3. INSTRUCTIONS AND GUIDELINES FOR REFEREES
3.1.General
3.1.1.The Referee is in overall charge of the tournament (Law 17.1). The Referee shall consult with the BWF (or CC) Events Officer in charge if on site, particularly in tournaments at the highest levels and on contract related issues, as well as with the Organising Committee, before taking major decisions.
3.1.2.The Referee's responsibility for appointing Umpires, Service Judges and Line Judges (Instructions 2.2 and 2.3) for all matches may be delegated to Deputy Referees or other Officials (e.g. Umpire Coordinator), but the overall responsibility remains with the Referee. As far as possible, neutral Technical Officials shall be appointed to a match.
3.1.3.The Referee shall lead and manage the Technical Officials for the tournament and ensure that they know and perform their duties in accordance with the Laws of Badminton and the BWF (and when appropriate the CC) regulations and guidelines. The Referee shall hold regular briefings to ensure that all Technical Officials and other stakeholders (Team Managers, Organisers, etc.) are aware of their responsibilities and how best to discharge them, and to make them aware of any relevant decisions taken.
3.1.4.The Referee (or a Deputy Referee) shall be available on the Field Of Play at all times from well before the scheduled start of play until after play is finished for the day. The Referee shall observe play and take all necessary steps to ensure that play is fair and safe for the players and Officials.
3.1.5.The Referee is responsible for keeping BWF (or the relevant CC) informed about the daily results of the tournament. Any major incident during the tournament shall be reported as early as possible accompanied by statements from the Officials involved. After the conclusion of the tournament, a full report using the standard template shall be delivered to BWF (and/or the CC) within the stipulated period.
3.2.Before Arrival at the Tournament
3.2.1.After accepting an appointment, the Referee shall contact the Tournament Director and other key stakeholders (e.g. Deputy Referee, local Deputy, BWF or CC Events Staff appointed to the tournament, if any) to introduce himself and start an initial dialogue to form the foundation of a productive working relationship. Communication channels and responsibilities shall be agreed and coordinated between the Referee and the BWF or CC Events Staff.
3.2.2.The Referee shall be aware of the required timeline (BWF Statutes, Section 5.3.2) for pre-tournament activities (e.g. publishing of the Prospectus, M&Q list, conducting the draw) and shall liaise with BWF or CC office staff to ensure that these activities are completed on time.
3.2.3.Well ahead of the tournament, the Referee shall contact the BWF or CC office to request a copy of the Referee's Report from the previous edition of the tournament if it has not already been provided. The Referee shall familiarize himself with any major issues that were highlighted in the previous year's report. The report as a whole should be considered confidential and not forwarded to personnel outside the Referee team.
3.2.4.The Referee shall, assisted by BWF or CC staff, approve the Prospectus before it is published.
3.2.4.1.The Referee shall check that the Prospectus contains all required information (BWF Statutes, Section 5.1 ("GCR"), Regulation 10).
3.2.4.2.The Referee shall ensure that the provisional schedule contained in the Prospectus (playing hours, rounds per day, number of courts), is realistic and fair to the players while taking into account the needs of the tournament.
3.2.4.3.Advertising of the tournament's schedule of play shall not occur until the Prospectus is approved.
3.2.5.Well ahead of the tournament, the Referee shall send to the organisers a checklist requesting pertinent information to ensure that the key elements required for a successful and smooth-running tournament are in place and that plans are developed to address any gaps.
3.2.5.1.The checklist shall be carefully prepared and adapted to the tournament level and the experience of the organizing committee in order to avoid duplication of work.
3.2.5.2.The initial checklist should focus on items that need to be confirmed well in advance of the Referee's arrival at the venue, as well as any major logistical issues described in the previous year's Referee's Report.
3.2.5.3.The Referee shall include a request for a detailed lay-out covering the Field Of Play. For higher level BWF Tournaments, seek also information on pertinent aspects of the venue outside the Field Of Play.
3.2.5.4.The Referee shall include a request for a transport schedule covering the official hotels, venue, and any other training facilities.
3.2.5.5.The Referee should follow up with the organisers at appropriate intervals to receive updates on any action items identified to ensure that all major issues have been addressed prior to arrival at the tournament. Any followup activities shall be coordinated between the Referee and the BWF or CC Events Staff, when such staff is appointed to the tournament.
3.2.5.6.A secondary checklist covering routine, less critical items and items with a shorter timeline to resolution can be sent by the Referee to the organisers in the few weeks leading up to the tournament, or be discussed individually as necessary.
3.2.5.7.Based on the number of courts that will be used and per any regulations applicable to the level of tournament, the Referee shall ensure that a suitable number of Umpires and Line Judges of appropriate experience and geographic diversity have been arranged/appointed to the tournament.
