Roughing the Passer

[JugglingReferee]

Originally Posted by daggo66

My point is that there is no rush to blow a whistle in football. Therefore there is no point for having it in your mouth. Same thing with the flag for RTP. Take your time and think about it.

And for those that do, are you saying that they are officiating incorrectly?

[Ed Hickland]

I use the voice "it's gone", "it's away" or something like that. If the passer is hit during that period while I'm saying it, there was not sufficient time to avoid contact.

I started officiating with basketball where the whistle stays in your mouth most of the time. A little different with football where there is no need to blow the whistle to stop the play and even if it is no harm can be done for a delay. For me the whistle drops once the RFP is blown. If something happens my reaction time is 2 to 3 seconds just enough to think about it. If there is anticipation that the whistle needs to be blown as in the runner being pushed backwards or a hunt for the ball I will bring the whistle toward my mouth to reduce my reaction time.

[daggo66]

Originally Posted by JugglingReferee

And for those that do, are you saying that they are officiating incorrectly?

I am saying that they are risking an IW. As Ed stated there is no need to blow the whistle to stop the play. I tell my crew to never blow the whistle unless they see the ball. We will have 3 to 4 plays per game with no whistle whatsoever.