Question Number: 35591

Other 6/22/2024

RE: competitive Under 13

Kerri Lynn of Arnprior, Ontario Canada asks...

Due to high temperatures and high humidity, referee (consulted coaches pre-game) called a water break midway thru first half. As the players came over to the bench the coach of the other team was talking to his players about the game and what he wanted them to be focused on, etc. Referee lost it on him said water breaks are for water and coach is not allowed to talk to his players. Coach was given a warning by the referee. I've never witnessed this before and can't find anything in the rules. Please clarify

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Kerri ,
Competition rules/league bylaws should define the weather conditions needed for drinks breaks and cooling breaks to be allowed. The referee although perhaps a little irritable, is partially correct, coaches are not supposed to use it as a coaching session. However it does not prohibit the coach just talking to the players to inquire about their health! "Are you cramping up? How you feeling? A referee might well use the guidelines to determine which type of break is needed. Either way, the referee can add that time to the match duration for the half in which it occurs.

A drink break: is when the game is stopped for players to rehydrate due to extreme conditions. On THIS type of break the players are supposed to -STAY- on the pitch getting the drinks handed to them from their technical crews. Generally its about a minute or so and technically the coach is NOT supposed to use it as a coaching session more to ensure they stay properly hydrated. The restart of play must occur quickly!

A cooling break: is different, more likely a scheduled mid half stoppage when the game is actually stopped to let the players -cool- down. It is not supposed to exceed 3 minutes but I have seen it extended to 5 minute on this break. Here the players can actually leave the pitch to cool down or even find shade and once again technically the coach is NOT supposed to use it as a coaching session more to ensure their health is not compromised! If they try to distract their players with instructions THAT tends to create the over stay of the scheduled but limited break duration. The restart of play again must occur quickly!

Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Kerri
The Laws allow for a drinks’ breaks (which should not exceed one minute) and ‘cooling’ breaks (ninety seconds to three minutes).

That is the focus of these breaks and as the time is limited there should be little time for “coaching”. Having said that the laws allow for coaching which can be delivered by one coach from the technical area at any time.

At the highest level coaching at the water / cooling break happens all the time and the only Law requirement is that the players stay on the field and technical staff on the touch line only. In situations where there is a longer than usual injury stoppage players do go the technical area for water and instructions particularly if it involves a change in the team or playing short.

I know some referees do not like these breaks and some feel that they are being abused yet that is not their concern. If the timing is limited who cares if some advice is passed on in the time allotted. Sure advice can be shouted on during play so why not at a break?