Lanyard or No lanyard
 

I ahve been officiating for 10 years now. 5 years ago I stopped wearing a lanyard. I have developed a system for myself to not wear one and not drop my whstle. I ahvent dropped my whistle in 4 years. Recently a coach told me i needed to wear one that it looked unprofessional. I simply replied, how come a lot of NBA and college officials dont wear one? Why wear one if it doesnt slow down the game and is comfortable to me? Any feedback would be appreciated.

I would simply say, "Thanks for your opinion" and move on. Whether or not you wear a lanyard is none of a coach's concern -- no more so than if he wears a tie should be of concern to his officials.

Change "coach" to "my supervisor/my mentor/observer/offcial I look up to/top official in my association" then it's something I would worry about.

If you find you're getting all the games you want, then I wouldn't worry about it. If, however, it starts somehow costing you games, I'd consider the advice.

If a coach is the only one saying something to you then I would completely disregard it. As others have said, if it's an assigner or supervisor then it's something to worry about.

I have tried going no lanyard but I'm much more comfortable with one. And the VHSL has said it's mandatory for high school games in VA.

But if it's not an issue with the powers that be in your area, I wouldn't spend a single second worrying about what one coach had to say.

Why would you need to develop a system for something that's not necessary?

The mustard is off the dog. IMHO you look like a wannabe.

Perception is reality, the fact that a coach notices is a negative.

Can I ask what prompted you do this?

i just dont see a reason for wearing one if one is not needed. Its liek in baseball, i dont use an indicator in baseball either. Its just something to me that is not needed in my game. Now if i were to drop my whistle, then i would start wearing one again, buti havent dropped my whistle in 5 years. So whats the point in wearing one?

That brings up the other issue. Why?

Seems to me there are a couple of different reasons to go without the lanyard, and the OP's response to the coach could lead one to assume the worst.

The next guy around here to go without a lanyard will be the first; and that's just not an area where I'm interested in standing out. It would be like starting to use NBA or NCAA mechanics; just make me look like I think I'm better than everyone else.

The question I would ask is "why not wear one"? After I blow my whistle I don't have to use my hands to take it out of my mouth -- it just falls free.

Of course, I think anyone who doesn't use an indicator on the plate is a fool, so maybe I wouldn't get your answer anyway.

I would wear a lanyard if i could find one short enough to not smack me in the face as i run down the floor. I dont like that part of a lanyard. If i could find one that short then i would wear one. I cant find a yard im comfortable with. The whistle is always in my hand if its not in my mouth, so i have easy access to it. I dont fumble with trying to grab it and it swaying everywhere around my body if i need to get it. Im not saying im better than everyone else, its just my preference.

I think if your honest with yourself you'll admit that you saw the big boys not using one and that lured you in. Hey, I never wear a cup behind the plate, never caught one in five years, why should I?:(

Guys that do this around here (can't think of any now, brief fad) were considered hot dogs

ill tell you how i got started doing it. I was working an AAU game with a couple of the higher ups locally. We decided to have a little fun and we played a game. None of us wore lanyards an who ever dropped there whistle first, had to buy lunch. Well i didnt drop mine at all, and i liked the fact that i didnt have to wear one, so i kept doing it. Its not that i saw guys in the NBA do it,its just something that i discovered i could do without problems.

I may be different but as I run down the floor, I have my whistle in my mouth.

So you have a TC call, like to see mechanics on that one with whistle in your palm.

Why wear socks? could be more comfy without them.

Sorry, I don't buy the having fun story, somebody was imitating NBA.

you are full of crap. i was askig for advice, not a judgement.

Perception is reality...

Officials that dont wear lanyards should know how to handle a statement from a coach regarding their professionalism.

Judge not, lest . . .
 

A) My non-judgmental advise: it looks dorky, so use a lanyard.

B) I know I'm full of crap. It still looks dorky.

You are getting advice and just choosing not to see or hear it!

If you're getting the games you want, and your assignor(s) don't care, then screw what the coach and anyone else says here.

smitty's come in several lenghts. Mine never hits me in the face.

"Thanks." And then forget about what he said.

