Finger whistles

[Joe Stack]

As R and an occassional but rare BJ, I use a neck lanyard whistle. Never really liked the idea of a finger whistle, but the last couple of weeks, I've had to get on my whistle when it was out of my mouth and I couldn't find it.

For those that use the fingers, do you quickly put it in your pocket when you need to use the hand it is on? Or do you just leave it there while doing things like ball exchange? Does it stay on in that situation? Do you drop it often, just sometimes, not at all, or not much after some practice?

Just curious.

[RMR]

I've been using one at B and R for years and have never had it fall off.

If you have a problem with ball  relays and that sort of thing instead of putting it on your index and middle fingers try using it on your middle and ring fingers.

[DallasLJ]

I have used a finger whistle (ring and middle finger) for at least 15 years -- and never had it fall off.  Every once in awhile, usually at U during subvarsity games, a player may break it off.

  But, it is always there and never have to search for the whistle.  Especially useful at U and R since you rarely have to worry about blowing a whistle while signing incomplete pass or touchdown.

[HLinNC]

When I used a finger whistle as my primary, I did as RMR.  I switched to lanyard a few years ago.  I still carry one in my pocket as back-up.  The one thing I did do extra is on 4th down punting situations, I would turn it backwards to give me a little extra time to avoid an IW, potentially.

[VALJ]

I wear both a finger whistle and a lanyard whistle. I have the one on the lanyard in my mouth up until the snap, then use the finger whistle at the end of the play. (I had a few plays early in my career where I had a very, very late whistle because I just couldn't find the darn thing at the end of the play.)

If I need to use both hands to signal, for a  or an  pass, I just slide my fingers out while the whistle is in my mouth to give the signal.

[Tom.OH]

I wear both a finger whistle and a lanyard whistle. I have the one on the lanyard in my mouth up until the snap, then use the finger whistle at the end of the play. (I had a few plays early in my career where I had a very, very late whistle because I just couldn't find the darn thing at the end of the play.)

If I need to use both hands to signal, for a  or an  pass, I just slide my fingers out while the whistle is in my mouth to give the signal.

I also use both. If I know I will need to use a 2 arm signal at the end of the play (incomplete, score, stop clock etc) I will use the lanyard.
I have never dropped the finger whistle but had a cheap pea type break when a linebacker hit my hand. Have been hit using a Fox 40 finger but it did not break.
I feel it has stopped potential IWs since I need to think about moving it to my mouth.

[NorCalMike]

As a U  I have been using two whistles for a number of years. As with the last two post I put the lanyard whistle in my mouth at the RFP and spit it out at the snap. I use the finger whistle any other time. Took a little getting used to at first but I find this works best. If I have to make a two handed signal I will use the finger whistle, blow the whistle and then make the signal (time out, incomplete, U's don't use touchdown signal much). The whistle is usually more important and it doesn't delay the signal that much. I never give a two handed signal one handed. Same as when the player throws the ball to you before you get the signal out. Either don't give the signal or drop the ball and give the proper signal. 

[ReverendRef]

I decided to use a finger whistle years ago when, as a relatively new official, I had multiple IW's in the season.  I decided to add a finger whistle to avoid that problem.  I keep the lanyard whistle in my mouth until it becomes a running play, and then I drop the lanyard whistle from my mouth.  I've been using that system for 25 years and it works well for me.

One caveat:  I use the finger whistle on my LEFT hand (I'm right handed).  I used to wear it on my right hand until the game when I threw a flag and my whistle went flying off into a snow bank, never to be seen again.  Once I moved it to my left hand, I've never had a problem == nor have I ever blown an IW since.

[Osric Pureheart]

There is a third way; the wrist lanyard, which any soccer store will be happy to sell you.  All the advantages of a fingergrip, but you can drop it for a moment when you need your whole whistle hand for something (like ball relay and writing) and it's right there.

[SD_Casey]

There is a third way; the wrist lanyard, which any soccer store will be happy to sell you.  All the advantages of a fingergrip, but you can drop it for a moment when you need your whole whistle hand for something (like ball relay and writing) and it's right there.

I go back and forth between lanyard, finger, or both. I think I might just give this a try. Why not?

Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk

[bossman72]

As R and an occassional but rare BJ, I use a neck lanyard whistle. Never really liked the idea of a finger whistle, but the last couple of weeks, I've had to get on my whistle when it was out of my mouth and I couldn't find it.

For those that use the fingers, do you quickly put it in your pocket when you need to use the hand it is on? Or do you just leave it there while doing things like ball exchange? Does it stay on in that situation? Do you drop it often, just sometimes, not at all, or not much after some practice?

Just curious.

