I need some advise on whistles for linesman. What do you guys do at the snap if you have the nearest man off the line? If punch with one arm, and have the other on the flag in case of a false start, then I am slow to the whistle on a false start. I'm thinking of keeping the whistle in my mouth for the false start, then holding it in my hand when the play starts. I've even heard of some having two whistles; one on finger for the false start, and one on a lanyard for the play. Thoughts?

Joel, have your whistle in your mouth for the false start, at the snap, spit the whistle out of your mouth. You can reach for it if you need it.

No need to put your hand on the flag. Hold your whistle, blow it, then reach for the flag. otherwise, you look like a gunslinger, just waiting to throw.

Agree with AZ Ump.

Whistle in mouth, if no infraction at snap, spit it out and officiate.

If you're a newer official, you will develop a "feel' for finding and then throwing your flag as you blow the whistle.

Whistle first to stop the play followed immediately by the flag. Vice versa doesn't work.

Just a word of advice. Don't put your hand on the flag anticipating a false start or defensive encroachment (NF). It doesn't look good. The important thing for any pre-snap fouls is to keep the action from developing. If there is a pre-snap infraction followed by a snap of what is a dead ball, get on the whistle hard--multiple toots if necessary. Follow that up with the flag. Even under the most difficult circumstances the flag should never come more than a second or two later.

I agree. The whistle stops the play, a flag doesn't. I've gone to the longer lanyard that allows me to keep it in my hand during the play. I do carry a 2nd whistle in my pocket. Got into a situation a few years ago where I broke my whistle while digging for a fumble. Was using a finger whistle (another good reason not to use one). As for carrying your flag, for the new guys, my recommendation is to keep in belt up front not in your back pocket. You don't want to look like a gunslinger. I put mine in my belt on the left side-front. I'm right handed. Takes a split second longer to get to it, but also gives you time to think "do I really need to flag this play or not?" Also, by having it up front, if you reach and don't throw, nobody really sees you do it. Just adjust your belt and they don't know the difference.

The little things do make a difference.

I disagree about not using a finger whistle - especially for newer guys. That split second that it takes to put it up to your lips and blow could make the difference for an inadvertant whistle situation, e.g. on a loose ball. I know it has saved me more than once.

I have it on my right hand and have had to dig for fumbles in piles and never had it break (I use a metal). Heck, even the plastic one I bought 7 years ago is still in one piece. My only beef is with the metal one (Acme Thunderer), I'm pretty much deaf for an hour after a game that I white hat after blowing it ready for play 100 times or so.

I used to carry a lanyard and finger and do what you guys are saying, but when I ran once the play started, it would hit me in the face.

Do you guys toss the flag toward the side of the offending team? I've seen this in other chapters. Looks great unless the opposite guy has defense and you had offense.

Whistle in mouth.....
 

Boy, I am opposite of you guys!!! When i am on the wing, I keep whistle(on lanyard) in mouth, cover the blowhole with toungue. When working R,U, or BJ, finger whistle...especially at U! Last game last season, Varsity contest, I blew an IW on a fumble that B recovered, LJ had the ball out before runner hit ground, worst part was B knew I kicked it....blew that baby too soon...live and learn....

2 flags by wingers
 

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We just send the flag up...up...and away! Bust in to R and talk, if obvious, a quick point to offenders.

I begin every play with my whistle in my mouth. Then take it out after the snap I always keep my whistle in my hand even when running on long plays. When the play is ending then I will put it back in.

Re: Whistle in mouth.....
 

That doesn't prevent you from blowing it. If it's in your mouth, you'll blow it, sooner or later.

Re: Re: Whistle in mouth.....
 

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I already "blew it", and that was an IW with a finger whistle(go figure) Have had no probs with the whistle in mouth lanyard deal...must be my foggy Ca air....LOL

This will be my first year. I was told a little trick to help is to tape the end of your flag with white athletic tape so others think you are grabbing the bean bag.....

Re: Re: Re: Whistle in mouth.....
 

Chris, if you are in foggy CA air, you must be in SF or on the peninsula. Where do you officiate?

I keep the whistle in my mouth and my tongue in the hole. I don't drop it unless I have to talk to someone.

I agree with the whistle kills the play, we were always taught while breaking in that the order is:
whistle (stops all action)
kill the clock
flag
I keep the whistle in my mouth until the play starts then I spit it out and hold it.

Starting as a basketball official 16 years ago, I've always been partial to a whistle with a lanyard.

2 reasons I hate the finger whistle:

(1) Two handed mechanics, like stopping the clock or signaling an incomplete pass. Looks awkward when the official starts signaling with one hand.

(2) Feels funny on my hand.

Anyhow, I do what others here talk about -- I put the whistle in my mouth and then let it drop on the snap. Unless I have to run hard, I'll take the whistle and hold it in my hand until it needs to be blown. Best of both worlds.

Rich

I think the tape on the end of your flag looks tacky
when the flag is on the ground. I suggest following other tips on this thread, learning the correct way for you and
just keeping your head in the game. We , as officials,
do not need to be trying to think of ways to cover mistakes.
We need to be thinking of more ways for preventing these
mistakes in the first place.

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We tape the "bag" end of the flag here with the white atletic tape, for the flag to not be obvious yellow hanging outa the uniform....just following the assc rules:o)

I don't know that taping a flag is covering a mistake. First, it looks better not having the yellow hanging out of the front of the uniform (I don't carry it in my back pocket because I don't want the grass and dirt in the pants). Second, if I have a hand on my flag and don't throw because I decided not to, then that's not covering a mistake. It means that, while a foul occurred, that there was some reason I decided not to flag.