a) The referee is responsible for the orderly conduct of the bout on the mat, which he must direct according to the Rules.
b) He must command the respect of the contestants and exercise full authority over them so that they immediately obey his orders and instructions. Similarly, he must conduct the bout without tolerating any irregular and untimely outside interventions.
c) He shall work in close co-operation with the judge and must carry out his duties in supervising the bout while refraining from any impulsive or untimely interference. His whistle shall begin, interrupt and end the bout.
d) The referee shall order the return of the wrestlers to the mat after they have left it, or the continuation of the bout in the standing or "par terre" position (on the mat), with the approval of the judge, or failing that, with the approval of the mat chairman.
e) The referee is required to wear a red wristband on his left wrist, and a blue wristband on his right wrist. He shall indicate with his fingers the points corresponding to the value of a hold after its execution (if it is valid, if it has been executed within the limits of the mat, and if a wrestler has been put in a danger position, etc.) by raising the arm corresponding to the wrestler who scored.
f) The referee must never hesitate to:
- Interrupt the bout at exactly the right time, neither too soon nor too late.
- Indicate whether a hold executed at the edge of the mat is valid.
- Signal and announce TOUCHE (fall) after seeking the agreement of the judge, or if this is not possible, of the mat chairman. In order to determine whether a wrestler has actually been pinned to the mat by both shoulders at the same time, the referee must say the word TOUCHE (fall), raise his hand to secure the agreement of the judge or the mat chairman, strike the mat with his hand and then blow the whistle.
g) The referee must:
- Rapidly and clearly order the position in which wrestling must be resumed, when he sends the wrestlers back to the centre of the mat (their feet must be in the central circle).
- Not stand so close to the wrestlers that he obstructs the view of the judges and the mat chairman, particularly if a fall appears imminent.
- Ensure that the wrestlers do not rest during the bout on the pretence of wiping their bodies, blowing their noses, pretending to be injured, etc. In this case, he must stop the bout and ask for a caution (0) to the wrestler at fault and 1 point to his opponent in Freestyle and a caution (0) 2 points in GrecoRoman Wrestling.
- Be able to change his position from one moment to the next, on the mat or around it, and in particular, immediately fall flat onto his stomach to obtain a better view of an imminent fall.
- Be able to stimulate a passive wrestler without interrupting the bout, by standing in such a way as to prevent the wrestler from leaving the mat.
- Be ready to whistle if the wrestlers come too close to the edge of the mat.
- Not interrupt the bout in a danger position situation except if it is an illegal hold.
h) The referee is also required to:
- Pay special attention to the wrestlers' legs in Greco-Roman wrestling.
- Require the wrestlers to remain on the mat until the result of the bout is announced.
- In all cases where agreement is necessary, first ask the opinion of the judge at the edge of the mat facing the mat chairman.
- Proclaim the winner after agreement with the mat chairman at the end of the bout.
i) The referee requests penalties for violation of the Rules or for brutality.
j) The referee, if the mat chairman intervenes, must interrupt the bout and proclaim victory by technical superiority when the wrestlers' scores are 8 points difference in Greco Roman wrestling and 10 points difference in Men's Freestyle and Women's Freestyle. In this situation, he must wait for the action - either an attack or a counter attack - to be complete.