When does the U blow his whistle?

[HLin NC]

Page 14 of the NF Officials Manual

[BktBallRef]

I whistle if:
1- the runner is down at my feet.
2- there's a foul.
3- the wing offiicals have whistled forward progress stopped and we're trying to get the players to stop play.*

*Personally, I think too many wing officials wait to long to blow this whistle.

[bisonlj]

I lost my whistle for a couple series in my college game yesterday and didn't miss it. I think it was blown only 3 times the entire game and that was when I had fouls to report to the R.

[Line_Judge]

Originally Posted by BktBallRef

I whistle if:
1- the runner is down at my feet.
2- there's a foul.
3- the wing offiicals have whistled forward progress stopped and we're trying to get the players to stop play.*

*Personally, I think too many wing officials wait to long to blow this whistle.

I am guilty of the late whistle! I am a bit gun shy on the IW!

[BktBallRef]

Originally Posted by Line_Judge

I am guilty of the late whistle! I am a bit gun shy on the IW!

Which is why if I'm 1000% sure
1- the runner has the ball,
2- his forward progress is stopped (been shoved backwards 3 or more yards)
3- and the wings can't see the ball

I will whistle that play.

I've just seen too many times where the whistle should have been blown but wasn't, the runner was stripped of the ball. That's our fault.

[Line_Judge]

Originally Posted by BktBallRef

Which is why if I'm 1000% sure
1- the runner has the ball,
2- his forward progress is stopped (been shoved backwards 3 or more yards)
3- and the wings can't see the ball

I will whistle that play.

I've just seen too many times where the whistle should have been blown but wasn't, the runner was stripped of the ball. That's our fault.

very good point! good preventative officiating!

[Rich]

Originally Posted by BktBallRef

I whistle if:
1- the runner is down at my feet.
2- there's a foul.
3- the wing offiicals have whistled forward progress stopped and we're trying to get the players to stop play.*

*Personally, I think too many wing officials wait to long to blow this whistle.

Personally, I'd rather a slow whistle than an inadvertent one. If my guys don't see the ball, they better not be blowing a whistle.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

Personally, I'd rather a slow whistle than an inadvertent one. If my guys don't see the ball, they better not be blowing a whistle.

It is not uncommon to have plays end with our crew not blowing the whistle at all. You do not need a whistle to stop many plays really.

Peace

[Canned Heat]

Attended a clinic with some NFL refs maybe 10 years back and worked with the UMP (Butch Hannah...this was Bill Carrolo's old crew) and I learned more in those few hours than you could imagine.

They would run a play with scrimmage teams, and every UMP that had a whistle in his mouth during the play got some extra education. I went to a finger whistle for the following 2 years or so until I I moved to the white hat.

The umpire should be talking alot more than hitting his whistle during a game.

[MD Longhorn]

What about incomplete pass in your area, esp one that no one else blows...

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

It is not uncommon to have plays end with our crew not blowing the whistle at all. You do not need a whistle to stop many plays really.

Peace

One of those rare items that JR and I agree completely on. The crew I was on in Dallas would go 7, 8, 10 plays even occasionally without a whistle at all.

[jTheUmp]

+1

Do you really always need a whistle to stop play after any of the following (assuming no 'extracurricular' activities taking place between opponents):
a) a long Touchdown run or pass
b) an 'normal' incomplete pass (obviously incomplete)
c) a triple-option dive play that comes to a stop on its own
d) a 'cleanly kicked' field goal attempt

I'm sure I can think of others, but I think you get the idea.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by jTheUmp

+1

Do you really always need a whistle to stop play after any of the following (assuming no 'extracurricular' activities taking place between opponents):
a) a long Touchdown run or pass
b) an 'normal' incomplete pass (obviously incomplete)
c) a triple-option dive play that comes to a stop on its own
d) a 'cleanly kicked' field goal attempt

I'm sure I can think of others, but I think you get the idea.

Part of the reason we blow the whistle in the first place is to stop everyone around the play from continuing. Are there times when we do not need it? Of course, but I would not say on all these situations we should not blow the whistle. I think on a pass which a lot could be happening outside of where the ball is you might want to stop those players from thinking something is still going on. Usually the times we do not have a whistle on my crew is when the ball is a run and in the middle of the field. That is when the ball is not clearly seen but almost every player realizes the play is over and naturally stops. All of these plays I think would need a whistle for the most part because players can be several yards away from the ball or where the ball was declared dead.

Peace

[CT1]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

Personally, I'd rather a slow whistle than an inadvertent one. If my guys don't see the ball, they better not be blowing a whistle.

We pregame this as well. No crime in not having a whistle on a play, especially a dive play up the middle where the wings will likely be blocked.

[BktBallRef]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

Personally, I'd rather a slow whistle than an inadvertent one. If my guys don't see the ball, they better not be blowing a whistle.

Agreed. That's why they need to get off the damn sideline and do their job.

The problem is that since the mechanic was changed where wing officials start on the sideline, many are simply too lazy to close down on the play. I can't tell you how many wings I see bird dog spots.

Originally Posted by CT1

We pregame this as well. No crime in not having a whistle on a play, especially a dive play up the middle where the wings will likely be blocked.

No but you certainly need one of forward progress plays.