What does the head official do at a tournament?

According to the CAWO Policies & Procedures Manual (2024 edition), the head official records attendance of on-mat officials at the clinic, oversees the competition (including venue set-up) and weigh-ins, and serves on the Jury. Specific duties include:

• Weigh-in: check the set-up, make sure medicals are done before weigh-ins, and distribute weigh-in sheets and draw numbers. At all National Championships two officials must confirm the weight of each athlete on the scale, and the weight is not recorded until both give the table official the same weight.
• Clinic: check officials' provincial quotas, meet the pairing master about mats and the draw, meet coaches to answer rules questions, and prepare mat assignments for review with the clinician.
• Venue: review the site for safety concerns with the WCL Representative, make sure officials are on their mats on time, ensure the rules are enforced, and discuss any inconsistencies between mats with the clinicians and mat chairs.
• Discipline: enforce disciplinary protocols, including expelling an athlete from the competition and expelling (red-carding) a coach.