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This is what no referee can do without, the whistle. After all, how can you make yourself heard without that thing's bold signal at your mouth?
I have two myself, the referee whistle on a cord and a hand whistle.
I once had a tournament where I had to whistle a lot of matches and then I liked to use a hand whistle. But that's totally your preference.
These are the two I have:
| Whistle | Images |
|---|---|
| Best professional referee whistle: Stanno Fox 40 | 
|
| Best hand flute: Pinch flute Wizzball original | 
|
Here I will also share some more information about how to use the whistle so you can get off to a good start as a referee.
What we discuss in this comprehensive post:
Referee whistles rated for the correct sound
Best Professional Referee Whistle: Stanno Fox 40
The Fox 40 whistle is more than just a race day aid.
No more worrying about the rain messing up those messy old plastic whistles you've had with you all these years, as the Fox 40 has a key advantage of not having a ball in it, so don't let it get you down. sting when wet; an important advantage for the referees who have to count on it!
This instrument also has a durable ring to attach to your own lanyard. The cord is not included, but you may already have one and for this price it doesn't really matter.
Best Hand Flute: Pinch Flute Wizzball Original
This wizzball will certainly be used a lot in every game. Squeeze and release the ball, allowing air to flow out quickly, creating a sharp high-frequency sound that can be heard over crowds of people or noisy machinery.
The hygienic wizzball is ideal for use by multiple people requiring a whistle, minimizing the risk of contamination from one user to another.
What is it good for?
- For use by sports coaches, referees
- Puts sound and vibration at your fingertips (literally!)
- Can also be used well by children, which is sometimes difficult with whistles because they can't blow hard enough
Check prices and availability here
Tips for whistling as a referee
Carry the flute in your hands, not in your mouth
Football referees carry their whistles in their hands, not in their mouths continuously. Besides the fact that this is not comfortable for a whole match, there is also a second important reason.
By bringing the referee's whistle to the mouth to blow, a referee has a moment to analyze a foul. In this way he can be sure at the same time that no advantage situation has arisen and the whistle is fairer for the injured party.
When I see a referee running with the whistle in his or her mouth, I know that referee is inexperienced
Only use it when necessary
The boy who continuously screamed wolf used it too much. When it was really necessary no one listened anymore. It's also a bit like whistling at a football match.
To emphasize the use of the whistle when it is really necessary, you can also leave it occasionally when it is not really necessary. to blow it.
For example, when the ball is kicked off the field in such a way that everyone can see this, whistling may be a bit unnecessary. Or when a team is allowed to kick off after a goal, you can also simply say: “Play”.
Power up with essential game moments
In this way you add extra strength with your whistle for the essential game moments and moments where it is less obvious for the players.
For example, interruptions of play for offenses such as offside or dangerous play are made extra clear. Whistle in moderation.
If the ball has clearly entered the goal, there is no need to whistle. Then simply point in the direction of the center circle.
You can, however, blow again on those rare moments when the goal is less clear.
For example, when the ball hits the post, crosses the goal line and then bounces back. You blow the whistle in this situation so that it is immediately clear to everyone that it is a goal after all.
This video explains how to blow a whistle:
Whistling is an art form
Whistling is an art form. I often think of it as a conductor having to lead a great symphony of players, coaches, and assistant referees using his flute as his baton.
- You blow the whistle in normal game situations for common fouls, offside and when the ball just goes over the sideline or goal line
- You blow really hard for a bad foul, for a penalty kick, or to deny a goal. Blowing the whistle loudly emphasizes to everyone that you have seen exactly what happened and that you are going to act decisively
The intonation is also very important. People also talk in everyday life with a range of emotions that can convey joy, sadness, enthusiasm and much more.
And you would no longer listen attentively to speakers who tell an entire presentation in the same monotonous way.
So why do some referees whistle exactly the same when the ball goes out of bounds or when a penalty foul is made?
Intonation is important
I was a referee for a youth team and I blew really hard during a match. The player closest to me immediately said “Owh….someone gets a card!”
He could hear it right away. And the player who committed the violation immediately said “sorry”. He already knew what time it was.
In summary, referees must learn to use the pitch of their whistles for tight game control.
The whistle signals a football referee uses
The fate of the match is in the hands of the referee, literally! Or rather, the flute. Because this is the means by which the decisions are made known with signals.
Because the referee is an essential part of a football game, responsible for keeping order and enforcing the rules, it is crucial that the right signals are given.
This is a crash course in whistle signals for referees.
Use the correct intonation
An umpire blowing his whistle has seen something, usually a foul or stoppage in play, which requires him to stop play immediately. With the whistle you often indicate the nature of the error.
A short, quick whistle indicates that a minor foul will only be penalized with a free kick, and longer, harder "explosions" of whistle power indicate serious fouls punishable by cards or penalty kicks.
In this way, every player immediately knows where he stands when the whistle is blown.
Don't whistle at advantage
Note the benefit. You give the advantage by pointing both arms forward without blowing your whistle. You do this when you've seen a mistake but decided to continue playing.
You do this in favor of the injured party when you believe that they still have the advantage in the situation.
Typically, the referee has about 3 seconds to determine whether the whistle is better, or the advantage rule.
If at the end of the 3 seconds an advantage was gained by the disadvantaged team, such as possession or even a goal, the violation is ignored.
However, if the offense warrants a card, you can still deal it as at the next stoppage in play.
Direct free kick signal
To signify a direct free kick, clearly blow your whistle and point with a raised arm toward the goal that the team that was awarded the free kick is attacking.
A goal can be scored directly from a direct free kick.
