Question Number: 25173

Law 5 - The Referee 7/5/2011

RE: Rec Under 13

Leah of Thornton, Ontario Canada asks...

Hi,
I recently refereed a U12 game, one team had 8 players and the other team had 16. It was a hot day so the coaches and I had talked about water breaks. The coach of the 8 player team said he would call them. The other coach and I agreed. He didn't call a single water break during the course of the game. I was wondering, was it right of me to allow him to call the water breaks or should I have agreed on a time for them with both coaches?
Thanks

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

IF, and I stress IF, water breaks are necessary for the health and safety of the players, then it is the referee who decides when and for how long these breaks will be. Generally, they are half way through each half and last no more than a minute or two - just long enough for the players to go get water handed to them at the touchline. And, call for the water break at a natural stoppage - when the ball is out of play.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

In an youth match, the referee should call for water breaks during a natural stoppage in play. IMO, the referee should discuss this with the coaches before the match, but the referee should decide when water breaks are appropriate for the safety of the players AND the members of the referee team (who also need to drink water).

There have been rare occasions when I permitted two water breaks during each half. It was that nasty (on a turf field, the ground temperature can easily pass 130 degrees (F)). The second time I suggested the players get water while I 'checked on the condition of the ball.' (It proved to be fine.)

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Leah
The referee should make all calls related to the game. Water breaks are not part of the Laws of the Game yet the referee can delay play at a natural stoppage for a variety of reasons.
I would say to coaches that they should be prepared at all times to take advantage of those natural delays and ask the players to come to the sideline for water. The delays can be for an injury, checking equipment

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Hi Leah. If it was hot in Canada, you can just imagine what it's like here in the Deep South in Late Spring, Early Fall, or Summer. High Schools now have mandatory breaks when the heat index reaches a certain point in all their sports at practices.

When I started out working U10s, I was astounded that parents would send their 9 year old to go run around in the hot Geogia sun for about an hour with just a 12 or 16 ounce bottle of fluid. It''s not a pretty sight watching a 9 year old exhibit all the signs of heat stroke.

I started carrying 2 coolers with me; one was filled with towels and ice, and the other with ice, bottled water and sports drinks.

I believe it borders on criminal negligence to not have mandatory water breaks when the heat index is above 92 and the players are 16 or younger. That said, all this should be discussed before the game and the referee should decide when the breaks take place, how long they should be, and the details of them