I’m excited to connect with fellow referees on this forum and hear about your experiences! My name is Chris Penrose and I’ve been a referee for the past 6 years. Over this time I’ve had the honour of serving as the head referee for two grassroots tournaments in our local community, Synergy Pro Round Robin and Australian Grappling League, which has been incredibly rewarding. I’m also involved as a head referee in a professional grappling association, the M16 Open (which is free to stream on YouTube).
Being a referee has given me a unique perspective on the sport and I’d love to learn more about the journey and experiences from other referee. What challenges have you faced? What are some of your most memorable moments on the field or mat? Whether you're just starting out or have decades of experience, your insights would be invaluable.
Looking forward to hearing from you all and sharing stories and advice!
I started as a referee round about 30 years ago under IJF rules in Judo.
I had around 1.000 matches on different levels as a referee and it ended with an „International Masters“ tournament in Bremen in 2000. -The rules changed in a direction which was straight against my understanding of Judo.
Later I had a few referee -jobs on different regional and independend JJ and grappling competitions (called „kingz of cauliflower“ and „lions cup“ and funny stuff like that).
During the last years there were two or three comebacks under JJIF-rules during the regional state championchips in northern Germany (they ran out of referees and I was available…).
Thats it.
But generally I am interested in an exchange of experiences about ref matters until today.☝🏼
"Hi Chris, I started as a referee round about 30 years ago under IJF rules in Judo. I had around 1.000 matches on different levels as a referee and it ended with an „International Masters“ tournament in Bremen in 2000. -The rules changed in a direction which was straight against my understanding of Judo. Later I had a few referee -jobs on different regional and independend JJ and grappling competitions (called „kingz of cauliflower“ and „lions cup“ and funny stuff like that). During the last years there were two or three comebacks under IJJF-rules during the regional state championchips in northern Germany (they ran out of referees and I was available…). Thats it. But generally I am interested in an exchange of experiences about ref matters until today.☝🏼"
Thank you for your reply. I compete in Judo and my Sensei encourages me to referee some Judo. I like the idea of the ear piece and side referees in Judo who help with decision making. In BJJ I’ve had a few close matches that I needed pick a winner. Quite stressful when you need to make these decisions on your own.
Currently I am working my way up through ISKA so I can referee MMA matches. Quite a long process getting recognised to referee in MMA regardless of my skills being a referee in other combat sports. I think being a referee in MMA will be exciting.
The „hantei“- decision with two referee peers in Judo is a good thing.
But at smaller competitions (when I was the only referee) I sometimes talked to the scoreboard operators to check out their knowledge and abilities before the matches started.
And -if necessary- I discussed my pov with these guys later to prevent unintentionally „robbery incidents“.
Usually that looked to the audience like an open minded ref asking randomly some scoreboard guys.
Just one of my little referee secrets….😇😅
That is a sneaky yet smart way to avoid conflict from the coaches and audience. I will suggest this idea of having ear piece and mic for the professional competitions I am apart of.
The Hantei is similar to the two referee ibjjf use at each corner? I like the idea of a video review and the other referee giving their contribution via audio.
Yes, it is the same idea:
There is a main ref in the center and two other refs sitting on a chair face to face but at different corners of the mat just following the match from different angles.
After a match with no score (or equal scores) the main referee shout out „Hantei!“ and exactly that moment the additional refs have to rise left or right hand depending on their individual decision who won. Added to the main ref there is always a 2:1 decision (the main ref has to raise his hand in the same moment calling out „hantei!“).
Headsets and an additional vid ref would be perfect but did not happen in my experiences so far.
While you guys are sharing experiences. What ever happened to refs stopping matches before something breaks or tears at white and blue?
In Holland that doesnt seem to be a thing anymore. Am i just old, cuz ive seen my members dislocating some joints, when I feel it should’ve been stopped
Started as a ref for local events about 25 years ago, started as IBJJF Ref 15 Years ago, stopped after some years, since then I was ref for ADCC national and AJP international on and off. For some years now I ref DJJV, JJEU and JJIF events, serving as the european head ref.
"While you guys are sharing experiences. What ever happened to refs stopping matches before something breaks or tears at white and blue? In Holland that doesnt seem to be a thing anymore. Am i just old, cuz ive seen my members dislocating some joints, when I feel it should’ve been stopped"
Athlete safety should be the referees number 1 priority.
"Started as a ref for local events about 25 years ago, started as IBJJF Ref 15 Years ago, stopped after some years, since then I was ref for ADCC national and AJP international on and off. For some years now I ref DJJV, JJEU and JJIF events, serving as the european head ref."
That is awesome. Thanks for sharing. The M16 open use ADCC rules. I’d love to referee for an ADCC Open in an eastern or western state of Australia. They don’t ever hold competitions in my city. I’m currently working my way up to be recognised for my skill in AFBJJ and hopefully travel nationally state championships. My goal is to one-day be asked to referee at the Pan Pacific Championships for IBJJF or the Australasian Trials for ADCC when it’s held in Australia.