3.2.6.The Referee shall, assisted by BWF or CC staff, approve the initial M&Q list in a timely manner before it is published.
3.2.6.1.The Referee shall carefully check the initial M&Q list for accuracy around the date of the World Rankings used (BWF Statutes, Section 5.3.2), adjusted and notional ranking calculations (GCR Regulation 11.6), listing of entries in the main draw, qualifying draw or reserve list, and qualifying draw seeding.
3.2.6.2.The Referee shall check that any updates made to the initial M&Q list accurately reflect any withdrawals that have been received since the latest version. If not provided, the Referee shall request a copy of the official withdrawal documentation originating from the player's Member/Team Manager.
3.2.6.3.Upon receiving the Seeding Report, the Referee shall check that the designated seeds in the main draw are correct based on the applicable World Ranking date (BWF Statutes, Section 5.3.2), and requirements around use of adjusted/notional rankings (GCR, Regulation 11.6.4).
3.2.7.The Referee shall approve the draw in a timely manner before it is published.
3.2.7.1.The Referee shall carefully check the draw to ensure that seeds and byes have been placed correctly (GCR, Regulation 11.9), and that separation of entries is in accordance with Regulation 11.11 of the GCR.
3.3.Arrival at the Tournament
3.3.1.The Referee shall make travel arrangements such that the timing of arrival at the tournament is consistent with the details provided in the invitation letter from BWF/CC or with any agreement subsequently made with BWF/CC.
3.3.2.The Referee shall meet with the Tournament Director/Chair of Organising Committee as appropriate, as soon as is practical after arrival to go over all logistical details and resolve any outstanding matters that may have arisen during the pre-arrival communication.
3.3.3.The Referee shall meet with other key stakeholders as necessary prior to the start of the tournament (e.g. BWF/CC Event Officer, Field Of Play Coordinator, Umpire and Line Judge Coordinators, Umpire Assessors, Referee Assessors, Head of Security and TV Coordinator).
3.3.4.The Referee shall review the transportation schedule between the hotel(s) and the competition venue and training venues, if they are at different locations, to ensure it provides for adequate coverage.
3.3.4.1.In particular, the Referee shall ensure that:
3.3.4.1.1.The first trip of each day has adequate capacity and is timed to deliver the players and Technical Officials to the venue sufficiently ahead of the start of play after allowing for local traffic conditions.
3.3.4.1.2.The timing of the last trip of the day has adequate flexibility to account for uncertainty in the time of the conclusion of play.
3.3.5.The Referee shall be familiar with all pertinent aspects of the venue outside of the Field Of Play, and in particular:
3.3.5.1.Ensure, to the extent possible, that the venue infrastructure is safe for players, Technical Officials, other stakeholders, and spectators.
3.3.5.2.Ensure that adequate security has been arranged and that procedures to be followed in the event of an emergency are in place and understood.
3.3.5.3.Ensure that the designated room for doping control is adequate in terms of privacy, security, and amenities.
3.3.5.4.Ensure that any supporting medical facilities (e.g. physio room) are clean and adequate for the level of the tournament.
3.3.5.5.Check the adequacy and functionality of toilets and locker rooms.
3.3.5.6.Ensure that the size and appearance of any media facility(s) and mixed zone are appropriate for the level of the tournament.
3.3.5.7.Confirm the locations of the seating areas for players, Technical Officials, and VIPs.
3.3.6.The Referee shall conduct an initial inspection of the Field Of Play and inform the tournament staff of any remedial action that needs to be undertaken prior to the final walk through. In particular, the Referee shall:
3.3.6.1.Check that the court surface is of good quality and safe for the players.
3.3.6.2.Check that there is adequate space surrounding each court, and that the background is free from extraneous light and light-coloured backgrounds are minimized as much as is practicable.
3.3.6.3.Check that the lighting over each court is adequate and positioned as optimally as possible. If applicable verify that the lighting meets the minimum requirement for TV (BWF Statutes, Section 5.3.4).
3.3.6.4.Finalize the placement of all hardware on the Field Of Play (e.g. positioning of Umpire, Service Judge, Line Judge, Coaches and Court Attendant chairs, A-boards (manual and digital), scoreboards, and TV cameras/microphones).
3.3.6.5.Confirm which areas on the Field Of Play photographers will be permitted to work from.
3.3.7.The Referee shall confirm the locations of Match Control, Shuttle Control, Field Of Play Coordinator, IT Coordinator, and of the Referee desk and medical personnel.
3.3.8.If an Instant Review System (IRS) will be in operation, the Referee shall review the location of the IRS booth. Ensure and test that a suitable back-up system has been established in case communication between the IRS booth and the Field Of Play is interrupted.
