Multiple tweets of the whistle

[HokiePaul]

I know this isn't new, but in watching the NCAA tournament, I noticed that the officials almost always blow their whistle multiple times on fouls/violations that result in a turnover. So if its a simple foul on the defense, you get "tweet", but it its a charge or a travel, you get "tweet-tweet, tweet-tweet" or some variation followed by a signal going the other way.

Does anyone know how this started? Is this something that is specifically addressed at the college/pro level in the officials manual, or is this left unwritten at the college/pro level and become a best practice of sorts?

I only see it occasionally at the HS level which makes sense since it directly contradicts what the NFHS manual says.

Personally I like it and wish NFHS would adopt it as a standard, but if NCAA/Pro don't have this as a written standard, I would assume its not going to happen any time soon.

[Raymond]

Just something that has evolved apparently. I will occasionally hear an observer comment on the unnecessariness (yes, I just added that word to my dictionary to eliminate the squiggly line) of it.

[Camron Rust]

Originally Posted by HokiePaul

I know this isn't new, but in watching the NCAA tournament, I noticed that the officials almost always blow their whistle multiple times on fouls/violations that result in a turnover. So if its a simple foul on the defense, you get "tweet", but it its a charge or a travel, you get "tweet-tweet, tweet-tweet" or some variation followed by a signal going the other way.

Does anyone know how this started? Is this something that is specifically addressed at the college/pro level in the officials manual, or is this left unwritten at the college/pro level and become a best practice of sorts?

I only see it occasionally at the HS level which makes sense since it directly contradicts what the NFHS manual says.

Personally I like it and wish NFHS would adopt it as a standard, but if NCAA/Pro don't have this as a written standard, I would assume its not going to happen any time soon.

Yes, I do it some times. Also, what you also may be hearing on TV is two different officials whistles, one right after the other.

[BlueDevilRef]

Not a fan of tweeting the whistle. Seems to me it is becoming more prevelant in college ranks too. I prefer the sharp blast of the whistle. To me, that gets the point across just fine. Multiple tweets seem less confident and unnecessary to me.

[griblets]

I inadvertently tend to do it on some travels and wish I could break myself of it.

I also do it on held balls when two players are about to wrestle each other for the ball. I'm okay with that because I want the players to hear the whistle to know the play is over.

I can't recall ever sounding the whistle more than once for team or player control foul, and I don't see the point.

[Raymond]

Seems I do my double tweets on travels, illegal dribbles, and held balls. Why, I do not know.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by griblets

I inadvertently tend to do it on some travels and wish I could break myself of it.

Me too. It's a hard habit to break.

[crosscountry55]

Back from vacation. Hope nobody missed me.

A D1 women's official I know from CA called it a "staccato" whistle. He had no issues with it. Basically felt it was helpful for selling certain calls, either 50/50 fouls or unexpected ones. He didn't advocate it for every call, just some. Officials are generally given some latitude to develop their own style points, and I think this is merely an extension of that.

Anyway, aside from a purist or two, he's never been criticized for it. Seems to me it's widely accepted now as an extra-manual practice. So I guess I don't feel like it's a bad habit in need of breaking as some have posted.

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by crosscountry55

Back from vacation. Hope nobody missed me.

....

Where were you, In D Anapolis?

[VaTerp]

Originally Posted by BadNewsRef

Seems I do my double tweets on travels, illegal dribbles, and held balls. Why, I do not know.

I find myself doing it on travels, illegal dribbles, and some OOB violations by a dribbler.

I have no idea why I do it either but have no desire to change the habit or for it to be formally added to the manual.

[constable]

travels or illegal dribbles...or goofy fouls- illegal screens etc.