lanyard or carry?

[jbduke]

Originally Posted by GoodwillRef

If it doesn't effect the game I don't really care. I work with some college officials that work pro or pro-am ball and you would never know if the had a lanyard or not...but we have had a rash of high school officials in our area that starting going without a lanyard and IMO after watching and working with them it effects their performance and communciation skills...not acceptable.

And this, beyond what supervisors and observers want, is the whole ballgame.

There are lots of officials who think that those who carry a whistle are showing off because, well, lots of guys (not saying a majority) who carry are indeed showing off. As with most things in life, the motivation underlying an act will significantly impact its execution. If you carry to look cool, then you're not going to get the maximum benefit out of the process. If on the other hand, you decide to pracice carrying for the purpose of slowing down, then there are definite benefits to be had.

I experimented for a while with carrying a few years back, and I'll admit that at the outset of that project, I was concerned more with style than substance. But after doing it for a little while, I realized that I was only going to hurt myself if I didn't slow down without a lanyard. After breaking through that barrier, I did indeed slow down on some things, and i believe I helped myself significantly.

FWIW, I broke my lanyard in a game a couple of weeks ago, and I went the last ten minutes without one. I could actually feel myself, and shortly thereafter the game, slowing down. Of course I could have run back into the locker room to grab another lanyard, but thought I could get by based on prior practice. Luckily I didn't embarrass myself.

I don't see any downside at all to practicing without a lanyard in rec games, just to see what it does to your game. If you don't like it, or don't feel comfortable doing it, then don't continue. But I would encourage anyone to be very, very honest with him/herself about going into a meaningful game without one. If your partners or anyone else can notice any negative impact on the game as a result, then you need to grab a lanyard, post haste.