3.3.9.The Referee shall confirm with Shuttle Control the procedure for delivery and removal of shuttles before and after each match (i.e. whether this will be done by Shuttle Control or by the Service Judge).
3.3.10.The Referee shall review and approve the practice schedule, and in particular:
3.3.10.1.Ensure that the practice schedule is fair to all players/teams and takes account of the size of the player contingents from each Member.
3.3.10.2.Check that the allotted practice times prior to the start of the tournament are consistent with known arrival times of the players.
3.3.10.3.Confirm that the transportation times between the venue and hotel(s) takes account of the practice schedule.
3.3.10.4.Inspect the practice and warm-up courts. Ensure they provide for safe playing conditions, and that their number and available hours are in accordance as far as possible with the requirements of BWF Statutes, Section 5.3.4.
3.3.11.The Referee shall decide and communicate to relevant parties who will have responsibility for maintaining the official working copy of the Tournament Planner (TP) file at all times.
3.3.12.The Referee shall confirm the location of the pre-match player's assembly point, and make decisions around the logistics of announcement of matches, and for march-on and march-off procedures for players and Technical Officials.
3.3.13.The Referee shall ensure that the provisional schedule for the first day of play is established prior to any changes that may result from the execution of withdrawals and promotions at the Team Managers' Meeting.
3.3.13.1.If not already established (as should be the case for higher level BWF Tournaments), the Referee shall determine whether for the early rounds matches will be pre-assigned to specific courts, allocated on a "next available" basis, or a combination of both (e.g. if live streaming on some courts will be in effect.
3.3.13.2.The Referee shall determine if the Umpires will work in shifts, in teams on pre-assigned courts, or on a rotational basis during the initial days of the tournament. Ensure the details of any such arrangements are finalized prior to the initial Umpire Briefing.
3.3.14.The Referee, accompanied by his Deputy(s) and other key stakeholders, shall conduct a final walk-through of the Field Of Play at a pre-arranged time and verify that all requests and corrective actions identified in the initial inspection(s) have been implemented.
3.4.Meetings and Briefings
The Team Managers' Meeting
3.4.1.Before the Team Managers' Meeting, the Referee shall:
3.4.1.1.Inspect the meeting room to ensure it is of appropriate size and has the necessary equipment (e.g. projector, screen, laptop connecting cable, microphone).
3.4.1.2.Check that the time and location of the meeting has been communicated to all Team Managers.
3.4.1.3.Ensure that a sign-in sheet has been prepared.
3.4.1.4.Check that copies of the draw have been prepared as handouts for distribution at the meeting.
3.4.1.5.Review with his Deputy(s) the material to be covered at the meeting.
3.4.2.The Referee shall conduct the Team Managers' Meeting in a professional but relaxed manner that conveys calm authority and which establishes a sense of approachability. In particular, the Referee shall:
3.4.2.1.Speak clearly, slowly and use simple language.
3.4.2.2.An interpreter may be used if necessary.
3.4.2.3.Pause after each section to allow the opportunity for questions to be raised.
3.4.3.The Referee shall customize the presentation to focus as much as possible on details and logistics associated with the specific tournament in question, including contact details during the tournament, as well as on any recently changed Laws/Regulations.
3.4.3.1.Judge the pace and depth for which the more generic material is covered based on the experience of the Team Managers present.
3.4.3.2.Ensure any material mandated by the BWF/CC office is included in the presentation (e.g. content around ethics/integrity).
3.4.4.The Referee shall execute withdrawals, forced withdrawals, promotions, and substitutions associated with the main and qualifying draws at the end of the meeting.
3.4.4.1.Add any withdrawals communicated at the meeting to those received after the draws were published. Confirm if withdrawn players are present at the tournament.
3.4.4.2.If the Team Manager of a player to be promoted from the reserve list cannot confirm that the player will be present at the tournament and will play, then do not promote that player and instead move on to the next player on the reserve list.
3.4.4.3.When more than one player/pair is to be promoted to the main or qualifying draw, process the promotions drawing both players and positions in the draw.
3.4.5.The Referee shall do a redraw only if play in that draw has not begun and either:
3.4.5.1.An error has been made in the control of entries or in making the draw;
3.4.5.2.In exceptional circumstances, a main draw has been rendered severely imbalanced and there is no qualifying; or
3.4.5.3.A particular qualifying draw has been rendered severely imbalanced after withdrawals and promotions.
3.4.5.3.1.A qualifying draw is considered to be severely imbalanced if, after withdrawals and promotions, one or more qualifying positions (Q1, Q2, etc.) will be unfilled, or the particular qualifying draw is otherwise severely imbalanced.
