Referees

When the competitors move toward a corner without a judge, the referee should follow but stay inside the out of bounds area to give both judges an unhampered view of the competitors and the edge of the ring. When the competitors move towards a corner with a judge, the referee should take a position just slightly inside either edge and on the opposite side of the contestants to that of the closest corner judge. As the competitors approach, the judge should begin moving while maintaining visual contact with the contestants. He or she should move away from the action in such a way as to maintain a direct sight line along the edge of the contest area that the contestants are approaching to be in a position to determine in or out if necessary. When the competitors move towards a side of the ring, the referee should take a position just slightly inside the edge with his or her back towards the corner without a judge. Referees must recognize when they are in danger of being boxed into a corner and circle one way or the other to avoid the competitors' charge. Once the safety area is reached, the referee should circle opposite the movement of the competitors.

From a theoretical point of view, as a referee gets further away from the contestants the angle that the eyes make in relation to the impact point becomes less steep and the view is more favorable. This is one of the reasons that studies have shown an increase in the number of correct calls when they are made from a greater distance from the competitors.