Control Ring

Control the Officials

Referees and judges sit through hours of competition. After awhile, everything looks the same; therefore, when it comes time to post their scores, they may only remember out-of-the-ordinary elements of the match. To control the officials, you must ensure they remember you and your performance.

• Attract attention. It is difficult to watch two things at once, so officials tend to focus on just one or the other competitor when watching a match. So, if both competitors land a point simultaneously, each judge will usually score a point for the competitor he or she was concentrating on. Therefore, you must grab the judges' attention at the beginning of the match. Not by doing something strange, but by being the ultimate fighter: uniform perfect, answer loudly, kiai loudly at appropriate times, perfect etiquette, and clean, crisp techniques. Look and act like a competitor that will probably score, and thus should be watched for the score.
• Once you gain the judges' interest, keep it. If you start acting fatigued, they may stop concentrating on you. Once their attention is divided between you and your opponent, your chances of victory decreases, particularly in a close match.

If the match has rounds, start and finish each round strong. Even if you are confident you are ahead, you cannot "cruise" to the end of the fight. Do not take anything for granted. If your opponent finishes with a series of hard, aggressive attacks, you could lose the match.