3.4.6.At the conclusion of the meeting, the Referee shall approve any changes required to the first day's match schedule as a result of the executed withdrawals, forced withdrawals, promotions, and substitutions. In particular, the Referee shall:
3.4.6.1.Ensure that the executed withdrawals, forced withdrawals, promotions, substitutions, and any redraws are entered and documented correctly in the TP file, along with any changed match times.
3.4.6.2.Ensure that the updated TP file is published and a backup copy e-mailed to the BWF/CC office.
3.4.6.3.Ensure that the updated draw and schedule is published online as soon as possible.
3.4.7.The Referee shall document in the Referee's Report any Member whose team or players were not represented at the Team Managers' Meeting.
The Umpires' Briefing
3.4.8.Before the Umpires' Briefing, the Referee shall:
3.4.8.1.Inspect the briefing room to ensure it is of appropriate size and has the necessary equipment (e.g. projector, screen, laptop connecting cable, microphone).
3.4.8.2.Check that the time and location of the briefing has been communicated to all Umpires.
3.4.8.3.Check if there are any by-laws regarding 'Lets' or 'Faults', should a shuttle hit an obstruction.
3.4.8.4.Review with the Deputy(s) the material to be covered at the briefing.
3.4.9.The Referee shall conduct the Umpires' Briefing in a professional but relaxed manner that conveys calm authority and approachability and which promotes a sense of teamwork. In particular, the Referee shall:
3.4.9.1.Speak clearly, slowly and use simple language.
3.4.9.2.Pause after each section to allow the opportunity for questions to be raised.
3.4.10.The Referee shall customize the presentation to focus as much as possible on Umpire details and logistics associated with the specific tournament in question (e.g. location of assembly point, march-on and march-off procedures, number of line judges, any local bylaws regarding 'Lets' or 'Faults', should a shuttle hit an obstruction). In particular, the Referee shall:
3.4.10.1.Remind the Umpires of any recent changes to the Laws and ITTO.
3.4.10.2.Judge the pace and depth for which the more generic material is covered based on the experience of the Umpire crew.
3.4.10.3.If applicable, communicate any special considerations that may apply to the TV court (e.g. intervals are mandatory, IRS is applied).
3.4.10.4.If necessary, review operation of any scoring device that will be used.
3.4.10.5.Remind the Umpires of their obligations under BWF Code of Ethics and Code of Conduct for Technical Officials, particularly as related to betting and wagering, and the use of social media.
3.4.11.The Referee shall communicate details around the disposition of Umpire duties, including neutrality and IRS duties if applicable, for the first days of the tournament (e.g. whether Umpires will work in shifts, on pre-assigned courts in teams, or on a rotational basis).
3.4.12.If present, the Referee shall leave sufficient time at the end of the briefing for the Umpire Assessors to address the Umpires.
The Line Judges' Briefing
The Referee shall:
3.4.13.Meet with the Line Judges prior to the start of the tournament.
3.4.14.Speak to the Line Judges in a manner that conveys calm authority, approachability, and which puts the Line Judges at ease. In particular, the Referee shall:
3.4.14.1.Speak clearly, slowly and use simple language.
3.4.14.2.An interpreter may be used if necessary.
3.4.15.Emphasize to the Line Judges that they are an important part of the Technical Officials team.
3.4.16.Review briefly the Line Judge duties and expectations, and address any questions that arise.
3.4.17.Ensure that the Line Judge Coordinator has been briefed regarding march-on and march-off procedures.
3.5.Court Management and Towards the Finals Day
General
3.5.1.The Referee shall keep aware of the general progression of all aspects of the tournament both within and outside of his direct areas of responsibility. In particular, the Referee shall:
3.5.1.1.Meet as necessary with members of the Organising Committee as the tournament progresses and as specific issues arise.
3.5.1.2.Redirect to the appropriate stakeholders any questions/problems that fall outside of the Referee's immediate area of jurisdiction, but be sure to follow up at a suitable juncture to ensure that the problem has been addressed satisfactorily and the outcome communicated back to the person who raised the issue.
3.5.1.3.At the start and end of each day, aim to boost morale and promote team spirit by conversing with, and thanking, tournament staff and volunteers around the venue who contribute to the overall smooth running of the tournament.
3.5.1.4.On the first day of the tournament observe the mechanics of the general traffic flow around the field of play, efficiency of march-on/march-off, etc., and make any necessary adjustments for subsequent days.
3.5.1.5.Whenever possible during play, the Referee and Deputy(s) should be positioned such that all the courts in use can be easily observed (i.e. when multiple courts are being used the Referee and Deputy(s) should avoid being co-located for extended periods in one area if possible).
