Question Number: 27978

Other 11/5/2013

RE: Rec Under 13

Parangarecutirimicuaro of Sacramento, CA USA asks...

This question is a follow up to question 27945

I observed an instance where a parent approached the midfield and handed a water bottle (metal) to his son during a throw in on opposite side of the field away from the play at a U12 Boys game. Is this acceptable?

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

Players are permitted to use a drink bottle at the touch line during a stoppage in play.

The fact that the bottle is metal shouldn't be a concern as the player needs to get rid of it once play resumes.

I wouldn't be too worried about the fact that it came from a parent.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi
No issue here at an Underage game.
A player may take a drink while play continues and may do so only from the touch line and without leaving the field. Players may also drink water during stoppages at any of the boundary lines.
Under no circumstances may water containers of any sort be thrown onto the field, either during play or at stoppages, nor may they be thrown from the field after a player has finished drinking. That is difficult to implememt though and unfortunately it happens quite frequently.
At the higher levels it is highly unlikely that anyone other than the techical staff will be able to offer water close to the field of play and it really only happen at the technical area during a stoppage.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

It is acceptable to hand water bottles to a player at the touchline. Throwing water bottles onto and from the field can be very dangerous, and should not be permitted.

The following questions were asked as a follow up to the above question...

See Question: 27983