The Dreaded Inadvertant Whistle

[BuckeyeRef]

In Ohio they have made the whistle part of our mechanics. "Whistle on every play - No exceptions." They want to stop the action between players who are not near the ball or looking at the ball carrier.

[Rich]

We want a whistle on every play, too, but I don't think it's good practice to think of the whistle as a device to "protect" players. That mentality leads to IWs, IMO.

I once overheard a BJ talk about how he likes to give a quick whistle on a fair catch and it's exactly the opposite of what we talk about on my crew. I want the BJ to have the whistle out of his mouth and ensure possession before he even starts the whistle up to the mouth. The signal protects the player -- a quick whistle could lead us to the most draconian IW result imaginable.

[JasonLJ]

To me the thought of not having a whistle at some point on every play is just crazy. If not having a whistle on some plays was a good idea, the NFL and NCAA would follow that. They have whistles on EVERY play, as should high school. A late whistle is better then NO whistle. I can't believe that is a mechanic in other states.

[Rich]

We had a coach last week who complained about the 7 inadvertent whistles against his team by crews this season. In the next sentence he complained about the slows whistle other crews gave him this season. I guess he want it both ways?

[GoodwillRef]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

We had a coach last week who complained about the 7 inadvertent whistles against his team by crews this season. In the next sentence he complained about the slows whistle other crews gave him this season. I guess he want it both ways?

I preach slow whistles to my crew on every play. If you don't see the ball and the ball is not in your primary area don't blow the darn whistle. Most IW are just plain bad mechanics.

[GoodwillRef]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

We had a coach last week who complained about the 7 inadvertent whistles against his team by crews this season. In the next sentence he complained about the slows whistle other crews gave him this season. I guess he want it both ways?

I preach slow whistles to my crew on every play. If you don't see the ball and the ball is not in your primary area don't blow the darn whistle. Most/all IW are just plain bad mechanics.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by GoodwillRef

I preach slow whistles to my crew on every play. If you don't see the ball and the ball is not in your primary area don't blow the darn whistle. Most/all IW are just plain bad mechanics.

We've had one varsity IW in the last 6 years. In the end, it was a good learning experience for the guy that had it -- a 5th year LJ who is a damned good official who now knows why we try to only have one whistle on a play and to only blow the whistle if you see a runner down possessing a football.

I pretty much ignored the coach while keeping a smile on my face. I knew it wasn't going to change the way we work the game.