3.5.1.6.If necessary, the Referee may go onto court during a match without being called by the Umpire.
3.5.1.7.If IRS is in operation, the Referee or Deputy shall endeavor to watch that any challenge made is administered correctly by the Umpire, and be ready to intervene, if necessary, to ensure that any mistake is corrected before the next rally begins.
Pre-Match Preparations
3.5.2.The Referee shall arrive at the venue sufficiently early each day to carry out all required duties to ensure that play is ready to start on time. In particular, the Referee shall:
3.5.2.1.Walk through the Field Of Play to check that the courts are clean and all hardware is in the right positions (e.g. Line Judge and Coaches chairs, towels/mops).
3.5.2.2.Ensure that all IT functionality is operational (e.g. PA system, Umpire scoring devices, scoreboards, IRS).
3.5.2.3.Ensure key personnel are in place (e.g. Match Control, Shuttle Control, Field Of Play staff).
Medical Personnel
3.5.3.Prior to the start of the first day's play and anytime there is a change to new medical personnel, the Referee shall meet briefly with the Doctor/Medical Officer.
3.5.3.1.An interpreter may be used if necessary.
3.5.3.2.The Referee shall ensure that the Doctor knows that he acts under the Referee's direction and that if called onto court, the Doctor's primary role is to advise the player of the severity of any injury, and not to administer any treatment that may cause undue delay.
3.5.3.3.The Referee shall ensure that the Doctor has basic medical supplies on hand in a portable container (e.g. plasters, scissors, gloves).
3.5.3.4.At all times when play is in progress and well before the first match of the day, the Tournament Doctor (or other medically trained personnel) shall be located courtside or have a direct contact to the Referee in order to assist the Referee on court in case of a player's injury or illness.
Shuttle Testing
3.5.4.Prior to the start of the first day's play, the Referee shall oversee the testing of shuttles.
3.5.4.1.The shuttles should be tested by an active player in the tournament, preferably a male player.
3.5.4.2.All available speeds shall be tested from both ends of the court.
3.5.4.3.Instruct the shuttle tester during the test, if necessary, such that the shuttles are being tested correctly.
3.5.4.4.When assessing the result of the shuttle test, take into account the manner in which the shuttles were hit (strength of shot and trajectory), and whether they were hit from the correct location (over the back line) (Law 3).
3.5.4.5.Communicate the shuttle speed decision to Shuttle Control.
3.5.4.6.Do not communicate the decision regarding the selection of the shuttle speed to be used to the shuttle tester.
3.5.4.7.Retest the shuttles if necessary on a given day if playing conditions change substantially (e.g. temperature and humidity) or it is warranted based on visual observations and/or feedback from Umpires.
3.5.4.8.If the playing conditions do not change significantly and if the shuttles are found to be consistent from tube-to-tube, then it is not necessary for the shuttles to be tested on every subsequent day.
Withdrawals
3.5.5.The Referee shall process any withdrawals, no shows and forced withdrawals that arise after the Team Managers' Meeting according to GCR, Regulation 13.
3.5.5.1.The Referee may stop a qualifying draw match in progress if necessary in order to execute a promotion to the main draw (GCR, Regulation 13.1).
3.5.5.2.Ensure all promotions (PFQ/PFR), withdrawals (WDN), no shows (DNS), forced withdrawals (FWDN), substitutions (SUB), retirements and walkovers are documented correctly in the TP file, using the correct abbreviations.
3.5.5.3.Include all withdrawals subject to a fine in the Withdrawal Report (GCR, Regulation 14.1.2).
Technical Officials Management
The Referee shall:
3.5.6.Look after the general well-being of the Umpires and Line Judges throughout the tournament and ensure they have the amenities necessary to discharge their duties effectively (e.g. food, water, coffee, tea, etc.).
3.5.7.Promote teamwork and camaraderie within the group of Technical Officials while maintaining sufficient distance to avoid the perception of favoritism etc.
3.5.8.Ensure that all Technical Officials abide by the Technical Officials Code of Conduct.
3.5.9.Give daily Umpire briefings as necessary. The briefings should focus on generic feedback from play on the previous day with communication of any systematic adjustments required, passing on any changes to procedures to be adopted for the current day (e.g. changes to march-on and march-off, change in number of Line Judges, etc.), and allowing time for questions, answers and comments by Umpire Assessors if present.
3.5.10.Offer constructive feedback on an Umpire's performance when appropriate based on first-hand observations or when requested by the Umpire, and in particular:
3.5.10.1.Offer such feedback promptly after a match whenever an adjustment in an Umpire's performance is necessary in order to bring it into line with expectations.
3.5.10.2.Offer such feedback in a setting with privacy and free from distractions.
