What is the official role of the referee in terms of scoring points?

The official role of the referee in fencing primarily focuses on observing and ensuring adherence to the rules of the sport. This includes making judgment calls on actions that take place during the bout, such as determining the validity of a hit and whether it has been executed in accordance with the established regulations. The referee is trained to assess the situation in real-time, make decisions based on the rules, and maintain a fair contest between the fencers.

While the scoring of points is part of the referee's responsibilities, it is closely tied to their role in enforcing the rules rather than simply adding up scores or coaching. The referee must ensure that each action is legal to determine if points can be awarded, supporting the game's integrity. This capacity to maintain control and uphold the standards of the match is critical to the sport of fencing. Thus, the focus on adherence to rules underscores the importance of the referee's role in facilitating fair competition rather than primarily engaging in scoring or directly coaching fencers.