[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

Lets get back to the question at hand. And that is when to put air in the whistle for a held ball.

There are two schools of thought:

School of Thought #1) Put air in the whistle before a held ball actually occurs. The illogic being that by stopping play early the chance of rough play is reduced.

School of Thought #2 (and the correct one I might add): Put air in the whistle after a held ball actually occurs. This school of thought recurs the covering official to actually use good judgement and call a foul if one occurs before a held ball occurs.

I have always taught my officiating students that when an official thinks it is time to put air in the whistle for a held ball, he should wait for just one more second, then either an held ball will occur and a player will actually gain control of the ball because the circumstances for a held ball really weren't there.

MTD, Sr.