3.5.10.3.Be certain your instructions are understood and subsequently observe the Umpire to make sure they are followed.
3.5.11.Ensure Umpire and Service Judge assignments are made fairly and appropriately.
3.5.11.1.Ensure Umpire and Service Judge neutrality as far as possible.
3.5.11.2.If complete Umpire and Service Judge neutrality cannot be achieved then at a minimum prioritize Umpire and Service Judge neutrality on the TV court.
3.5.11.3.Take note of any matches with significant tension between the Umpire or Service Judge and players, and, if necessary, avoid assigning that Umpire to matches featuring the same player in subsequent rounds.
3.5.11.4.Ensure all Technical Officials have sufficient rest between duties/shifts.
3.5.12.If present, communicate with Umpire Assessors frequently as the tournament progresses.
3.5.12.1.The Referee shall solicit the Umpire Assessors' feedback on each Umpire's performance to help guide your decisions around assignments for the latter stages of the tournament.
3.5.12.2.To the extent possible, the Referee shall accommodate the Umpire Assessors' requests regarding Umpire and Service Judge assignments in order to facilitate the assessment/appraisal process.
3.5.12.3.The Referee has final authority regarding all Technical Officials assignments.
3.5.13.Meet with the Line Judges as needed as the tournament progresses, and in particular:
3.5.13.1.Offer feedback on Line Judge performance and any adjustments needed through the Line Judge Coordinator.
3.5.13.2.Pass on feedback from Umpires and the Referee team to the Line Judge Coordinator on stronger and weaker performing Line Judges so that they can be assigned appropriately in the latter stages of the tournament.
3.5.13.3.If any appointed international Line Judges are present, ensure they are utilized in the most competitive matches and on the more difficult lines.
Players and Coaches Management
3.5.14.The Referee shall deal with any complaints by players, coaches and Team Managers firmly and fairly.
3.5.15.When required, the Referee shall make decisions concerning compliance of a player's clothing.
3.5.15.1.In cases of uncertainty, the Referee should permit the clothing in question and submit a picture of it to BWF after the tournament for review.
3.5.15.2.Be aware of any lighting differences between the assembly area and the Field Of Play that may alter perceptions of colour differentiation between shirts.
3.5.15.3.The Referee has the discretion whether or not to report a player's non-compliant clothing to BWF (or CC) for assessment of fines.
3.5.16.In observing play, the Referee shall ensure that anyone sitting in a coach's chair on the Field Of Play abides by the Coaches and Educators Code of Conduct.
3.5.16.1.The Referee shall take immediate action if a Coach moves the designated chair from its position such that the visibility of any advertising is disturbed.
3.5.16.2.If necessary, the Referee may remove a Coach or Team Manager/Official from the Field Of Play for the remainder of a match, a session, or a day.
3.5.16.3.In the case of repeated or serious offenses, the Referee may remove a Coach or Team Manager/Official from the venue for the remainder of the tournament or part thereof.
3.5.16.4.The Referee shall inform BWF (or CC) of any serious or flagrant breaches of the Coaches and Educators Code of Conduct through the Referee's Report (or through an Incident Report if necessary).
Schedule
3.5.17.The Referee shall approve each subsequent day's match schedule before it is published.
3.5.17.1.The next day's schedule should be published as early as possible on the preceding day (even if the identities of some of the players are not known at the time of initial publishing), but it should not be published until the order of play, and if appropriate, the court assignments are finalized.
3.5.17.2.In developing the next day's schedule, solicit input from the relevant stakeholders (e.g. BWF/CC Event Officer, TV Coordinator, Tournament Director).
3.5.17.3.Requests from TV around the order of play and court assignments should be accommodated, if possible, as long as no undue hardship to any player results.
3.5.17.4.Any player is entitled to a minimum of a 60-minute interval between matches (GCR, Regulation 11.3), except in Junior tournaments, Para-Badminton tournaments, and qualifyimg rounds of other tournaments where 30 minutes applies a minimum interval between two matches. The Referee shall, however, seek to provide a longer interval between any two matches of a given player, and in particular between a player's matches in the same event.
3.5.17.5.Ensure that opposing sides in a match do not have disproportionately different rest times since their previous round matches in that event.
3.5.17.6.Where possible, consider having a variety of events scheduled in a given timeslot to maximize spectator interest and overall presentation.
Final Stages of Tournament
3.5.18.The Referee shall ascertain and communicate to the rest of the Technical Officials if there will be any changes in security procedures/accreditation requirements etc. for the semi-finals and finals due to the presence of VIPs.
3.5.19.The Referee shall approve any reconfiguration of the Field Of Play for the semi-finals and finals, etc.
