Whistle While You Work

[rainmaker]

Tuesday evening after my game, my partner told me the only thing I did wrong was to blow my whistle just before every hand-off for a throw-in. I've had other people comment on this in the past, and I've tried to stop, but I just can't find a workable substitute. The problem is that in girls ball, often, the thrower-in isn't looking for the ball. She's yelling at someone, or tucking in her bra strap, or trying to hear which play the coach wants her to call. I'm ready to hand off, the players on the floor are in position, and she's still looking the wrong way. I've seen refs yell, "Ball!" as they reach the ball across, but then you've got to get the whistle into your mouth, count to five and keep the clock hand up in the air -- that's three hands, and I've only got two. How do others solve this problem?