Finger Whistles or not?

[Forksref]

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. Because of the problem of giving signals. I assume the purpose of the finger whistle is to avoid inadvertent whistles. I drop the whistle out of my mouth after the snap and free kick. No problem with IW now.
3. No difference.

[FredFan7]

I've tried both and I now use a lanyard. It's just a matter of comfort for me.

If you do use a finger whistle, be sure to toot the whistle, THEN signal with both hands, like that Bob M. said!

[jontheref]

When I was a U I always used a finger whistle. Now that I have gone to the white hat I use the usual lanyard type. The whistle remains in my mouth til the snap, when I simply let it drop out of my mouth. I only do high school ball. As for why, killing the clock, signalling and blowing the whistle is a bit easier for me as an R with the whistle in my mouth as opposed to the finger type. It is what you are most comfortbale with though in all cases.

[simpson]

I can see why a U or maybe an R might want a finger whistle, but if you work on the line or BJ you probably want the lanyard. The half signals have always bothered me.

Personally, I hold the whistle in my left hand most of the play and only bring it to my mouth when I feel the play is almost over. It becomes second nature and you never have to think about it. Took a long time not to be a whistle in mouth guy, but there really isn't any reason you have to keep it in your mouth - ever.

At the snap, if you have a false start and you're holding your whistle, you can shut it down virtually as quickly as if you had it in your mouth. IWs are a lot less likely if the whistle isn't in your mouth. I can't tell you the number of times, I have avoided IWs by having that extra half second to see the play while bringing the whistle to my mouth. Keeping it out of my mouth makes me slow down. Slowing down will always make you a better official, except in the eyes of idiot sportscasters.

[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.