It's about time...

[Texas Aggie]

I say slow, but not no, whistles. Plus, I only want the wings and occasionally the umpire, blowing and no echos without a good reason -- and on those, your voice usually works better anyway.

I've seen a fight start during a play where I didn't know where the ball was. You can not have an instinct to blow the whistle; you must know ALL the facts. So I would much rather no whistle occurred on a play than a whistle by someone who didn't know all the facts -- even if it didn't end up killing a live play.

[JasonTX]

It makes you wonder how a baseball umpire can get by without the use of a whistle. We use our voice to call time, out, safe, foul. In agreement with Rut, use of the voice will get you out of more trouble than a whistle.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by JasonTX

It makes you wonder how a baseball umpire can get by without the use of a whistle. We use our voice to call time, out, safe, foul. In agreement with Rut, use of the voice will get you out of more trouble than a whistle.

I work both sports at the HS/college levels and I find the comparison between baseball and football, in this context, to be completely absurd.

If you think the voice is more effective than a whistle, why do we have whistles in the first place?

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by Rich

I work both sports at the HS/college levels and I find the comparison between baseball and football, in this context, to be completely absurd.

If you think the voice is more effective than a whistle, why do we have whistles in the first place?

Well I had an umpire that did nothing but use his voice. He always got players to stop or react to his voice. The main people that need to use their whistle on most plays are the short wings. Everyone else can use them sparingly or not at all in many situations. I know as a Back Judge about the only time I use a whistle is on a score that I have coverage and a pass in the middle where I have to rule it incomplete. Otherwise runs and most plays outside of the kicking game I almost never use a whistle. I do not need to, I am around where my voice is used to stop players from continuing. And if a whistle is already blown, I do not use my whistle again in most of those situations, I use my voice. I am pretty loud, I can be heard.

Peace

[CT1]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

Otherwise runs and most plays outside of the kicking game I almost never use a whistle. I do not need to, I am around where my voice is used to stop players from continuing.

The point of the memo (if you read it completely) was to let players away from the ball know when to stop. Voice-only might work when it's a long run or one-on-one pass (typical BJ coverage plays), but on plays in congested areas we really need the whistle.

I worked two HS games just this past season where the noise level was so high I could barely hear whistles on the field from a few yards away. I shudder to think what might have happened if I had some "no-blows" on my crew.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by CT1

The point of the memo (if you read it completely) was to let players away from the ball know when to stop. Voice-only might work when it's a long run or one-on-one pass (typical BJ coverage plays), but on plays in congested areas we really need the whistle.

I worked two HS games just this past season where the noise level was so high I could barely hear whistles on the field from a few yards away. I shudder to think what might have happened if I had some "no-blows" on my crew.

Actually you do not need a whistle the most during a short run or play that ends closer to the LOS. Those are the plays everyone kind of realizes the play is over. And your contention that the crowd is loud also do not make since when the crowd is apart of the noise that tells players the play is over. The long runs to plays on the outside are when there could be a lot of issues of players not stopping. But a 2 yard dive is usually rather obvious when the play is over and I have seen end with no one blowing a whistle and the players stopping.

Again I am not advocating not blowing the whistle. I just see why officials do not see them sometimes and I think it is a bad practice to echo a whistle on a play you do not see end yourself. When you do see it, then blow the darn whistle. It is really that simple to me. I have never known anyone to advocate not to ever blow a whistle on purpose unless you are clearly not in the play.

Peace

[SWFLguy]

An "old" umpire here, I used my voice more than my whistle. In some of my more competitive games I'd be hoarse by the time it was over. I guess I was pretty effective. My old R still calls me the enforcer.
Kind of wish I was back on the field, but I get over it quickly.

[Welpe]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

When you do see it, then blow the darn whistle.

And I think that is all the CFO memo is saying.

As far as baseball vs football, I don't have bands playing during my baseball games.

[ajmc]

Originally Posted by CT1

The point of the memo (if you read it completely) was to let players away from the ball know when to stop. Voice-only might work when it's a long run or one-on-one pass (typical BJ coverage plays), but on plays in congested areas we really need the whistle.

I worked two HS games just this past season where the noise level was so high I could barely hear whistles on the field from a few yards away. I shudder to think what might have happened if I had some "no-blows" on my crew.

Seems like ANOTHER example that, "One size NEVER, EVER fits all". Properly sounding your whistle is proper and appropriate, most times, but relying exclusively on your voice works just as well other times.

We all know you should never kill a play, you didn't SEE die, although the second or 3rd whistle doesn't kill anything, that's the exclusive responsibility of the 1st whistle, that was hopefully blown for the proper reason.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by ajmc

Seems like ANOTHER example that, "One size NEVER, EVER fits all". Properly sounding your whistle is proper and appropriate, most times, but relying exclusively on your voice works just as well other times.

We all know you should never kill a play, you didn't SEE die, although the second or 3rd whistle doesn't kill anything, that's the exclusive responsibility of the 1st whistle, that was hopefully blown for the proper reason.

And I do not feel this will change much of anything anyway. It will be noted but many people will do what they were taught because an IW is a lot worse then a situation when a whistle is not blown and players are continuing on some level. But usually most players stop on their own when it is clear the play is over. Even a late whistle often does not stop players, they already stopped. It is really much to do about nothing if you ask me. I will wait to see if this is even addressed at our meetings this pre-season.

Peace