Question Number: 24464

Law 18 - Common Sense 1/7/2011

RE: Under 19

Steven of sydney, Australia asks...

when should a drinks break take place n for how long n is time added on or just contuine the time from where it was stopped?

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

Technically, there's no such thing as a drinks break in football. There's no specific provision for it in the laws of the game - but this is where an astute referee realises what he can get away with under the laws.

If the referee permits a team taking, say, a throw in to take an extra long time to do so, and also permits all the players to grab a quick drink of water at the touch line (remaining on the field of play, but drinking at the line), then this is what a drinks break is without having it's own specific provision in the laws. So think of it as just taking a really long time to take a throw in (yes, the referee is signalling for the drinks break, but let's not worry too much about that).

As such, the break is occurring during a stoppage, so the clock will be stopped. Even if it's a game where you may typically not apply stoppage time, I'd apply stoppage for the drinks break - but use your common sense. A summer state league match is going to consider the clock accuracy far more important than, say, a pre-season friendly played during the hot months (in which case just use your judgement on whether to keep the watch running or not).

So generally you won't stop play for a stoppage, but simply delay a restart - and again, use your common sense. Don't interrupt when the team's about to take a quick restart to take advantage of the benefit of numbers or some such.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Steven
There are no time outs or water breaks in the game. The referee can look for a situation such as an injury, substitution, stoppage to allow player access to water at the side line. The referee should simply stop his watch and restart it when play recommences.
Some underage competition rules allow for water breaks and the referee should check with the competition organisers particularly in very hot conditions.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Often depends on the age of the players. We routinely take a 1 or 2 minute water break midway each half here in Georgia for U16 and under as it gets dangerously hot and humid.

The official stance of the USSF on games played below the professional level is:

?In those competitions that do not provide for water breaks, the spirit of the game requires the referee to ensure the safety of the players. Preventing injury from heat exhaustion would fall into that aspect of the referee?s duties. The answer may be summed up in two words: common sense.

?In fact, both the referee and the team officials share in the responsibility to protect player safety. The referee could, at a stoppage called for any reason, ?suggest? the taking of water by any players interested in doing so. The timing of such a break and its length would be at the discretion of the referee. Obviously, the referee could decide to take this approach on his or her own initiative, with or without prior consultation with the coaches.

Answer provided by Referee Gene Nagy

Referee Steven, as you well know, FIFA does not mandate any breaks during the first half or the second half of the game. In British Columbia, on very hot days, we pre-agree to stop for a short break half way through each half. However, in beer leagues they may well stop for 'sponsored' stops. I am looking for such a league myself...