I'm 5'6" so the distance between the loop on the shirt and my head is a short one. I've never been hit by my lanyard. I work soccer without a lanyard just holding my whistles (2 connected together so I have more to hold on to) in my hand. I have no doubt that I could work basketball lanyardless, but I don't see many advantages and several drawbacks to doing it.

You asked for feedback. You got feedback that you didn't like. It doesn't mean the ones who provided it are full of crap. It now appears you we're just looking for justification and didn't get it. To not wear the lanyard, in combination with your specific response to the coach and you response to the feedback just confirms the assumptions made by those here who are saying you are doing to to appear big time. :rolleyes:

I'm curious as to what length and style lanyards you have tried. I've never had this issue.

I agree... He asks a question; you answer; & he doesn't like your answer...that's HIS problem - not yours!

btw...if no lanyard works for you, no problems here (but what does it matter what i think). The only opinion u should be concerned about is your supervisor/assignor.

Exactly. The only thing that matters is whether it can cost you assignments.

Noose. Pull the string through the non whistle side and cut to your length. Take a lighter and burn the string so it creates a bubble and keeps the noose closed.

Now are you going to use it? From what I've read, no. Does it matter? As long as your calls are correct, then no.

Ps: It sounds like you had your mind up before you posted.

He wasn't getting advice. He was getting a response from fullor30 that essentially said: your answer to me is a lie...I don't believe u. (fullor30 did this twice!)

Listening (or in this chat room case - reading) is a skill...

I stopped crapping a few years ago, felt I didn't need to, I developed a system.

Bingo

Oh, I don't know. Part of the advice he got was, "Maybe the coach is right."

If it's not affecting assignments, it doesn't matter.

OTOH, he might want to know how it looks to other officials (who may agree with the coach's sentiment, if not his precise words.)

I know there's a guy around here who works like this.

It draws attention to him, IMO, unnecessarily -- from other officials and probably other people, as well. To me, that's a good enough reason to reconsider doing this.

All wise cracks aside, my thinking.

We have an official here that does not use a lanyard & he is a skilled and highly respected official. However his whistle is always in his mouth, when he reports at the scorers table the whistle stays in his mouth whenn he calls a foul or violation the whistle stays in his mouth. Several other officials and I watched him beofre our game and all commented that we couldn't understand his verbalizations. A lanyard would surely alleviate this. I'm sure he doesn't realize the confusion caused.

A lanyard is a simple tool to use which may help us be clearer to our patners & table..

I just do not see the point of not using one. I hear the "whistle control" justification and it makes no sense to me. Not sure what the big deal is to wear a lanyard of some kind. Then again as said it really comes down to who you work for, but I do know some people that do not get games because of this. Oh well.

Peace

wvumpire
 

I am guessing you are from West Virginia.

In looking at the state website for officials it says something along the lines of

The WVSSAC subscribes to the uniform recommended by the National Federation of State High School Associations:

NOTE 1: Officials may only wear the patch adopted by the WVSSAC Officials’ Advisory Committee, and said patch must be worn on the left breast of the shirt. If the patch is worn on the jacket, it will be located on the left breast of the jacket and must be worn by all officials in the contest.
NOTE 2: In the sports of track, swim and volleyball, the patch can be embroidery as long as it’s placed on a white polo shirt and it must be done by Officials Call.
NOTE 3: Officials are not permitted to wear jewelry; however; officials may wear a wedding band or ring but it is not recommended.
NOTE 4: Shirt tails shall be tucked in at all times.
....
2. BASKETBALL: Black and white striped shirt, short sleeve V-neck. Provided however, that if a tee shirt is worn under the V-neck and any part of it is visible that it will be black in color and that all officials will either wear tee shirts black in color or they will wear the V-neck shirt so that no undershirt is visible. Black trousers, black shoes with black laces, black socks and black belt are required. Black Jackets: not mandatory, but if worn, all officials must wear the same style and color. All officials in a given contest must be uniform in their dress.

And just for fun, I checked back with the NFHS uniform that is listed in the Officials Manual on pg 14, G. Whistle - black lanyard.....

There are associations (ask anyone from Washington) that have sanctioned officials for not wearing the prescribed uniform (specifically whistles). You have the information, you have been offered suggestions, the rest is up to you.

