Do You Know Why Soccer Referees Officiate with Two Watches?

Do You Know Why Soccer Referees Officiate with Two Watches?

In this article, you’ll discover why they do so, in case you’ve not already done so.

Let’s get started!

Some time ago, in 2005, to be precise, a man asked a question about why football referees wear two watches while officiating a soccer match.

His exact question, word for word, which was posted on an online forum, was:

“I am watching the Chelsea / West Brom match on FSC, (Fox Soccer Channel – see below) and at the start of the game, they showed the referee as he started the match.

He had two watches on; one on each arm. He “started” them both at the same time.

Why is that? Is one watch a backup, in case one malfunction or breaks, or is there another reason?”

A soccer referee cross-checking information from his records

As a soccer fan or spectator, have you ever taken note of a football referee wearing two watches while officiating a match?

Sounds weird.  Isn’t it?

It shouldn’t!

If you have not made such an observation, it may be because you do not observe soccer referees closely, especially in the area of their official dressing.

Back to the man mentioned above.

After asking his question, some soccer referees saw it and decided to answer it.

Do You Know Why Soccer Referees Officiate with Two Watches?

Below are some of the answers from those referees.

First Referee

The real reason most referees at the top levels wear the two watches is to keep track of the extra time that will need to be added at the end of each half.

One of the two watches is continuously running. The second watch is stopped during injuries, time-wasting, substitutions, the giving of cautions and red cards, etc.

Thus, when your one watch which you have not stopped is getting to 45 minutes you can look at the other one and accurately determine how much time should be added to the half.

Second Referee

I find it easier to write down the actual time of starting the first and second halves.

Then, knowing the game time, I know when the half should end.

I also use the countdown timer on the same watch to keep track of the time played. BTW, (By the way – see below) I do keep a second watch in my pocket in case the first one breaks or falls off.

Third Referee

I have one watch that counts both up and down — I just keep the up counter running the entire time for reasons discussed above regarding stoppage time or malfunction of some sort.

I also generally make a mark on my game card as to when in real-time (i.e., 9:02 am) I started a half so I can further back up in case something goes really wrong, as I can then just stop the half at 9:47 in a pinch.

Of course, this isn’t the best solution given that if the watch entirely malfunctions during the game, I’ve got nothing, but that’s why you have the junior AR (assistant referee) back you on time/cards/goalscorers.

If he/she doesn’t have a watch, I do put on a 2nd, which I also do for assessments.

But if you think that’s bad — you should hear my story about having 2 whistles and the time it really came into play…

Fourth Referee

There really are times when the watch fails during the match.

I had it happen during a match on a hot day. Working up a good sweat I look at the watch as it begins to fade to nothing. I didn’t have a second watch that day. I rarely go without a second watch now.

As someone mentioned, the winning coach is always happy to tell you when the time is up. Or just wait to hear all the soccer dad’s watches go off. Then blow the whistle about 30 seconds later and watch them all knowingly nod and murmur, “added time”. 🙂

Fifth Referee

Using the second watch to keep track of added time is a great idea – until your primary watch dies during the match and all you have is your added time watch.

My indoctrination to wearing two watches occurred when the start-stop button on my primary watch fell off in the middle of a match.

I then had to rely on my second watch. When I add time, I usually add a minute for any injuries when the coach comes on the field and 30 seconds for each instance of obvious time-wasting.

If I need to be more specific (such as for a major injury), I write notes on my game card.

Out of habit, I even wear two watches when I’m doing high school games and a scoreboard clock is available. Talk about being anal. 🙂

Sixth Referee

I’ve done the two-watch-thing for a couple of years now – it’s a habit for me.

But what about watches that beep? I set one to count up, one down, but if I forget I’m wearing them, as I try to do (seems to go quicker that way), the one that counts down will beep.
I had a CR (centre referee) call me out for that when I had my one-watch beep on the expiration of the first half as his AR (assistant referee).

Since then, I’ve stopped the counting-down-watch within the last five minutes and gone that period with only the counting-up-watch.

Any thoughts?

Seventh Referee

When I’m an AR (assistant referee) or if I’m the CR (centre referee) in a match with a scoreboard, I let my watch(es) count up.

I don’t want anyone to confuse my beeping watch with “official” time. When I’m keeping official time, my main watch counts down.

In a USSF (United States Soccer Federation) match, I’ll hear the beeps and then start looking for added time.

In a high school/college match with no scoreboard, the beeping means the half’s over. This is important when, by rule, the ball is dead when the time expires.

Eighth Referee

Another reason a referee may officiate with two watches is to provide a backup in case of any eventuality that may cause the main watch to malfunction while the game is still on.

This, however, does not mean that a football referee cannot officiate with only one watch.

He could, but the possibility of making mistakes or committing errors becomes high.

My Own Question Answered!

The eight referees, mentioned above, have answered my question, Do You Know Why Soccer Referees Officiate with Two Watches?

So, there’s nothing more for me to add since the horses have spoken.

The only thing I may have to add here is that it is not all soccer referees that I see wearing two watches at the same time when officiating a match.

While some do so, others put their second or backup watch in their pockets and refer to it whenever it is necessary to do.

Do You Know Why Soccer Referees Officiate with Two Watches? THE END.

PS: *** Words in brackets, above, were inserted by me to enhance the understanding of my readers, who may not understand the abbreviations used by those referees.

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