION THREE - Knowledge of Rules... 10 SECTION FOUR Performance in Adverse Situations... 11 SECTION FIVE Ring Prescence... 12 Personal Appearance... 12 Bout Control... 12 Positioning... 12 Movement/Footwork... 13 SECTION SIX - Commands... 13 Voice/Hand... 13 Decisiveness... 13 SECTION SEVEN - Post Bout Procedures... 14 BOXER S STYLE AND GENERAL FIGHT PATTERN... 14 GENERAL REMARKS OF PERFORMANCE... 14 RECOMMENDATIONS... 14 2

REFEREE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION Referee: Date: Location: Bout: VS Pre Bout Procedures Comments: Regard for Safety/Judgment Comments: Knowledge of Rules Comments on Application, Consistency & Judgment: PERFORMANCE IN ADVERSE SITUATIONS Comments: 3

Ring Presence Personal Appearance - Bout Control - Positioning - Movement and Footwork - Commands Voice/Hand - Decisiveness - Post Bout Procedures Comments: Bout Pattern Easy Challenging Very Difficult General Remarks of Performance/Recommendations Comments: Evaluator: GRADES: Unsatisfactory, 0-65; Acceptable / 66-87; Exceptional / 88-99; Excellent / 100-110 OVERALL GRADE: 4

REFEREE EVALUATION GUIDE This guide will assist the designated Commission evaluators in constructively and fairly evaluating their Referees. An evaluation will be completed for every bout in which a Referee officiates. In turn, the Referee will receive an Overall Grade for each bout. After every 5th bout, all evaluations will be reviewed and the Referee will receive his Total Evaluation Score. The Executive Director and or his designee will review all Total Evaluation Scores. Total Evaluation Scores and Commission commentary will be considered to reach an Annual Evaluation Score. Over a period of time, the Referee s performance will be documented properly so as to assure a fair assessment of his ability. Time will validate this system. By having a permanent record of their Referees performances, the Commission will have the ability to fairly assess their competency. Continued improvement and or maintenance of a high level of ability are the goals. All Referee Annual Evaluation Scores will be submitted to the Association of Boxing Commissions. They may also be made available to other entities by written request to the Commission. NUMERICAL GRADING The Referee Evaluation consists of four (4) grade categories that will be assigned to eleven (11) areas of expertise. Each area is graded 0-10 points with a maximum Overall Grade of 110 points. The four grade categories are: 1. Unsatisfactory 2. Acceptable 3. Exceptional 4. Excellent 5

The numerical grading range for each category and for both the areas of expertise and the Overall Grade are as follows: CATEGORY SECTION GRADE Unsatisfactory: 0-5 Acceptable: 6-7 Exceptional: 8-9 Excellent: 10 CATEGORY OVERALL GRADE Unsatisfactory: 0-65 Acceptable: 66-87 Exceptional: 88-99 Excellent: 100-110 Referees should strive for Exceptional and Excellent scores. That is, to receive scores of 8-10 points in each area of expertise and 88-110 points as an Overall Grade. COMMENTS ON THE GRADING SYSTEM This system will identify both strong and weak points in a Referee s ability. Consequently, this grading system leaves one with the possibility of a Referee scoring very well in some areas, yet lower on others. This is not unacceptable per se, unless the low scores are reflected in the areas of Regard for Safety/Judgment, Knowledge of Rules and or Performance in Adverse Situations. In these sections anything less than Acceptable will not be tolerated regardless of high scores in other areas. Referees who receive Acceptable scores will be strongly encouraged to raise their abilities in those areas. The goal of this system is to assist Referees in developing and maintaining their skills so that all of them may be assigned to any Commission sanctioned bout with confidence. Assignments to sanctioned events and recommendations are made at the sole discretion of the Executive Director and are not subject to appeal. 6

