What is one of the first responsibilities of the first and second referees at a match?

The first and second referees have a critical role at the start of a match, and one of their primary responsibilities is to establish jurisdiction with the first whistle for serve. This marks the official beginning of the match and indicates that the referees are in control of the game. Their signaling establishes authority, and players must be aware that the match has started.

This foundational action allows them to oversee the match effectively, ensuring that all rules are followed from the very first serve. It sets the tone for the officiating throughout the game. This responsibility is crucial for the fluidity and fairness of the match, as it indicates to both the players and the audience that the referees are actively monitoring the game's progress from that moment onward.

Other responsibilities, such as reviewing calls from monitoring devices or finalizing lineups, occur later or do not hold the same priority at the start of the match, while exchanging duties is not a typical first responsibility in standard officiating practice.