I'm a finger whistle die-hard.  I have tried on multiple occasions to switch to a lanyard whistle and I just can't get comfortable.  I've been to clinics and they all recommend a lanyard whistle because you can shut the play down quicker, so I've decided to compromise.  Lanyard whistle pre-snap, then spit it out.  Finger whistle to kill the play.

Joe, I've never had a problem with it getting in the way of grabbing the football for ball rotation.  I actually keep mine a little loose in case I have to use the whistle and sell an incomplete call - I can easily slide my fingers out while holding the whistle in my mouth.

[Welpe]

I see too many one armed signals from even the big dogs to try one.

I wear an extra long lanyard and spit the whistle out at the snap. If I'm working wing, I then can grab the whistle and run with it in my hand.

[Shoottv]

?I too use 2 whistles. Lanyard at the snap and finger to kill the play. I've never had an issue with one hand signals because I just don't do them.  After 9 years I relay balls and do everything with the whistle on. Have used the same 2 fox 40s for years. Finally broke one on a kids helmet this year. Definitely has prevented a few IWS over the years.

[bbeagle]

I see too many one armed signals from even the big dogs to try one.

I've worn a finger whistle for 20 years. I don't make one armed signals ever.

When I'm signaling a touchdown or field goal, I grab the whistle with my teeth and put both arms up. Same with a first down. When the ball goes out of bounds, I whistle it out, then go up with a kill-the-clock with both arms.

It's not hard at all. It's habit to me now.

[Reverend30]

I've worn a finger whistle for 20 years. I don't make one armed signals ever.

When I'm signaling a touchdown or field goal, I grab the whistle with my teeth and put both arms up. Same with a first down. When the ball goes out of bounds, I whistle it out, then go up with a kill-the-clock with both arms.

It's not hard at all. It's habit to me now.

This is it right here - once you get used to it, it's easy to blow the whistle and slip your fingers out while you make the two-armed signal you need to.  I am right-handed and wear it on the middle- and ring-fingers of my left hand.  I'm a B in high school, and an S in college; one spring scrimmage I experimented with a lanyard, and one of the local D-I guys said, "What are you doing? Put that f-----g thing away."  Since then, I wear a lanyard whistle under my shirt as a backup, and stick to the finger whistle.

[VALJ]

Just this past Friday night, I was glad I had a finger whistle as well - I was working B and went to blow the whistle for a delay of game, and realized it had fallen off somewhere during the last play....

[GAHSUMPIRE]

As a U  I have been using two whistles for a number of years. As with the last two post I put the lanyard whistle in my mouth at the RFP and spit it out at the snap. I use the finger whistle any other time. Took a little getting used to at first but I find this works best. If I have to make a two handed signal I will use the finger whistle, blow the whistle and then make the signal (time out, incomplete, U's don't use touchdown signal much). The whistle is usually more important and it doesn't delay the signal that much. I never give a two handed signal one handed. Same as when the player throws the ball to you before you get the signal out. Either don't give the signal or drop the ball and give the proper signal. 

While I always carry a finger whistle - in my pocket just in case- I only use the lanyard. I have it in my mouth until the snap, then let it fall out. Once a legal snap has been completed, as an Umpire there is very little reason for me to blow the whistle, so I don't have to go looking for it much during the play.

As an aside, we also never give the standard touchdown signal, though in certain instances will place both hands on our chest to alert the wings that  in our  view the runner scored.

[Welpe]

I'm sure there are plenty of folks that don't give one armed signals. I'm not saying everyone who uses one does so quit being so defensive. 

My point is I see many who do, including high level officials, so it's something I know I'd have issues with. That and the lanyard works for me so I've never been inclined to use a finger whistle.

[Ralph Damren]

IMHO, the tweeter on a rope is my favorite....
 
  SIGNALS : NFHS has 45 of 'em (remember #17 & #26 are waiting for new ideas).

            29 signals require 2 hands
            15 signals requires 1 hand
             1 signal doesn't require any hands.

          With a tweeter on a rope, you can quickly give all 45 signals and quickly move on to
          something more creative.

   SAFTEY : There's always a chance one might sallow his tweeter.

         If your tweeter is on a rope, properly trained medical personnel may be able to bring it
         back up by gently tugging on the rope.

         If you swallow your finger tweeter, you may have to only hope that you can pass it
         before you pass on.

   LOSEABILITY : Losing your whistle can become a remainder of game tragedy.

         Waving your arms, or giving 29 of those 45 signals can cause your finger tweeter to
         go a' flying.

          The only way your tweeter on a rope would go a' flying is if you got tipped upside down, 
          and your hat went a' flying, too.

I VOTE FOR TWEETER ON A ROPE...