The Ref Stop

Whistle to mouth

B

Bluenarch

New Member
Hi all

6 games in now, passed the test and properly a level 7, get me etc 😉

Had a funny thing come up in a cup tie I did on Sunday about a potentially bad habit I seem to have created all for myself. When I see a flashpoint or potential issue I put the whistle to my lips but don’t automatically blow until I see the foul. Captain of the home team saw this and kept moaning that I never made decisions in his teams favour when I did this. Never mind playing to the whistle, he used to say I kept bottling the decisions. He ended up spending 10 mins in the bin for his constant moaning and I know I didn’t bottle anything, but I’m thinking this is something I need to avoid doing in future to avoid any issues. Is this a common thing or am I just being lazy?

Feedback welcome as always
 
The Ref Stop
We all do this to begin with, and it still happens every so often. Sometimes you think a foul is going to happen but it doesn't. Isuppose you got " you were going to blow for that" just say but I didn't play to the whistle and move on.
 
It's difficult, but you need to try and learn to only put your whistle to your mouth once you are sure you are going to blow. The only exception is when you are going to blow but then see an advantage. Putting the whistle to your mouth and not blowing it is highly likely to lead to dissent, especially if it is during a big decision such as goal, penalty, etc.
 
Agreed. Don't bring your whistle up then put it down.
If you do start to raise your whistle, put it in your mouth, take your hand away then run around with it held in your teeth for a bit (just make sure you're not too close to the ball - don't want to get hit in the face). It really does help reduce complaints of "you were going to blow!"
 
Beat me to it @CapnBloodbeard .
You shouldn't be doing it to start with but that is one way to minimise the impact if you found yourself in that position. I have used it and it actually helps.

"He was going to blow it", "no he just wanted to change his grip of the whistle" or, "no he just wanted to give his fingers a rest".
 
Putting the whistle in your mouth is the body language of telling everyone that you are going to do something. It changes their natural reaction to play. If you don't blow it then you have unduly impacted play.

Similar to an AR raising a flag but referee allowing play to continue. Or getting in front of the ball in a free kick set up and telling the defenders to move back but then allowing a QFK. Technically nothing against the LOTG, but... The problems with these have been discussed here numerous times.
 
Bluenarch said:
Hi all

6 games in now, passed the test and properly a level 7, get me etc 😉

Had a funny thing come up in a cup tie I did on Sunday about a potentially bad habit I seem to have created all for myself. When I see a flashpoint or potential issue I put the whistle to my lips but don’t automatically blow until I see the foul. Captain of the home team saw this and kept moaning that I never made decisions in his teams favour when I did this. Never mind playing to the whistle, he used to say I kept bottling the decisions. He ended up spending 10 mins in the bin for his constant moaning and I know I didn’t bottle anything, but I’m thinking this is something I need to avoid doing in future to avoid any issues. Is this a common thing or am I just being lazy?

Feedback welcome as always
Click to expand...
 
Hi Bluenarch yes I’m six games in and have the same problem with the whistle ! Exam next month for me but how bad is it I don’t want to fail after all this work
 
Agree with most of the previous responses - this is a classic new ref problem, but one that you absolutely must try and train yourself out of. Tricks like that suggested by @CapnBloodbeard can help if you make the mistake, but far better and easier to just not do it in the first place.

The trick I found to training yourself out of this habit is just to try and realise that you don't have any obligation to make an immediate decision. The reason I used to make this mistake is because I saw a potential foul and I instinctively wanted to be ready to blow for the infringement as soon as it happened. Once you realise that no one cares if the whistle comes a second or two "late", the pressure to react quickly goes away and you'll automatically stop trying to "cheat" by putting the whistle to your mouth early.
 
CapnBloodbeard said:
Agreed. Don't bring your whistle up then put it down.
If you do start to raise your whistle, put it in your mouth, take your hand away then run around with it held in your teeth for a bit (just make sure you're not too close to the ball - don't want to get hit in the face). It really does help reduce complaints of "you were going to blow!"
Click to expand...

That kind of falls apart for most English referees as they will have it on some kind of lanyard, going to look a bit daft with that swinging from your mouth. But yes, I agree if you just have the whistle that works, and I've done it myself with the finger grip whistle.
 
Zimmyman said:
Hi Bluenarch yes I’m six games in and have the same problem with the whistle ! Exam next month for me but how bad is it I don’t want to fail after all this work
Click to expand...

You won't fail for it. You're not technically doing anything wrong, it's just a bad habit and I'm pretty sure it's a habit all referees would have gone through. It's just natural instinct
 
Bluenarch said:
Hi all

6 games in now, passed the test and properly a level 7, get me etc 😉

Had a funny thing come up in a cup tie I did on Sunday about a potentially bad habit I seem to have created all for myself. When I see a flashpoint or potential issue I put the whistle to my lips but don’t automatically blow until I see the foul. Captain of the home team saw this and kept moaning that I never made decisions in his teams favour when I did this. Never mind playing to the whistle, he used to say I kept bottling the decisions. He ended up spending 10 mins in the bin for his constant moaning and I know I didn’t bottle anything, but I’m thinking this is something I need to avoid doing in future to avoid any issues. Is this a common thing or am I just being lazy?

Feedback welcome as always
Click to expand...
Something I used to do but did learn not to .
Did have players say to me “ you thought about it ref didn’t you “ to which I replied “ yes I did that’s why I didnt give it “ .
 
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