Question Number: 19453

Law 5 - The Referee 6/18/2008

RE: Adult

Melvin Hagerman of Colorado Springs, Colorado U.S.A. asks...

This question is a follow up to question 13384

I've wondered, since the advent of water bottles along the touchlines/sidelines of fields in warm-weather situations, what do the referees and AR's do about keeping hydrated?

Can refereeing crews carry a plastic water bottle strapped to their waist (as I once saw a photo of a Brazilian top-division referee do), or does the bottle stay on the sideline with the fourth official?

I ask because it occurred to me as I was reading the question #13384, that nearly always at a break the players take water to re-hydrate (even if it's off the opponents' trainer's bag!), but I have never seen a referee do the same thing.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

We tough it out! Maybe if they'd let us wear hats, we could get the apparatus so popular with spring break partiers. You know the one, with holders for two beer cans and a tube that goes to your mouth. We'd use waterbottles, of course.

Seriously, a lot of it is in the preparation. You can't be hydrated on Saturday if you haven't been hydrating all through the week. Even so, on a warm day when I have a series of games, I will drink 2-3 quarts of water at halftime breaks and between games. Most of that will be sweat off. There have been times when my mouth is so dry, I can hardly get the whistle to work. I want to do a quick tweet, and my tongue gets stuck.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Thanks for your concern! Most spectators ignore the referees needs. As Ref Voshall points out, we rehydrate during halftime breaks and between games. I carry a cooler with plenty of sports drink and water as well as some food. I have had on occassion been given a bottle of liquid by one of the teams when they take a break and it is always appreciated. Of course, at higher level of play I'd decline.

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

Typically, I will drink water before the game, during halftime, and at the end. If there is an injury or extended break in action, I might look for a drink if possible and teams are nice about sharing water in most cases.