The Ref Stop

One or two watches

Valkeen on a lanyard for the win! Only time I carry a spare whistle is when I’m on flag waving duty in case the referee has a mishap
 
The Ref Stop
I have my fitbit to monitor my steps and look at the watch so I know if I start the 2nd half at 12:35 it should end at 13:05. I also wear my casio watch for the stopwatch, luckily its never failed me and I havent had to look at the fitbit for the time check.
 
Two for me, one counts up and the other just shows actual time of day. If 1 fails, it never has, or you forget to start the watch you have the time of day watch to bail you out.
 
After a near disaster with a stop watch battery dying mid-half (completely winged it and fortunately no one queried) during my first season of refereeing, always wore 2 watches after that - Normal every day watch and a Casio sports watch, which I bought just for refereeing and has the option of using preset count down intervals, which proved very handy.

Not long after, had a smart arse parent query how much time I had played in the first half of an u10s match, as I was walking off to get a drink, I hear "Ref, how much time did you play in the first half?" "Exactly 20 minutes" I replied, to which he says "My watch says you only played 18" and I ended it with "I have 2 watches, mine both say 20 minutes and mine is the only one that matters". The look on his face was a picture! :)
 
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Mooseybaby said:
After a near disaster with a stop watch battery dying mid-half (completely winged it and fortunately no one queried) during my first season of refereeing, always wore 2 watches after that - Normal every day watch and a Casio sports watch, which I bought just for refereeing and has the option of using preset count down intervals, which proved very handy.

Not long after, had a smart arse parent query how much time I had played in the first half of an u10s match, as I was walking off to get a drink, I hear "Ref, how much time did you play in the first half?" "Exactly 20 minutes" I replied, to which he says "My watch says you only played 18" and I counted and ended it with "I have 2 watches, mine both say 20 minutes and mine is the only one that matters". The look on his face was a picture! :)
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Yes I have used a couple of come backs on anyone querying the time

"I have two watches and they both work"

"After doing this for a while, I can at least tell the time"
 
I always wear two watches, no matter what position on the referee team I assume. I just don't feel right without that second watch - I feel like I'm missing something. My everyday watch/fitness tracker is a Garmin Fenix 5, which is very much overkill. However, I enjoy wearing a really nice watch and this one is the best watch I've ever owned. My second watch is a Limit watch, which I bought from England and really like. It has large numbers and fits well under a wristband.

I've even ingrained that into my 13-year-old, as he always wears two watches no matter what position he takes on the crew.

I always carry a whistle on a wrist lanyard and cards with me when I work as an AR. If I have to step into the center (or, in the US, if the center can't continue and we have to convert to a basketball-style two-referee system - it is accepted under our non-IFAB high school and college rules), I'm ready.

I usually do carry a third watch, which is a cheap Timex Ironman, in my bag. If the center is going to use his/her phone to keep time, I give the center my third watch. I then tell them to take their game fee and buy a $15 digital watch with a stopwatch at Walmart or Target after the game.
 
Always two, Apple watch (which I set off Strava on at KO, also helps if other watch stops) and a Spintso (counts up and down, vibrates if you forget to restart it..).

Peasants will say 'you only need a £10 watch', but you could run a 10k race in Brogues, but it's easier not to :angel:
 
Peach said:
Always two, Apple watch (which I set off Strava on at KO, also helps if other watch stops) and a Spintso (counts up and down, vibrates if you forget to restart it..).

Peasants will say 'you only need a £10 watch', but you could run a 10k race in Brogues, but it's easier not to :angel:
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As one of those peasants, when tutoring new referees I always make the point that they need a dependable watch with a stopwatch, alarm and lap time facility . . . e. g. my £9.95 Casio from Argos.
 
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