Sorry DJ but I have to agree. Because you have to remember not to just let it drop after you blow it, you have to be more conscious of when you blow it.

I use it during AAU season to help stay away from bad habits but not during the regular season because it doesn't work with Precision Time.

As for spitting it across the floor, I've never seen anyone do that after they had mastered it. it doesn't take that many games to do so. For me, it was remembering to grab it when I started to talk to someone, not after I blew it.

If there are those that don't like it, fine. But there's no reason to sterotype/criticize those that do. it's just a preference.

Sorry, Tony, but I have to disagree. No matter what, using either method you're still going to make the same call. With or without a lanyard, some plays still require a "patient" whistle. And some don't. You're still going to end up making the same call at the same time no matter what method you're using. Imo, there's just no difference if the whistle is in the mouth to start with.

Geeze, there ya go with that "clique" thingy again.:rolleyes:

The "clique" being anyone who disagrees with BZ......:D

I started the thread out of curiosity why someone would NOT use a lanyard. I agree with JR, that patience is patience and is not dictated by lanyard or not. I have an official friend who has really mastered it, and I'm still amazed that he's that smooth although he does say from time to time, he drops it or bumbles it.

I prefer a smitty and someone asked me why the other night and I have to admit that a few years back, I was trying to emulate a few refs I admire.

I submit that's the main reason the no lanyard.........all style.

Habit ??
 

Or habit. We have about 280 officials on our local board. The few that go "lanyardless" are, for the most part, older, experienced, veterans. Maybe back in the 1960's, yes, we have some active officals who began their careers over 40 years ago, that's the way that they were taught?

I know there is one mistake I never make when I go sans lanyard that I make when I do have a lanyard:

Forgetting to put the whistle back in my mouth. :eek:

Seems at least once a season I forget to put the whistle in my mouth and I don't realize it still I have a foul call.

With Or Without Lanyard ...
 

I always wear a lanyard, and I have made the same mistake. Earlier this season, as the umpire, I found myself in front of the home bench to start the second period. Before my partner, the referee, put the ball into play at the division line, the head coach politely asked me a question about a play that had occurred at the horn to end the previous period. I gave him a short answer, and preceeded to begin the second period. Within seconds there was an intentional kick in my primary coverage area. I tried to blow my whistle for the violation to find that I never put it back into my mouth after answering the coach. By the time I found my whistle to put it back into my mouth, my partner had already blown her whistle. Embarrased? Yes. First time? No. Will it happen again? Probably.

Last night I was trail tableside and the visiting coach wanted to discuss a call I had made on one of his players.

We're talking (actually, he's doing the talking, but I have my whistle in hand so I can respond, if needed) during a live ball and the same player commits another foul right in front of us. Probably seemed a bit delayed, but I raised my whistle to my mouth and called the foul. Kid's third in the first quarter (sub was at the table, but didn't get there quick enough after the second). Coach didn't say a word. Actually, if I remember correctly, that was the only time he wanted to discuss anything the entire game. A pleasure, actually, made up for by the home team (see other thread).