Double Whistles

[Rich]

Originally posted by Paul LeBoutillier
We've discussed the issue of double whistles on several occasions. For starters a double whistle (dealing with the same play) reveals that NO ONE was looking off the ball and SOMEONE was probably calling outside their area.

But when a double whistle occurs we FIRST look to see what the other official has (fist or open hand). Then we come together quickly and ask "What do you have?" If we have different calls we quickly assess if one occurred first (if possible). If we determine we have the same call, the official closest to the call reports. If we have concurrent fouls, we make them accordingly.

Double whistles are a good reason to connect and do a little talking during dead balls to make sure they don't keep happening.

This is not always true. Fouls that occur near the line that divide the official's primaries often result in a double whistle.

The thing against double whistles is over-rated. The time double whistles are bad is when the ball is clearly in one official's primary and the other officials really reaches into it.

The problem is not handling the double whistle properly.

Rich