Arenas are notoriously bad places for mobile signal. The KBN referee app was designed for that: scoring must never depend on the Wi-Fi. This guide walks through the app from arrival to the final bell.
Getting started
The referee app is part of the installable KBN app. Officials log in with their own account and are routed to the referee section. Install it on your phone's home screen before the event.
Assigned bouts
The home screen lists the bouts you are assigned to, grouped by event. Assignments are made on the event's bout card by the event's administrator (the branch or KBN World HQ).
Check-in
Scan the QR code on the fighter's licence with the device camera. The app shows:
- Licence status: active, suspended or expired.
- Medical clearance validity.
- Suspension status, including medical suspensions.
- A weigh-in entry: record the weight; the app compares it with the class limit and marks pass or fail.
If the camera cannot read the code, enter the licence number manually.
The scoring pad
For each round, choose one of 10-9, 9-10, 10-8, 8-10, 10-10 or 10-7, record knockdowns and fouls for each corner, and tap Submit round. Scores appear on the live centre within one poll, about three seconds, when online.
Working offline
If your device has no signal:
- Keep scoring normally.
- Each submitted round is stored on the device (in the browser's IndexedDB) with a unique ID.
- When the device is back online, queued rounds sync automatically.
- The server stores each round by its unique ID, so a round sent twice is saved once.
You can switch to airplane mode and continue scoring: nothing is lost or duplicated.
| Situation | Result |
|---|---|
| Online | Round saved on the server immediately; live centre updates |
| Offline | Round queued on the device |
| Back online | Queue syncs; server upserts by unique ID |
| Sent twice | Stored once |
The final result
At the end of the bout, enter the winner, method (KO, TKO, decision, submission or other), round and time. This creates bout records for both fighters with status pending and source referee.
How results are verified after an event →
Good habits
- Charge your device fully and bring a power bank.
- Open the app and your assignments before doors open, while you have signal.
- Keep a paper scorecard as backup.
- Do not share your login.
Troubleshooting
| Issue | What to do |
|---|---|
| Camera will not scan the QR | Enter the licence number manually; check lighting |
| Rounds not appearing on the live centre | Check signal; queued rounds sync when online |
| Wrong bout open | Return to assigned bouts and select the right one |
| Device battery low | Use a power bank; keep a paper scorecard |
Myths and facts
| Myth | Fact |
|---|---|
| No signal means no scoring | Rounds are queued on the device and synced later |
| Tapping submit twice duplicates a round | Each round has a unique ID; the server stores it once |
| The app decides the result | Officials decide; the app records and the result is verified |
| Anyone can open the referee app | Only officials with the referee role see assignments |
Before the event
Log in, open your assignments and check the camera works for QR scanning while you still have reliable signal. Then keep the device charged and within reach.
Data and privacy
The referee app shows officials only what they need: licence status, medical clearance validity, suspension status and weigh-in information. It never shows identity numbers or medical diagnoses. Scores and results are tied to the official's account and recorded in the audit trail.
For event administrators
Assign officials to bouts on the event's bout card builder before the event. Officials then see their assignments grouped by event. After the event, check the pending results created by officials and verify them against the official record.
Frequently asked questions
QCan I score if my phone has no signal at all?
Yes. Rounds are queued on the device and synced when you are back online.
QWill my scores be duplicated if I tap submit twice?
No. Each round has a unique ID and the server saves it once.
QCan fans see my scores?
The live centre shows judges' running totals and round scores.
QDoes my final result update the ranking immediately?
No. It creates pending bouts that an administrator must verify.
Figures in this article are computed from the KBN register at the time of reading. View, like and share counters on this demo site are sample values.