Howdy, y’all! So, you wanna be a boxin’ referee, huh? Well, ain’t no big city slicker gonna tell you how to do it better than good ol’ me. It ain’t rocket science, lemme tell ya.
First off, you gotta know them rules like the back of your hand. Know the rules, that’s what I always say. It’s like bakin’ a pie – gotta have the right ingredients, or it’ll be a mess. Get yourself a rulebook, they call it the “rulebook”, and start readin’. Don’t just skim it, neither. Read it good, understand every word. It’s like learnin’ to plow a field, gotta do it straight or you’ll end up with a crooked mess.
Now, this USA Boxin’ thing, they’re the big shots. You gotta get in with them. It’s like joinin’ the church social, gotta be a member to get in on the potluck. So, go online, they got this thing called a “website”, and find their “website”. You gotta “register” with them every year. It’s like payin’ your dues at the grange, gotta keep up with it. And don’t forget this “SafeSport Certification” thing. It’s somethin’ you gotta do online, just some quiz they give ya to make sure you ain’t a hooligan. They call it “online course”, sounds fancy, but it ain’t nothin’ more than answerin’ some questions. Gotta keep them young’uns safe, y’know. Like watchin’ out for the chickens when the fox is around.
- Register with USA Boxing every year
- Complete the SafeSport Certification course
- Learn the rulebook
Then there’s this “clinic” thing, sounds like somethin’ the doctor does, but it ain’t. It’s where them fellas teach you how to be a ref. Or, if you’re feelin’ fancy, you can take a test online. They call it the “Officials Pathway exam”. It’s like choosin’ between goin’ to the market or orderin’ from the catalogue, both ways get you the same flour. You gotta study up, though. Learn them signals, like when to stop a fight and when to let ’em keep goin’. It’s like learnin’ to drive a tractor, gotta know when to push the clutch and when to hit the gas.
To get to that test, you gotta go to their “website”, that “Webpoint” place. Then click them three little lines they got there. It’s like findin’ the butter in the churn, gotta know where to look. They got instructions there, step-by-step, even an old gal like me can follow ‘em. It’s like followin’ a recipe, even if you can’t read so good, you can look at the pictures.
Step-by-step guide is what they call it. Makes it sound all important, but it’s just followin’ directions, like plantin’ seeds in the spring. First, you log in. Then you find the exam, and you take it. They got all sorts of questions, tryin’ to trick ya, but you just gotta remember what you learned. It’s like fishin’, gotta be patient and wait for the right moment.
Once you pass that test, you ain’t done yet. You gotta keep learnin’, keep practicin’. Go watch some fights, see how the other refs do it. It’s like learnin’ to quilt, gotta watch the old ladies before you can make your own blanket. Start with the small fights, the amateur stuff. Don’t go jumpin’ into a championship match right away. It’s like startin’ with a small garden before you try to farm a whole field.
And remember, bein’ a ref ain’t just about knowin’ the rules. You gotta be fair, gotta be firm. You gotta keep them fighters safe, gotta make sure they ain’t cheatin’. It’s like bein’ a shepherd, gotta keep the sheep from wanderin’ off and gettin’ eaten by the wolves. You gotta have a good eye, gotta be able to see what’s happenin’ in the ring. And you gotta have a loud voice, gotta be able to yell at them fellas when they get out of line. It’s like callin’ the hogs for supper, gotta make sure they hear ya.
So, there you have it. That’s how you become a boxin’ referee, as far as I can tell. It ain’t easy, but nothin’ worth doin’ ever is. Just like raisin’ a family, gotta put in the work to see the rewards. You gotta be dedicated, gotta be tough, and you gotta love boxin’. And remember, always be fair and keep the fighters safe. That’s the most important thing.
Now go on out there and show ’em what you got. And don’t forget to come back and tell me all about it. I’ll be here, waitin’ with a glass of sweet tea and a piece of cornbread. Just like waitin’ for the harvest, gotta be patient and trust that you’ve done your best.
