Finger Whistles or not?

[Snake~eyes]

Originally Posted by HawkeyeCubP

I would like to hear from as many as want to reply the answers to the following questions:

1. Do you use a finger whistle?

2. Why or why not?

3. If you work high school and college, do you change or use the same?

1. No
2. Personal preference. There's no advantage to a finger whistle.
3. Nope.

[GPC2]

My first year I used a neck lanyard whistle. There were many occasions where I was "looking" for my whistle at the end of the play. Also had a few instances of the whistle bouncing around and distracting me.

One of the veterans in the association suggested I use the finger whistle and I was skeptical because it was just foreign to me. I have been using it ever since. I will not go back to the lanyard whistle under any circumstances.

I agree with the other posters that one-handed signals look ridiculous, but I have never given one. Simply blow the whistle first, and then give the proper signals. I have worked all positions except U, and have used it w/o problem.

[waltjp]

I generally wear a wrist lanyard only. I spend most of my time working as a U. On the occasions that I have worked as HL or LJ I've worn a neck lanyard also.

[wwcfoa43]

1. I use a finger at R and U, and a lanyard at the other positions.

2. I talk more during the play as R and U and so do not want a whistle in my mouth. A lanyard tends to bounce around and I would have trouble finding it compared to a finger grip. In other positions, lanyard is fine since I worked many years of basketball. My last IW was using a finger grip anyway.

3. Same for HS or college.

[SouthGARef]

I use a whistle at all positions. When I'm a wing, I use a lanyard whistle as well. Before the play starts I keep the lanyard whistle in my mouth in case of a dead ball foul. At the snap, I spit it out and use the finger whistle to kill the play.

I feel the finger whistle gives me more control and agility. While I don't like to see refs giving "half signals", I don't think this is hard to do. I simply don't signal until I've blown the whistle, and have enough time. I'm in no hurry to signal a TD or anything, one extra second won't hurt anything.