3.5.19.1.As the number of courts is reduced, the objective for any Field Of Play reconfiguration should be to provide the most attractive presentation for spectators and TV, and best utilize any extra space created.
3.5.19.2.Communicate any changes to march-on and march-off procedures to the Umpires and Line Judges, and to the announcer.
3.5.20.Particular care should be taken when determining the order of the semi-finals and finals. The Referee should take into account factors such as TV requests, spectator interest, considerations for players in multiple finals (i.e. rest time and playing singles before men's and women's doubles (usually), and participation of host Member players). Seek input from all relevant stakeholders, most particularly the BWF (or CC) Event Officer if present on any contractual obligations that must be respected.
3.5.21.Umpire and Service Judge appointments for the semi-finals and finals must be carefully considered and, after taking neutrality into account, should be based on factors such as observed performance throughout the tournament, experience level, presentation skills, and teamwork exhibited during the tournament. Solicit input from Umpire Assessors, if present.
3.5.22.The Referee shall ascertain from the tournament organizers the plan for the award ceremonies, and shall participate in the ceremonies if requested.
End of Day's Play
3.5.23.At the end of each day's play the Referee and Deputy(s) should debrief with each other and with other key stakeholders as appropriate (e.g. Tournament Director).
3.5.24.Obtain the quantities of shuttles used during the day and shuttles remaining both from the TP file and by a physical count to ensure that there is a sufficient quantity left of appropriate speed for the number of matches remaining.
3.5.25.Ensure the TP file is published and a back-up copy sent to the BWF (or CC) office at the end of each day's play.
3.6.Injuries, Illness and Incidents
3.6.1.The Referee shall be called on court by the Umpire or intervene on his own initiative to handle cases of injuries, illness or incidents, as well as shuttle speed issues when necessary.
3.6.1.1.When called by the Umpire in case of injury or illness, the Referee and the Doctor shall immediately go on court. The Referee shall first speak to the Umpire to be informed of the relevant facts and to remind the Umpire to time the delay due to the injury.
3.6.1.2.The Tournament Doctor's duty is to examine the player's injury and quickly determine whether it is medically advisable for the player to continue to play. The decision, however, which shall be taken as fast as possible, remains with the player. The Doctor may apply a quick relief, such as a bandage on a bleeding injury or a spray, but no time-consuming treatment is allowed except in the regular intervals and then only if the Doctor estimates that the treatment can be completed (or nearly so) before the interval ends.
3.6.1.3.For matches between players/pairs of the same Member in Grade 2 – Levels 2-4 tournaments or in the World Championships, the Referee may initiate a retirement/withdrawal of a player against his wishes if the Doctor's advice is that it is not in the player's best interests to continue playing.
3.6.1.4.The Referee may allow a maximum of two persons on court to assist and advise the injured player and help with translation. In fairness, the Referee shall allow the opposing side the same consideration.
3.6.1.5.The Referee shall resolve the injury situation as quickly as possible and well within a few minutes so that play can be resumed or abandoned. The Referee may need to point to potential disqualification if it is suspected that the player is exploiting the injury situation to regain wind or if the player repeatedly hesitates in deciding to continue or abandon play.
3.6.1.6.The Referee shall ensure that there is Emergency Service available (ambulance and hospital) and be aware how to initiate immediate medical assistance. The Team Managers shall be kept fully informed about any medical assistance available.
3.6.1.7.In case of a severe injury, where there is no doubt that the player cannot continue, the regular process (Instructions 3.6.1.2 - 3.6.1.5) shall be disregarded, and the Tournament Doctor shall provide the necessary first aid until the player can be transported to hospital.
3.6.1.8.The Referee shall be aware of any physiotherapy or facilities for physiotherapists available at the tournament and keep the Team Managers informed.
3.6.1.9.As the Tournament Doctor may not be allowed to practice medicine in the host country, there shall be local medical service available at all times to cater for cases of illness among players and officials. The Referee shall pass on relevant information to the Team Managers.
3.6.2.The Referee shall be called on court by the Umpire or intervene on his own initiative in case of flagrant or other misbehaviour resulting in a red card (Law 16.7) or when the Umpire needs his assistance to resolve other issues.
3.6.2.1.Coming on court, the Referee shall first speak to the Umpire (and if necessary the Service Judge) to receive information about the situation, and only afterwards address the players. In case information from other sources is necessary to resolve the situation, such personnel shall be called to the court, with the Referee normally remaining on court until the situation is resolved. While the Referee is on or near the court dealing with the problem, play is deemed suspended, unless the Referee advises the Umpire and the players otherwise.