CATEGORIES AND GRADES UNSATISFACTORY Section - 0-5 Overall - 0-65 This is the lowest score given. To receive this score in a particular area means that the Referee clearly erred in his performance. Continued unsatisfactory grades will not be permitted. Referees who receive this as a Total or Annual Evaluation Score may be removed from their position and may not be granted a Referee License. ACCEPTABLE Section - 6-7 Overall - 66-87 To receive this score in a particular area means that the Referee satisfied the section s basic requirements, yet did not do so enough to distinguish himself and or overall, erred in his performance. Referees who receive this as a Total or Annual Evaluation Score may be assigned to work selected high profile or regional championship bouts. Referees, who receive this score more often, may not be considered to work world championship bouts. EXCEPTIONAL Section - 8-9 Overall - 88-99 We strive for excellence. However, to be graded consistently in this manner means that the caliber of the Referee is very high. Receiving this score in a particular area means that the Referee surpassed an average performance. This score demonstrates a quality job with little or no deficiencies. Referees who receive this as a Total or Annual Evaluation Score may be assigned to work any Commission sanctioned bout. 7

Referees who receive this as an Annual Evaluation Score may be recommended to other country or state commissions as a candidate for sanctioned events in their area. EXCELLENT Section - 10 Overall - 100-110 Although a perfect score may not exist, consistent Excellent scores in combination with Exceptional scores in specific areas, evaluations, and in Total or Annual Evaluation Scores, clearly demonstrate that the Referee is a top quality professional. To receive this score in a specific area means that the Referee mastered the area s requirements for the bout. Referees who receive this as their Annual Evaluation Score may be assigned to work any Commission sanctioned bout. These Referees will be highly recommended to other country or state commissions as a candidate for sanctioned events in their area. Performances, as well as general conduct in sanctioned bouts, are key guides that the Executive Director will use for assigning Referees, but these are not all inclusive. Overall, the decision to assign or not to assign a Referee to a particular bout is made at the sole discretion of the Executive Director after considering many factors that include past performance and conduct. These decisions are not subject to appeal. 8

The following is a review of the various areas of expertise and the key points of observation that the Referees will be evaluated on: SECTION ONE - Pre Bout Procedures Did the Referee give the dressing room instructions correctly? Did he check the Ring? Did he address deficiencies if any were found? Did he coordinate all pertinent procedures with the Commission Table, Supervisor, Judges, Ringside Physician(s), Timekeeper, Knockdown Judge and Inspectors? Did he check the boxers gloves and equipment? Did he bring unnecessary attention to himself? SECTION TWO - Regard for Safety/Judgment This is the crucial aspect of Refereeing. Disregard for safety and poor judgment is intolerable. Were there any instances concerning safety during the bout that deemed immediate attention? Were they immediately addressed? Was any participant subjected to undue punishment or injury? If so, could the Referee have taken any action to minimize or prevent it? If the bout ended in a KO or TKO, did the Referee correctly stop the bout? Too late? Too soon? Should the bout have been stopped and was not? Was the referee s overall performance conducive to safety? 9

SECTION THREE - Knowledge of Rules The Application and Consistency of the rules is of the utmost importance if we are to ensure safety and fair play. Knowledge of the Rules and good judgment are the primary keys to success. Was the Referee alert to any violation of the rules? Was the Referee fair in applying the rules? Did any participant receive an unfair advantage over his opponent because of an improper action on the part of the Referee? If a knockdown occurred, did the Referee follow the proper procedure to give the count? Proper positioning for the count? Clear count with good hand signals? Good coordination with the Knockdown Judge? If a knockdown(s) occurred, was it called properly? Any missed knockdowns? Any slips called as knockdowns? If the bout ended in a KO or a TKO, did the Referee correctly stop the bout? Too early? Was there any indecision or hesitation in enforcing the rules? Were the commands given clear and concise? Did the Referee appear to have a good working knowledge of the rules? Were there any critical instances during the bout that were not addressed? Was fouling properly admonished? Were there any instances where points should have clearly been deducted and were not? Were point(s) deducted incorrectly? Was the Referee alert and attentive for any rules violations or any improper procedure during the one-minute rest period? 10

