Question Number: 32090

Law 5 - The Referee 12/11/2017

RE: competitive High School

alex of fort collins, colorado larimer asks...

I'm becoming a ref and starting to pick up my gear. I thought I didn't need a watch because I already have a tom-tom spark 3 for running, and since it has a timer, would be good enough for reffing. Is it good enough? What functions does my watch have to have? thx

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Alex
More than adequate. Any count up / count down watch is all that is required. I have a Casio Referee watch as my main watch and I have a cheap second watch that I use as back up just in case something goes wrong with my main watch. It was free with some promotion many many years ago and I have got somewhat attached to it due to its large numbers, its simplicity and it just counts up which is all that I need for a backup second watch. I believe i am on my 4th straps and same with batteries. I stop my main watch for major stoppages such as injuries while the second watch keeps running no matter what. I then know looking at both at 45 minutes roughly how much time needs to be added on for injuries and I estimate the time take for the number of substitutions. Once or twice I have forgotten to restart my main watch after an injury and a caution with so much going on. When I looked at the watch some time later I realised this yet my back up watch kept me right with then an approximation to be made on lost time.
The feature that I like best on the Casio watch is that once it reaches 45 minutes or the preset time it starts counting up again so if I decide to add on say 3 minutes the watch will show the count upwards again from 0.00

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

HI Alex welcome to the ranks !
May your skin thicken as the eyes dim and the hearing fades!
The count back up watches are great for added time but you should carry a spare to compare and as a fail safe in case you forget to restart your watch after a stoppage. I use 2 watches of which one is used to stop and start but both run on 45 minute count ups and a timer that I carry inside my jersey around my neck. I also request a 5 minute heads up by my ARs in each half in case I am out of sync and to establish the add-on time to be shown or shouted out at the end of regulation.

Running time in unlimited substitutions, try to enforce strict substitution procedures so as not to use up available time. It is near impossible to stop start the substitutions and many leagues do not allow for it! Also remember added on time is a minimum of play time left, if you indicate 2 minutes do not do 1: 45 you can go PAST 2 minutes within reason plus there are add on situations that occur even during add on time.
Cheers