An Apple Watch can replace the stopwatch, the notebook and the scribbled score on your wristband, but only if it’s ready before kick-off. Here’s the checklist to run through before you walk out.
The night before
- Charge the watch and your iPhone fully. A match with a workout, heart-rate tracking and GPS running uses far more battery than a normal day.
- Install software updates the night before, never on match day. An update can take a long time and restart the watch.
- Check your fixtures. Confirm the kick-off time, format, half length and the competition’s rules on substitutions and stoppage time.
Watch settings
- Turn off notifications during the match. Use Do Not Disturb or a Focus so a message or call can’t cover the clock at a key moment.
- Check the orientation. On the watch, the Orientation setting should match the wrist you wear it on and the side the Digital Crown sits, so swipes and presses feel right.
- Use Always On if your watch has it. You can read the time without raising your wrist.
- Keep the screen awake on wrist raise. A quick glance should always show the clock.
Fit and sleeves
- Wear it snug, just above the wrist bone. A loose watch bounces while you run and reads heart rate poorly.
- Keep sleeves clear of the screen. A long sleeve or a cuff brushing the display can register as a tap. Push the cuff above the watch, or wear the watch over the sleeve.
- Wipe off rain and sweat before you record an incident. Water on the screen can cause stray touches.
Backups
Even the best technology fails occasionally. Watches run out of battery, get knocked and restart. Carry:
- a second timing device, such as a basic stopwatch, and
- a notebook and pencil for cards and goals.
You’ll rarely need them, but you’ll be glad they’re there when you do.
After the final whistle
- Let the match sync to your iPhone before you leave the ground if you can, or as soon as the two are together.
- Check the report before you submit it. Confirm the score, every card and its code, and the substitutions.
Make the watch do the work
Halfline is built for exactly this: the match runs on your Apple Watch without your phone, with large tap targets, a guard against accidental taps, and an undo that never erases what happened. When the match reaches your iPhone, the report is already written.