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Why do referees wear two watches?

Author

James Craig

Published Jan 15, 2026

Extra redundancy

Aside from the calculation of stoppage time, referees wear two watches as a way of redundancy in case one watch malfunctions or simply stops working in the middle of a half. After all, watches are manufactured objects that are sometimes subject to mechanical failure.

What watches do referees wear?

On the field, the substitute's boards are shaped like a TAG Heuer Carrera watch with a tachometer scale, and bear the name of the Swiss watch brand. The referees also sport the TAG Heuer Connected smart watch, with a dedicated application.

Why did Maradona wore two watches?

Ronaldo also told a heartwarming story involving his late friend, explaining why the Argentina legend wore two watches. It had previously been reported that Maradona wore two watches when he travelled: one to tell the time in the city he was in and the other to tell the time in Argentina.

Why do referees wear wristbands?

What's the purpose of the black wristband worn by NFL referees? Greenwich, Conn. Farmer: Those wristbands are to remind officials of the down, where the ball should be spotted relative to the hash marks and even which team has possession. The wristband has a string on it that can be looped around a finger.

Why does a ref have 2 whistles?

When you are attempting to control the placement of the ball in mid-field then short sharp blasts with clear hand signals will ensure that you achieve this. So make certain you carry two whistles and do not have the habit of running around the field with it in your mouth.

35 related questions found

Can a referee get a red card?

A red card for violent conduct may be issued because the assistant referee had identified and attempted to communicate the offence to the referee before play restarted.

What do referees do at halftime?

At halftime, officials are given the opportunity to communicate in the privacy of the locker room and take time to discuss the events of the first half. The officials can also use that time to refocus and concentrate on making the second half of the game even better.

What does the C mean on a football referee?

The position will be called center judge -- the new official will wear a “C” on his back --and be located in the offensive backfield opposite the referee.

What does DJ stand for in NFL referee?

The head linesman (H or HL), or down judge (DJ) in the NFL, CFL, and the 2022 version of the USFL, stands at one end of the line of scrimmage (usually the side opposite the press box, always with the chain crew), looking for possible offsides, encroachment and other fouls before the snap.

Why do NFL refs throw their hat?

If a referee notices a player steps out of bounds by his own decision then it is his job to throw his hat at the location in which the play stepped out. This is done to show that the player is now considered ineligible.

Why do football referees wear two watches?

Extra redundancy

Aside from the calculation of stoppage time, referees wear two watches as a way of redundancy in case one watch malfunctions or simply stops working in the middle of a half. After all, watches are manufactured objects that are sometimes subject to mechanical failure.

What watch do soccer referees use?

Casio W800H-1AV

This light, durable, and practical Cassio watch is undoubtedly among the best options for soccer referees. Its resin case offers long years of use. The ten years lasting lithium battery set an excellent cost-quality relationship.

What watch do rugby referees wear?

Every RBS 6 Nations referee will wear a special Tissot T-Touch Expert watch to "assist them in performing their match duties with the ultimate in accuracy and style".

What watch do UEFA referees wear?

The new watch is based on the Hublot Big Bang e connected watch launched earlier this year, with a number of additional features that enrich the UEFA Champions League fan experience. The 500-piece limited edition's lightweight ceramic case and rubber bracelet are both in UEFA Champions League core blue.

What does an NFL ref make?

Although the official figures are not usually revealed publicly, after the last agreement between the league and the NFL Referees Association it was known that in the 2019 season, referees received earnings of $205,000 on average. This equates to around $12,000 per game, a pretty significant figure.

What is the H referee in football?

The official that wears a white hat is known as the head referee. This is the “leader” or the “captain” of the referees. This official will talk to the coach if there's an incident, be responsible for removing players from the game, and announce if there's a penalty.

How do refs spot the ball in football?

After an offensive player gets tackled, its normal to see that player place the ball one or two feet further than the spot where his body hit the ground. The referee gets the ball and places it on the field.

What is the S on college referee shirts?

The side judge (S or SJ) works downfield behind the defensive secondary on the same sideline as the head linesman. Like the field judge, he makes decisions near the sideline on his side of field, judging the action of nearby running backs, receivers and defenders.

Why do basketball refs have numbers?

NBA referees have a number on the back of their uniforms to make them easier to identify. The league uses the numbers for tracking calls made during the games. Fans are also able to quickly search referees by their number through a simple google search.

Which referee spots the ball?

On the field, the Umpire is responsible for spotting and assessing line play penalties: holding, illegal blocks, illegal contact, illegal hands to the face, etc. They also count the number of offensive players on the field.

What happens if a football hits a referee?

A player plays the ball which then touches the referee (inside the penalty area), remains on the field of play and goes directly into the goal. What is the referee's decision? The goal is disallowed and play restarts with a dropped ball for the defending team goalkeeper in their penalty area.

What happens if the referee scores a goal?

If the goalkeeper throws the ball directly into the opponents' goal, a goal kick is awarded. If a referee signals a goal before the ball has passed wholly over the goal line, play is restarted with a dropped ball. The team scoring the greater number of goals is the winner.

Did a referee ever scored a goal?

In September 2001, Brian Savill was refereeing a Great Bromley Cup tie between Earls Colne and Wimpole 2000 and volley the ball into the back of the net to score for Wimpole. What is this?