Video Request: Block/Charge

[so cal lurker]

Originally Posted by Freddy

No, I don't encourage the referee to blow the whistle and raise the arm before deciding which of the three... That goes against the principle of slow whistles from L, of which I'm an advocate. In fact, many of the times when the two arms begin to go up simultaneously, they're on quick whistles. This impulsive raising of both fists on a quick whistle is what locks officials into the default block on some plays that should have gone charge.
I'm advocating a slower whistle, in fact.
Your last sentence I also agree with. What I'm identifying is a habit that mitigates against that.

That makes no sense to me. What is "impulsive" about it if the referee has already decided it is a block? I don't think your proposed habit mitigates against anything -- it encourages decision making after the first signal, which is more likely to encourage an early whistle while still thinking than to encourage a slow whistle.