SECTION FOUR Performance in Adverse Situations If any serious situations such as late hits, head butts, low blows or other harmful fouls occurred, were they properly addressed? If so, was the Referee s action(s) clear, decisive and fair? If the bout ended in disqualification, were the Referee s actions leading up to the disqualification and the disqualification itself consistent with the rules, fair play and good judgment? Were there any temporary stops of action? Were they handled properly? Did the bout end due to a decision made by the Referee? If so, was the decision a correct one? Was the Referee s demeanor conducive to professionalism or did he appear insecure? 11

SECTION FIVE Ring Presence The perception of the public although at times not accurate, plays an important role in the continued acceptance and development of the sport. It is incumbent on the Referee to present himself in a professional manner in the areas of: Personal Appearance Was the Referee dressed in accordance with the rules? Was the Referee s clothing tapered and neatly pressed? Shoes polished? Belt (if any) in good shape? Was the Referee s overall appearance consistent with good hygiene and professionalism? Clean shaven? Hair cut? Does the Referee appear to be in poor physical condition? Is he well over a normal weight for his height and bone structure? Bout Control Did the Referee exercise his authority and demonstrate the ability and confidence to do so? If the bout was difficult and the boxers became unruly, did the Referee take steps to ensure safety and that the bout would not remain out of control? Basically, was the Referee in control of the bout? Positioning Was the Referee in good position throughout the bout? Was the Referee out of position often? If so, did it occur in a critical moment? If one of the boxers was a southpaw was the Referee in good position throughout the bout? Was there any infringement of the rules not seen by the Referee because he was too often out of position? Too close? Too far? Did the Referee s positioning interfere with the normal flow of the bout? Was the Referee s gaze square to the boxers? Was he looking over his shoulders too often? Did he turn his back on the boxer(s)? 12

Movement/Footwork Did the Referee s movements cause undue attention to himself? Were the Referee s movements complimentary to the boxers? Was his movement fluid? Was it unobtrusive or did it interfere with the normal flow of the bout? Did he move in between the boxers? Did the Referee overly bend, crouch, hold on or bounce off the ropes? Any clapping? Eccentric hand, arm or body movement? SECTION SIX - Commands Voice/Hand If the Referee called out or signaled any commands, were they loud and precise? Were they correct? Necessary? Clear? Understood by the boxer(s)? If a deduction of points occurred, was it clear to the Judges? Did the Referee overly demonstrate emotion while giving his commands? Decisiveness Were the Referee s overall commands distinct and without hesitation? Were there any signs of self-doubt? 13

SECTION SEVEN - Post Bout Procedures Did the Referee cause any unnecessary attention to himself while awaiting the official decision? Did the Referee attend to a TKO d or KO d boxer properly? Did the Referee raise the hand of the winner at the correct moment? Did the Referee demonstrate any favoritism to a boxer? Did the Referee leave the ring before the boxers? Particularly if the bout ended in a KO or TKO? BOXER S STYLE AND GENERAL FIGHT PATTERN This is an important consideration. It is clear that in bouts where boxers are well conditioned, have knowledge of the rules and generally obey the Referee s commands, all goes relatively smoothly. In these bouts most Referees look very good. It is in those bouts where the opposite occurs that a Referee may be challenged. Therefore, noting this is important to the overall evaluation of the Referee s performance. GENERAL REMARKS OF PERFORMANCE In this section the Evaluator should give a brief overall synopsis of the Referee s performance while weighing the ease or difficulty of working the particular bout. Both strong and weak points seen should be documented. This should be a fair constructive assessment of the performance. RECOMMENDATIONS The comments in this section should also be brief and to the point. They should be constructive and fair so as to motivate the Referee in continuing to develop their ability by correcting poor habits and eliminating improper procedures. If criticism is deserved, note it. Again, do so constructively and fairly. Remember, the goal of this system is to develop the skills of all current Referees and to set acceptable standards for potential candidates. 14

15