Built for the person with the whistle

Law 5 Ref Watch

The match timer that knows your game formats.

Configure the match on iPhone, run it independently on Apple Watch, and record starts and stops of halves, breaks and stoppages along with whistles and position from kickoff to full time.

COMING SOON TO THE App Store In review

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Choose the match-day version right for you

Volunteer and Pro Editions

Both editions cover the game-day match flow. Pro Edition adds more competition formats and tools for editing and sharing game formats.

Law 5 Ref Watch Edition Comparison
Law 5 Ref Watch Feature	Volunteer Edition	Pro Edition
Purchase	Free on the App Store	In-App Purchase
Designed for	Volunteer referees	Professional and semi-pro referees
iPhone app with Pro simulator	Included	Included
Stand-alone Referee app for Apple Watch	Included	Included
Manage settings and formats on iPhone (Pro Edition)	—	Included
Import formats from iPhone	—	Included
Pregame
Select match format	Included	Included
Edit match settings	Limited	Included
Set teams, captains, coin toss, and kickoff	Included	Included
Game Time
Tap or whistle to start match	Included	Included
Main timer counts down to next scheduled stop	Included	Included
Match Time Display	Included	Included
Haptic warnings and alerts	Included	Included
One-minute warning before breaks; end of half and extra time	Included	Included
Substitution breaks	Included	Included
Hydration breaks	—	Included
Stoppage timers	—	Included
Caution timeouts	—	Included
Injury timeouts	Included	Included
Record Goals, cards, injuries, and misconduct	Included	Included
Live match reports	Included	Included
Voice notes (up to 15 seconds each)	Included	Included
Switch formats during a match	Included	Included
Change settings during a match	Included	Included
Must End By	Included	Included
Reset Start	Included	Included
Tie Breaking
Extra time	Included	Included
Penalty shoot-out management	Included	Included
Post Game
Formatted match report	Included	Included
iPhone voice note transcription	Included	Included
Position tracking map	Included	Included
Steps and distance	Included	Included
Game Formats
AYSO	Included	Included
AYSO Playoff	Included	Included
Club	—	Included
NFHS	—	Included
NCAA	—	Included
USSF	—	Included
FIFA	—	Included
Editable game formats	—	Included
Share game formats	—	Included

Match day, covered

Precise timing where it matters, flexibility where it's needed

A watch app for referees designed by a referee.

Configurable game types

AYSO 10U–19U; USSF; NFHS; NCAA and beyond. Adjustable half lengths, breaks, tiebreakers, extra time, and golden goal.

Apple Watch companion

Send the day’s configurations once, then leave the phone behind. The Watch runs the full match independently on the field.

Whistle detection

Start the clock by letting the Watch listen for your whistle or with a tap. During play whistle times and voice notes are saved.

Complete game log

Review timestamps, whistle times, voice notes and stoppages up to the game's end.

Position tracking

Review a map of your on-field position and movement throughout the game. Steps and distance included.

Correct game format mid-match

Switch game formats, change settings, adjust start or end time live, without losing the running clock, goals or other events. All timers recalculate automatically using the new format and settings.

A quick look

Built for the pitch

Replace these placeholders with final App Store screenshots when they are ready.

Match setup Choose and tune your format

Live match Every clock at a glance

Game review Log and positioning map

Documentation

Quick start

From assignment to final whistle in four steps.

1
Choose the game
Select a built-in configuration or import a custom configuration, then adjust any match setting before kickoff.
2
Send it to the Watch
Transfer the day’s game formats from iPhone. The Watch can then run the matches without the phone nearby.
3
Run the match
Start by tap or whistle. Match time, remaining time, breaks, and injury/pause time continue independently in the background.
4
Review the record
After full time, inspect the match log, pause totals, wall-clock events, and the map of your positioning.

Support

Questions from the touchline

Start with these common answers. For anything else, contact Law Five Referee.

Contact support

Does the Watch need the iPhone during a match?

No. Once the day’s configurations have been transferred, the Apple Watch app runs the match timer independently.

How do fields and match reports from two Watches reach the iPhone?

Only the active paired Watch connects to the iPhone at a time. In Apple’s Watch app on your iPhone, open All Watches and select the Watch with the missing data. Keep it near the iPhone and open Law 5 Ref Watch on both devices. Wait for the saved field or match report to appear on the iPhone, then repeat with the other Watch if needed. Keep the app installed on a Watch while its data is waiting to sync.

What happens if the app is backgrounded or the screen locks?

The match clock and all timers continue independently so the displayed time remains correct when you return.

Can I change the game format after kickoff?

Yes. Select the correct configuration mid-game and the active timers recalculate without discarding the running match time.

Can my league use a custom format?

Yes. Every preset can be adjusted before kickoff, and fully custom configurations can be imported with Pro Edition.

How does whistle detection work?

The Apple Watch can listen for a whistle to start the match. Because field conditions vary, tap controls remain available at all times. During play when the watch detects a whistle the time is logged, which may help make accurate reports.

Where can I read the privacy policy?

Read the site-wide Law Five Referee Privacy Policy.

Interactive tutorials

Match Scenario Videos

See common match-day situations on the Watch, one feature at a time.

Loading scenarios…

Ready for your next assignment

A better match clock is nearly here.

Law 5 Ref Watch is currently in App Store review.

COMING SOON TO THEApp Store In review