The Whistle

The whistle can indicate an alert, attention please, to stop the clock, etc.  The whistle can also convey unspoken words/thoughts. J

My last game was a freshman girls game, and it was a very one sided affair to say the least.  So much so that my partner tells me that he blew a “phantom” whistle just to put the team on the foul line in hopes that they would actually score.  Not sure I agree with that or not, but I certainly wasn’t arguing the point that nightJ. 

The winning team is up 19-0 in the middle of the second quarter, and they are still pressing.  The other team is CLEARLY over matched, so I blow my whistle and call a foul on the defense (winning team).  The losing team inbounds the ball again and I blow my whistle again with another foul on the winning team.  The losing team inbounds again, winning team is still pressing and I call yet another foul on the defense (winning team).  The coach finally gets up off of the bench and tells her team, “ back it off and pick them up at half court” and gives me a look as if to say, “is that would you wanted?”  I give her a look back and a smile as if to say “Thanks coach”, all without a word said between the two of us…lol

The whistle can also be used to inform a coach/team that you might be a bit annoyed with them for deliberately not keeping the game moving. 

Case in point…during a timeout, the 1^st horn sound indicates that play is ready to begin in 10-15 seconds and to break the huddle/timeout and return to the floor.  The 2^nd horn indicates play should be ready to begin.  Teams should be on the floor and ready, and the official should be ready to put the ball in play. 

There are times when a coach tries to extend the timeout by keeping his/her team in the huddle after the 2^nd horn sounds.  After being ignored a few times, I simply stand directly behind and close to the huddle and BLAST my whistle (and yes I use a very loud whistle…lol).  I usually get a few gas face looks, but we have to Keep it movin!