Here are the first four responses to his request. They all appear to give some form of advice! You need to be able to do more than read...you need to comprehend what you are reading.

I have went without a lanyard, but not during high school or college games. I don't really care one way or another. I know more officials who look dorky running and giving their signals. That bothers me more than the officials I know locally that don't wear a lanyard.

BTW, an official will not lose games in Southern Nevada for not wearing a lanyard (our association president doesn't wear one). In the list of things officials do, this is smaller than an ant provided the officials aren't constantly dropping the whistle.

But if you want to get really technical about it, nothing says the whistle must be connected to the lanyard. So you could, theoretically, wear a lanyard hanging loose around your neck and still carry the whistle in your hand.

Not that I'm advocating this, of course... hard to imagine a look that would be more dorky then wearing a lanyard with nothing attached to it.

Personally, I use a lanyard, and I don't give a dang one way or the other if my partner wears a lanyard or not.

I can't say I've ever seen anyone I've worked with go sans-lanyard, but I've never bothered to look. If the Powers That Be (tm) care, then you should follow their direction.

It's the same message as black belts -- if you use a belt or lanyard, it must be black.

And just cause a partner wears a belt doesn't mean I will. I'm not thinking uniform means exactly that -- otherwise, we'd have to match brands of shirts, pants, and shoes, too.

Which makes think of strange bedfellows, a ref who wears a belt but not a lanyard.

I worked with a guy who for a few years didn't use a lanyard, we gave him plenty of good natured grief about it. He went back to lanyard, never asked him why.

I'm still waiting for why someone would do this other than to big time it.

I haven't paid enough attention to see even the "big timers" doing this.

1) I cannot remember the last time I saw a college official at any level NOT using a lanyard.

2) I do know that there are one or two still NOT wearing a lanyard in the NBA, but that does NOT make it correct.

3) The lanyard is hitting you in the face? Use a Smitty; they come in a variety of lengths. Tell Torch I sent you (referee, umpire, supplies, equipment, basketball, football, baseball, shirts, shoes, accessories, athletic, price, quality, face masks, whistles, officials, sports).

4) I personally know a number of college assigners who require their officials to use a lanyard or they do NOT officiate.

5) Every official who took my officiating class knew that I had better NOT see them without a lanyard when officiating.

6) An official who does NOT use a lanyard looks like a juggling clown on the court.

MTD, Sr.

Not that I give a damn if an official goes sans-lanyard or not but:

There are a LOT more than one or two who officiate sans-lanyard. I can think of four or five right off the top of my head, that go sans-lanyard, including playoff and Finals officials. The NBA does it right IMO (and has the luxury of doing so) in not worrying about silly things like this and leaving it to a personal preference.

Lastly, I have to disagree with your last point. Some of the best officials with the best mechanics that I see are without the lanyard. As long as one practices their mechanics with either method, you're bound to look fine.

A little history
 

Those of us that started doing baseketball in the 1960's had a great example to follow: Mendy Rudolph

Of course he used a "finger whistle" -- the philosophy in those days was if your whistle was not in your mouth then you would not make calls to quickly.

I do believe with all the training we get there is no need for a finger whistle. There is no need ever for a "palmed whistle."

This thread is an example of how many, many threads go.

OP asks for opinions and when the opinions are not supportive the poster gets defensive then nasty.

I always give the same advice: When it is you against the world I always take the world.

T

Sans Sansabelt ...
 

You just had to bring up belts.

I'll give you my black belt when you pry it from my cold, dead hands!

Did u actually read the part of my post that said: "he was getting a response from fullor30..."?

Apparently not! Otherwise u would know that I was SPECIFICALLY referencing THAT post.

You're just like coaches who take my words & try to twist them into something entirely different than what I said.

This is wrong on so many levels.:cool:

I've never gone without a lanyard, and I have no plans to try it. IMO, we have enough to worry about on the floor, and where my whistle is when it's not in my mouth shouldn't be one of them!

As far as the lanyard hitting me in the face...when I call a foul and jog to the reporting area, I hold on to the whistle so it doesn't move. When it's just hanging off my shirt, it hits me probably at the bottom of my rib cage.

do neckties come in sizes?
 

