Question Number: 26349

Law 5 - The Referee 5/17/2012

RE: Rec Under 18

Larry of Newburgh, NY Orange asks...

For rec games, I tend to add extra time for games in which the ball has to be retrieved away from the field a number of times, or there are injuries. I do so by shouting out loud, 2 minutes of added time, longest ever was 3 minutes in an exceptional situation. Players accept the extra time, but some who are not used to it question if that is allowed. Some refs let the clock run over with no announcement - sometimes I do too, other times I announce the added time. Note, if i say 2 mins, then I stop at 2 mins approximately. Any guidance on this mechanic?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Larry
Referees are not required to announce the amount of added time except in games where there is a 4th official or a competition rule.
General advice is that it is not a good idea as referees can be berated for allowing a few extra seconds after the announced added time when a goal has been scored. If I'm asked by a player during the game I will give them the time remaining. When it gets to added time I simply say that we are now playing added time.
Adding on time for retrieving the ball would normally not be required unless the ball was going significantly away from the field of play causing delays that are excessive. Injuries should be allowed for as well as substitutions.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

I simply add the time on to regulation, and announce how much is left in total when players or coaches ask. If we're 2 minutes from the scheduled stop but I'm going to be adding 2 more, I'll tell them it's about 4 minutes.

One time long ago a coach asked me for the time, and I replied something like, 'We've got 2 1/2 minutes to go, plus 3 minutes extra time.' The coach said he didn't expect me to be so specific.

Remember that in situations where added time is announced, it is the minimum amount. 'Two minutes' means at least 2 minutes, maybe plus some fraction, and plus any additional wastage that happens during those minutes.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Referees are empowered to add time to a half for time lost for a variety of reasons. Unless the ball is taking a significant amount of time (over a minute ) to be retrieved, I would not recommend adding time for that. Same for injuries...unless it is a minute or more probably not needed - but you are free to make that decision based on the game at hand.

As for announcements, I would be judicious about that too. I've been known to let coaches know I will be adding time but I usually do not announce how much. If players ask, I always give them the approximate tome left - they deserve to know (unless the same player is asking every minute...).