Losing track of time

[DC Braveheart]

Here's a story from a friend of mine who was coaching in a tournament this past weekend ...

'Interesting thing happened during our last game on Sunday. Mid-way through the second half, the center ref comes over to the coaches side and asks us if we have any idea how much time is left - "I forgot to keep track" - he tells us.'

Was this referee right to ask the coaches how much time was left? What would you have done? BTW, there were 2 ARs for this game - should one of them also track the time 'just in case'?

[schmuckatelli]

This has happened to me, I'm embarassed to say. The first thing you do is check with the ARs, who should also be keeping time. I check my watch fairly frequently, so I tend to notice if I haven't started on time. The last thing you want to do is check with the coaches, but if you must, talk w/ both at the same time so at least you can all agree.

[Scott Zawadzki]

Has happened to me as well. I was working alone at the time. Fortunately it was a low level town travel game. As I ran by the benches I looked at my watch and said to the coaches "Wow!...How much time do you guys have left." They both told me the same amount of time. I said "I thought my watch must have been wrong, doesn't seem like we've played that much yet."

It's all about the dodging and the weaving!

Scott

[Claymore]

This has happened to me, as well. Back when I was wearing only one watch, I was doing a game where I had bumped into a player during the second half. He must have inadvertantly pressed the "stop" button, because by the time my sixth sense was telling it was time to start looking at the time, I still had 30+ left! Luckily, my pre-game covered that event and I went to the junior AR (away from the coaches) to get the correct time. This should always be a part of the pre-game conference if you have ARs. Going to the coach should be an absolute last resort.

[Scott Zawadzki]

It's always good to mark the actual time that you're starting each half as well on your scorecard. This'll get you to at least within a minute unless your battery goes on you.

Scott

[whipple]

Originally posted by Scott Zawadzki
It's always good to mark the actual time that you're starting each half as well on your scorecard. This'll get you to at least within a minute unless your battery goes on you.

Scott

Keeping a "paper clock" is always a good practice. On your game report you are asked both the scheduled KO time and the actual time.

Sherman

[Scott Zawadzki]

Originally posted by whipple
Keeping a "paper clock" is always a good practice. On your game report you are asked both the scheduled KO time and the actual time.

Sherman

Sherman has a very nice game card on his web site with a spot specifically designed to write in the start time of each half. If you haven't seen his game card, it worth checking out. Very efficient and you get 4 game cards per sheet of paper.

Scott

[ProfZodiac]

Originally posted by Scott Zawadzki
It's always good to mark the actual time that you're starting each half as well on your scorecard. This'll get you to at least within a minute unless your battery goes on you.

Scott

That's what I do. I've missed clicking the button maybe three times in my career, but it's a habit of mine to see what actual time I started the half, so I was OK.

What bugs me is when coaches complain about me letting the game go another 45 seconds beyond when my watch beeps.

[AAGunner3]

I too mark (or try to) the time the opening and halftime KO started.

But I try to remind my ARs that they are also responsible for tracking the time. I even instructed them when the game gets under 5 minutes left, to flash me the appropriate number of fingers against the background of their shorts. Came in handy this weekend during my tourney when my watch accidentally got bumped. I basically had it covered based on what time the game started, but it sure was nice to get that reinforcement from my ARs too!

[Tame Lion]

Originally posted by ProfZodiac
What bugs me is when coaches complain about me letting the game go another 45 seconds beyond when my watch beeps.
Disable the beepers! They are nothing but trouble!

[penquinref]

Originally posted by Scott Zawadzki
Sherman has a very nice game card on his web site with a spot specifically designed to write in the start time of each half. If you haven't seen his game card, it worth checking out. Very efficient and you get 4 game cards per sheet of paper.

Scott


Scott, DO YOU have a link?
Thanks

[Scott Zawadzki]

Originally posted by penquinref
Scott, DO YOU have a link?
Thanks

I'm sorry. I don't think I'm out of line passing this out as Sherman has his website listed in his profile which is:

http://www.whipplesargent.com/ref/

When you get there, click on the link for Referee Game Card. You need a PDF reader to open it.

Scott

[nsa]

Originally posted by Tame Lion
Disable the beepers! They are nothing but trouble! AMEN.

When you do forget to start (or restart) the watch just listen to the sidelines. At most youth soccer games there are dozens of spectators who clock the game. When you start hearing all their beepers go off, then add your own stoppage time. :)

[jc508]

I always ask the AR's to keep a back-up clock.

I suggest that the AR's do not use a function that will have an alarm on it. Coaches hearing the AR's alarm inevitably get upset when the referee continues the match for add-on time.

I like the idea of asking the coaches and saying that you could not believe that much time had gone by and your watch may have been wrong. I have found that admitting a mistake or the possibility that you may have been wrong usually helps overall match control (if you only do it once during a match).

As a referee, I always wear two (2) watches, one count-down and the other a chronograph. I have had six (6) watches "die" on the field during a match. I guess this means that I have done a lot of games or that I buy cheap watches (or both).