So tall guys have longer necks? Bigger heads?

At a D3 women's game in Western NY:

Mouthy Fan: "Hey ref, carrying that whistle in your hands reminds me of Richie Powers."

Official beams.

Mouthy Fan: "He's been dead for 10 years too."

Don't be a plumber.

I'm Confused
 

Not sure how this is interpreted as word twisting. I was simply pointing out that where advice was asked for, advice was given.

You wrote:

I responded:

Incoming!
 

Now you've gone and done it........

It's Been A While, It's Time, Go For It Mark Padgett ...
 

Great? Now we're going to have to hear about Mark Padgett's "First Rule of Officiating".

He's An Esteemed Member, Let's Hear His Two Cents ...
 

What's wrong with Freddy's interpretation? Citation, please?

That would be an indication that you are using too many words when interacting with coaches. ;)

Back to the original subject . . . I try to make the routine things in my life, routine, so I can put my concentration on those things that require more thought, expertise, and concentration.
So, I've never thought of working a game without a lanyard. It's expected, in my area. It makes it easy to "hit it and spit it." I can use my voice, when needed, and can always put the whistle back in my mouth, if I need to.

[QUOTE=7IronRef;821683]
... 2. BASKETBALL: Black trousers, black shoes with black laces, black socks and black belt are required.[/COLOR].

WOW ... they are required to wear belts?!?!? :eek:

Agreed. It's one thing to say you don't agree with something or you prefer not to do something, but to question someone's motives and accuse them of trying to showboat like an NBA ref is a bit much, and the response wvu gave was certainly understandable.

I'm suprised, Scuba, that you can't tell the difference between being a jerk just to be a jerk and offering advice.

I ahve been officiating for 10 years now. 5 years ago I stopped wearing a lanyard. I have developed a system for myself to not wear one and not drop my whstle. I ahvent dropped my whistle in 4 years. Recently a coach told me i needed to wear one that it looked unprofessional. I simply replied, how come a lot of NBA and college officials dont wear one? Why wear one if it doesnt slow down the game and is comfortable to me? Any feedback would be appreciated.

Guess what I still question the motive. He even alludes to it with mention of college and NBA officials.

Are you saying that NBA refs are showboats?

Secondly "any feedback would be appreciated" He's getting what he asked for.

You (in so many words) called him a liar, twice.

I doubt that's the kind of thing anyone is looking for when they sincerely ask for feedback. It was a jerk thing to say, regardless of whether or not he asked for feedback.

Trust me I can tell...I have been following along on this board long before I got up the nerve to post.

I was in no way justifying the negative/attack type comments. I was only pointing out that there were four good posts to start the thread with actual advice.

I say go with a lanyard, until you're on a stage trying to get into the League. I've been at multiple camps, as camper and staff, where I've heard clinicians or assignors say to not do it.

But as others have said, if it's not costing you games or drawing additional attention to yourself, then whatev.

amen!!!!!!

WOW...are you saying, as the OP said, you haven't "dropped one" in 4 years!

...sorry, I couldn't help myself...:p

I will admit it sure does look cool if you can go sanslanyard without dropping your whistle. I tried it for a few games and things would be going fine then all of sudden call an offensive foul and boom whistle is falling all over the floor players are stepping on it. 1000's of people laughing at you. Not a good look.

1000s? Really?

Pulleeez

not to step on any toes, but my assigner reccommended I go without a lanyard because he thought it would slow down my calls a little and help me think them through more. (also the loop on my shirt fell off but lets not dwell on that.

He must think he's an NBA assignor. He must have heard that's what the "big boys" do and now he wants to be one of them. There's no other explanation for why he would tell you to do that....:rolleyes:

Unless...you know...he truly meant he should try it out for those given reasons. He's not the first person I've heard give that advice.

Check your sarcasm detector. It might not be on...;)

Five pages on a lanyard...it's definitely February!

ROFLMAO!!

MTD, Sr.

Smitty, Or Noose ???
 

Wrong. It's five pages on no lanyard. If the thread was just about lanyards, it wouldn't have any legs.