Inadvertent Whistle Question

[kblehman]

I had my first inadvertent whistle Tuesday. For some unknown reason my whistle blew as a FT was being rebounded. It was the strangest thing--I had no mental intention to blow it, it just sounded. Wierd. Anyway, the defense had clear posession so we awarded it OB to them, no problem.

But that raises a question I've had about inadvertent whistles. Is that type of situation the only time it's acceptable? For example, I'm sure most of us have jumped a call or anticipated something and then looked for a hole in the floor to crawl into. Anyone ever hose a foul or violation call and know it immediately, then use the inadvertent whistle to bail on it?

I've jumped calls down low where I was anticipating (the wrong way) and wanted to rewind the game 10-seconds for a do-over. But my guess is if I raise a hand or fist it's not a good thing to then call it inadvertent; better to take the heat and admit a mistake. Yes?

Just looking for some insight on when an inadvertent is permissible.

[jdw3018]

You either admit the mistake and go with inadvertent whistle, or you enforce whatever you call in which case you're not admitting a mistake - you could later admit you may have kicked it.

If you whistle for an illegal dribble, for example, and then determine you shouldn't have, then just take the blame right then and go with IW. If it's a close judgement call with a quick whistle on a foul or a violation that isn't 100% clear to you - you're probably better to make the call, get the ball back in play, and get on with it. Later, if the coach questions you, explain what you saw and say, "Coach, you may be right and I may have blown that one." You can use that one very rarely and you're usually okay.

If you realize you've made a mistake and are certain you shouldn't have blown the whistle, it's always appropriate to go IW. Kick yourself in the shorts mentally and then get back to officiating the game. And don't let it happen again. Ever.

[kblehman]

Originally Posted by jdw3018

If you realize you've made a mistake and are certain you shouldn't have blown the whistle, it's always appropriate to go IW. Kick yourself in the shorts mentally and then get back to officiating the game.

Even if the mistake is jumping a foul?

If I jump a foul inside and know immediately it was a good block and use IW, isn't that gonna get me more grief from a coach than if I later have to admit I may have hosed the call?

And do I want to ask what do you do if I IW on a shot and the shot goes in?

[jdw3018]

A foul call is a judgement call and should be handled as I said above w/ judgement calls. We've all blown a quick whistle we want back, but in a situation like you've just said usually you should go ahead and report the foul. It'd have to be a crazy-obvious clean block to not go ahead and report, IMO. You can then deal with the coach if he questions the call in the way described.

If you have an IW during a try and the try is successful, then POI is the made basket and you give the other team the ball on the endline.

[Indianaref]

Never accidently blown my whistle yet, however, on 3 or 4 occasions this year I have had my fist halfway up and pulled back. I working on fixing it.

[stosh]

Originally Posted by Indianaref

Never accidently blown my whistle yet, however, on 3 or 4 occasions this year I have had my fist halfway up and pulled back. I working on fixing it.

I've done this a few times, and one time had a coach ask "What were you raising your arm for back there"? I just smiled and gave him the "give me a break" look. (It was a good natured jab).

[Bearfanmike20]

Originally Posted by Indianaref

Never accidently blown my whistle yet, however, on 3 or 4 occasions this year I have had my fist halfway up and pulled back. I working on fixing it.

Ive done this a few times... Its either cause I'm anticipating or because I'm slow in reacting.

[kblehman]

Originally Posted by jdw3018

If you have an IW during a try and the try is successful, then POI is the made basket and you give the other team the ball on the endline.

Let's say I commit the cardinal sin of anticipating contact. I blow my whistle and signal for a foul but I know for a fact it was a clean block. If I have the guts to claim IW, who gets the ball?

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally Posted by kblehman

Let's say I commit the cardinal sin of anticipating contact. I blow my whistle and signal for a foul but I know for a fact it was a clean block. If I have the guts to claim IW, who gets the ball?

When in doubt, it's usually a good idea to just follow the rules. The play is covered under rule 4-36.

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by kblehman

And do I want to ask what do you do if I IW on a shot and the shot goes in?

If the ball is still in A's hands when the whistle blows, cancel the basket and give the ball back to A (at the spot nearest the ball when the whisle blew).

If the ball has left A's hands and the basket is good, count it and give the ball to B for a throw in anywhere along the endline.

If the ball has left A's hands and the try is not successful, go to the arrow (at the spot nearest the location from where the try was attempted).

[kblehman]

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

If the ball is still in A's hands when the whistle blows, cancel the basket and give the ball back to A (at the spot nearest the ball when the whisle blew).

If the ball has left A's hands and the basket is good, count it and give the ball to B for a throw in anywhere along the endline.

If the ball has left A's hands and the try is not successful, go to the arrow (at the spot nearest the location from where the try was attempted).

Thanks, Bob.

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by kblehman

...and then looked for a hole in the floor to crawl into. Anyone ever hose a foul or violation call and know it immediately, then use the inadvertent whistle to bail on it?..

Yes, I just posted THIS on the same subject.

[Kelvin green]

[QUOTE=kblehman]I had my first inadvertent whistle Tuesday. For some unknown reason my whistle blew as a FT was being rebounded. It was the strangest thing--I had no mental intention to blow it, it just sounded. Wierd. Anyway, the defense had clear posession so we awarded it OB to them, no problem.
QUOTE]
Can anyone explain to me how the defense had possession of the ball or is this a different game than I am used to officiating?

[hoosierref]

Dont feel bad. Had one last night also. I was trail. Loose ball and white recovers (in backcourt) passes around and not 1 player from either team went to the proper direction. A4 received a pass and she takes off for the frontcourt. As soon as she steps in her frontcourt I blow my whistle and not 1-2 seconds later (as she is going in for a layup unguarded, all the other 9 players still at the other basket) I realized that I had just blew it.

As I am doing this, the A HC is yelling at her, "why are you going to the wrong basket". I turned around and looked at the coach, and advised I had an IW and that the player was shooting at the proper basket. The HC laughed and looked at A4 and said "I will just be quiet the rest of the game". The player just laughed an looked at me and asked me "Did my layup count". I said unfortunately no but you do get the ball back.

All the fans in the gym laughed at both of us (A HC and myself). Thank goodness it was the 4th Quarter and A was leading 48-30.