I don’t use a lanyard about 50 percent of the time. It’s definitely a very “pro” thing to do and you’ll find vets are often dead set against it. I use a lanyard on all my college games which is the expectation. This season I plan to go without for all my HS contests.

I find it’s much more smooth. I always have the whistle in my hand rather than it dangling around when I’m running to report and I don’t ever have to fumble to grab it. This makes calling T’s or hitting other dead ball whistle much quicker and easier. It takes practice of course and sometimes it drops but after a while it becomes second nature.