NCAA Question

[TXMike]

Originally Posted by Odd Duck

My sport is basketball, so I need some insight. I was attending a D3 game last week and noticed the officials rarely blew their whistle (even noticed it in the NFL but that may just be a sound issue). This game was physical and on several occassions a player down field but facing the line of scrimmage would get nailed by a player with his back to the line of scrimmage well after the action stopped...and it happened to players on both teams. There were never an flags and the game was well officiated.

My concern was that a player who knows the play is dead would relax and get hurt. Why no whistles?

Just curious.

The whistle is generally not necessary but by nor blowing it, guys risk having late hits that cannot be flagged as it may involve players not in position to notice the ball is dead. I have been part of games where a few members of the crew made a wager to see who would have to blow their whistle first (and that person would buy). Seemed pretty juvenile to me and potentially dangerous.