3.6.2.2.Should the Referee decide to disqualify a player, this player is disqualified from all events of the tournament and in Team Tournaments, from all future matches of the Team Tournament; and a Disciplinary process may be recommended in the Referee's Report. The player's doubles partner may continue in other events of the tournament (GCR, Regulation 31.5).
3.6.2.3.The Referee shall resolve the situation as quickly as possible, explain his decision clearly, briefly and with conviction to the Umpire and the players, leave the court, and play shall resume, if applicable. There shall be no further discussion or appeal.
3.6.3.The Referee shall at all times, when observing play, consider whether the shuttle speed selected before play started still appears to be correct.
3.6.3.1.When called on court by the Umpire because both sides wish to change the shuttle speed, the Referee shall first speak to the Umpire to add the Umpire's comments to his own observations before taking the decision to change the shuttle speed or not. Testing by the players may be performed, but will often not provide valid additional information.
3.6.3.2.When no shuttles of correct speed are available, tipping may exceptionally be done (preferably by the Service Judge or another neutral person), but only as a last resort to continue play.
3.7.After the Tournament
3.7.1.The Referee is responsible for the continued oversight of the tournament after the last match is concluded.
3.7.2.The Referee shall plan sufficient time before leaving the Field Of Play to finalize and duly inform BWF (or the CC) of the results, and to thank all remaining Technical Officials, the Organising Committee and other stakeholders for their contributions. The Referee shall ensure that any doping controls still underway after the end of play can be completed and that arrangements are made for players to return to their hotel before the Referee leaves the stadium.
3.7.3.The Referee shall immediately after the tournament send to BWF (or the CC) a report on withdrawals, yellow and red cards, that may trigger further sanctions.
3.7.3.1.The Referee may decide not to report a card given by an Umpire if the Referee or a Deputy has observed the situation where the card was given and decides that the card should not have been issued.
3.7.4.The Referee shall, no later than two weeks after the tournament is finished, send the Referee's Report to BWF (and/or the CC), using the stipulated standard template.
3.7.4.1.The Referee's Report shall contain all relevant detail but focus on what was noteworthy for the tournament and highlight information that may be relevant for further tournaments in the same venue or by the same organiser.
3.7.4.2.When drafting the Referee's Report, the Referee should consult his Deputy(s). However, the responsibility for the timely delivery and the content of the Referee's Report remains with the Referee.
3.8.Team Tournaments
3.8.1.A Team Tournament is normally governed by specific regulations issued by BWF (or a CC), describing the terms and conditions for entries, method of competition, draw and other particular features of the Team Tournament. In the absence of such regulations, the tournament prospectus shall contain such terms and conditions.
3.8.1.1.Team Tournaments are frequently played in pools and groups, at least in the initial stage, and the BWF General Competition Regulations for play in groups and pools apply (GCR 16) unless specifically stated otherwise.
3.8.2.The Referee is responsible for ensuring that the entries of teams and nominations of players to participate in the Team Tournament are in accordance with the Team Tournament regulations.
3.8.3.The Referee is responsible for conducting the draw (or verifies the result of the draw), and for the overall schedule of play for the ties of the Team Tournament.
3.8.4.The Referee shall decide the time for nomination of teams for the individual team ties and communicate the decision to the Team Managers at the Team Managers' Meeting, unless it is stipulated in the regulations.
3.8.5.Based on the team nominations, the Referee shall decide the order of play for the tie following the process laid down in the regulations for the Team Tournament, if such a process is described.
3.8.5.1.If a process for deciding the order of play is not given, the Referee shall decide the order of play so that, as far as possible:
- no player plays in two consecutive matches, and
- players playing both singles and men's or women's doubles play singles first.
3.8.5.2.Any player playing in multiple matches in a tie is entitled to a 30 minutes interval between matches.
3.8.5.3.Once decided, the Referee shall communicate the order of play to the teams and to the member of the Organising Committee responsible for further publication.
3.8.6.Unless otherwise stipulated in the specific regulations for the Team Tournament, prior to a player's first match in a tie, the Referee may allow a substitute for a player, who, in the opinion of the Referee is incapacitated by illness, injury or other unavoidable hindrance, provided that the substitute player or pair is lower ranked (in the most recently published World Ranking preceding the date of the start of the Team Tournament) than the player or pair being replaced.
3.8.6.1.Any pair unaffected by the substitution shall be left unchanged.
3.8.6.2.A substituted player shall not take part in that tie, but may play again in a later tie in the Team Tournament.
3.8.7.The Referee may disqualify at any stage of a Team Tournament
• Any team which fails to report its arrival at the stipulated time;
• Any team which fails to carry out its required program; or
• Any team that has failed to carry out its obligations or breaches the Rules and Regulations of BWF (or the CC).