Issue 100

April 2013

Gaining respect is important for a referee. You can earn it long before the opening bell

As a referee, the ability to gain compliance and control of the fight you are officiating is a critical skill-set. Most people think that begins when the referee steps into the cage a few moments before the start of the bout. If you are a good referee, it starts long before. 

I’m going to offer some insight into establishing ‘law and order’ in the cage with the traditional pre-fight rules briefing.

MARIO YAMASAKI

An MMA referee for 12 years, Mario has black belts in judo and BJJ. Each issue he discusses the hottest topics in the sport through the eyes of an official

Usually, referees will meet the fighters they are about to officiate before the bout to explain the rules and answer any questions. As a result of having officiated at top-level events such as the UFC, I am well known in the industry. That being said, it isn’t as much of a problem for someone like myself or some of my other well known colleagues to have the instant credibility that goes with longevity in the sport. This credibility translates into fighters giving us more respect and therefore us establishing control.

However, if you are an MMA official just starting out, I want to give you some tips so you can gain the same command. Some of this information seems like common sense but often when I observe other officials many of these points are overlooked.

APPEARANCE

Image is everything. It is a given fact in the sport of MMA. You are going to meet the fighters you are assigned to officiate the night of the event during the backstage rules briefing, which takes place several hours before they enter the cage. (Some commissions may want you to do a rules meeting with the fighters and corners the night before the event.) 

This is when you are going to make an impression. This is where you, as an official, are going to make your presence known. You’re going to appear either professional, as someone who knows what they are doing and can command respect in the cage, or look like someone who is trying to play the role of a referee and doesn’t belong in the game. 

You need to be able to have good posture, and walk and move with confidence when you meet the fighters and their corners. First impressions are lasting impressions. 

You’ll have more respect if you are in shape and have your uniform looking pressed, and fitted. It shows you take the sport seriously and that you pay attention to the little details. Remember to get a haircut, shave, and shower; pretend you are going for a job interview because in a sense you are. You are being evaluated by the fighters, corners, the commission, the promoter and the fans. Generally our uniforms are black because they are a commanding color; however, color means nothing when you are sloppily dressed.

COMMUNICATION

Speak clearly, distinctly and not too rapidly. This is important when going over the rules and also when you have to communicate with the fighters in the cage. 

If you speak too fast, you can appear to be out of control and nervous. Speak loud enough where there is no doubt as to what you have said and use plain and simple language: ‘stop’ means ‘stop.’ 

This is for the rules meeting, but it also applies for inside the cage as well. Inside the cage, your hand signals must be sharp and clear and given with authority.

KNOWING THE RULES

Memorize the rules and instructions that you will be going over with the fighters and the corners. I have watched other referees pull out a cheat sheet and read over all the rules and fouls when they go over the instructions. 

You won’t have this sheet with you in the cage, so if you don’t know it by memory chances are you shouldn’t be officiating. Anyone can read off of a list. A fighter and his corner want to be convinced you actually know the material and can recall it from memory when their lives depend on it.

NEXT MOTH: PART TWO – CONTROL, CONFRONTATION & CONSISTENCY