Florida Judo Ki no Fuda's Editorial
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Who wants to be a Judo referee?Who wants to be a Judo referee? I have been asked that question many times and have even asked myself that question. A referee usually does NOT get paid more than $25 - these days that might cover the cost of gas getting to the tournament. A referee has to put with the kind of pressure that would tip many people over the edge of craziness. They might get a lunch. Coaches, parents, and sometimes players will yell at them. When they finally come off the mat that get told what they did wrong by the referee commission and/or the head referee. All this and spending whole weekends away from their families - WHO in their RIGHT mind would sign up for a job like this? Well, me, for one. I became a certified referee in 1984 at the age of 16 while I was still an active competitor. My father and sensei, John R. Ellis, and our master mentor and former sensei, Tai Yosheda, instilled into me that I HAD to give back to the sport of Judo. They pointed out that someone cared enough to volunteer for the job of referee to allow me to participate in Judo matches - I realized that without referees there would be NO Judo matches. I became a referee to give back to this sport that has helped me in a lot of ways that I can't explain and that continues to enrich my life. As a referee, I've received my fair share of unfair comments - everyone who has refereed a match knows what I'm talking about. More people need to realize that every referee out there is trying their best, giving back to the sport of Judo, volunteering their time and expenses, and helping you, your student, son, daughter or other relative to compete. If that referee were not there no one would be able to compete. A few different coaches at tournaments have told me that they know the rules better than the referees on the mat. My response to them is to offer them a referee jacket and tell them to come out and try it - not one has taken me up on this offer yet! To be a good referee, you must work on your skills constantly. It is not something that can be perfected in a single weekend, a week, or even a month. You need to read and become familiar with all of the rules of Judo. The latest rules can be found on the internet: http://www.ijf.org/rule/rule_referee.php. You also need to practice – a lot. An IJF-A Referee told me recently, "Judo is the hardest sport to referee because it is the only sport that I am aware of that the referee and judges are basing decisions on the intent of the players while the players are trying to compete with each other." I advise players and coaches to attend the referee meetings and clinics. This not only helps you to keep up to date on the rules but it also lets you know what the head referee wants his/her referees to look for at that tournament. Who wants to be a judo referee? YOU should, and not just because it is a prerequisite for Shodan. Refereeing is a way to give back to Judo, and it might just make you a better Judoka. |