Signal for an indirect free kick
When signaling an indirect free kick, hold your hand above your head and blow the whistle. On this free kick, a shot for a goal may not be made immediately until another player has touched the ball.
When taking an indirect free kick, the referee holds out his hand until the ball has been touched and touched by another player.
Whistle for the penalty kick
Make it clear that you mean business by whistling sharply. Then of course you point directly to the penalty spot.
This indicates that a player has committed a direct free kick offense within his own penalty area and that a penalty kick has been awarded.
Whistle at a yellow card
Especially when giving a yellow card you will have to attract attention so that everyone can see what you are planning.
In your whistle, also "hear" that the violation really could not pass and you will therefore be given a yellow card. Actually, the player should be able to know from your signal before you show the card.
A player who receives a yellow card is noted by the referee and if a second yellow card is issued, the player is sent off.
Whistle even clearer with a red card
Watch out for the red card. This is really a serious offense and you should let it be heard immediately. You know the moments from TV.
The whistle blows, it looks like it's going to be a card, but which one? The more clearly you can make this known, the better.
An umpire showing a player the red card indicates that the player has committed a serious offense and must immediately leave the field of play (in professional matches this usually means going to the locker room.
Whistling in combination with other signals
Whistling often goes in combination with other signals. An umpire pointing at the goal with his arm straight, parallel to the ground, signals a goal.
An umpire who points with his arm to the corner flag indicates a corner kick.
Whistle at a goal
As I mentioned earlier, whistling is not always absolutely necessary when it is more than obvious that the ball has gone into goal (or otherwise out of play, of course).
There are no official signals for a goal.
An umpire may point into the center circle with his arm down, but it is considered that when the ball has completely crossed the goal line between the goal posts, a goal has been scored.
The whistle is usually blown to indicate a target as you use the signal to start and stop the game. However, when a goal is scored, the game may also stop automatically.
So if it's obvious, then you don't have to use it.
Those are the best tips for using the flute for tight and clear control of a football match. So I use myself this one from nike, which gives a clear signal that is easy to vary in intensity and volume.
Once you get a bit of a knack for it, you'll see how great it is to run the game this way.
Here's another piece of flute history if you're also interested in its origins.
The history of the flute
Where football is played, there is a good chance that the referee's whistle will also be heard.
Invented by Joseph Hudson, an English toolmaker from Birmingham, in 1884, his “Thunderer” has been heard in 137 countries; at World Cups, Cup Finals, in parks, playing fields and beaches around the world.
More than 160 million of these flutes are manufactured by Hudson & Co. which is still based in Birmingham, England.
In addition to football, Hudson whistles are also used by crew members on the Titanic, by British 'bobbies' (police officers) and by reggae musicians.
Nowadays, the Nike whistles are very popular with many referees because of their good sound.
Development
1860 to 1870: A toolmaker in England named Joseph Hudson converted his humble laundry room in Birmingham's St. Marks Square that he rented into a flute-making workshop.
1878: It is generally believed that the first football match with a whistle was held in 1878 during the English Football Association Cup 2nd round match between Nottingham Forest (2) v Sheffield (0). This was probably the 'Acme City' brass whistle, originally made by Joseph Hudson around 1875. Previously, signals were passed on to the players by the umpires by using a handkerchief, stick or shouting.
In 1878 football games were still overseen by two umpires patrolling the field of play. The linesman in those days, took a minor role on the sidelines, and was only used as a mediator when the two umpires were unable to make a decision.
1883: Joseph Hudson created the first London Police whistle to replace the rattle they used before. Joseph accidentally came across the signature sound that was needed when he dropped his violin. When the bridge and strings broke, it muttered a dying tone that led to the perfect sound. Enclosing a ball inside the policemen's whistle created the unique warbling sound, by disrupting the air vibration. The police whistle could be heard for more than a mile and was adopted as the official whistle of London's Bobby.
1884: Joseph Hudson, supported by his son, continued to revolutionize the world of whistles. The world's first reliable 'pea whistle' 'The Acme Thunderer' was launched, offering total reliability, control and power to the referee.
1891: It was not until 1891 that referees as touch judges on the sidelines were abolished and the (head) referee was introduced. In 1891 he appeared on the playing field for the first time. It was probably here, now that the referee was regularly required to stop play, that the whistle got its real introduction to the game. The whistle was indeed a very useful tool.
1906: The first attempts to produce molded whistles from a material known as vulcanite were unsuccessful.
1914: When Bakelite started to develop as a molding material, the first early plastic whistles were made.
1920: An improved 'Acme Thunderer' dates from around 1920. It was designed to be smaller, more shriller and with its tapered mouthpiece more comfortable for referees. Whistle 'Model No. 60.5, a small whistle with a tapered mouthpiece produces a high pitch. This was probably the type of whistle used in the first Wembley Cup final played between Bolton Wanderers (28) and West Ham United (1923) on 2 April 0. Designed for use in large crowds to overcome them, it came in handy in the ever-expanding stadiums. And there was a huge crowd of 126.047 people that day!
1930: The 'Pro-Soccer' whistle, first used in 1930, had a special mouthpiece and barrel for even more power and a higher pitch for use in a noisy stadium.
1988: The 'Tornado 2000.', made by Hudson, has been used in World Cups, UEFA Champions League matches and the FA Cup Final and is a powerful model. This higher pitch gives greater penetration and creates a crescendo of sound that cuts through even the largest crowd noise.
1989: The ACME Tornado has been officially introduced and patented and offers a range of six pea-free sports whistles with high, medium and low frequencies for different sports. The Tornado 2000 was probably the ultimate in power whistles.
2004: There are many flute manufacturers and ACME continues to make quality products. The Tornado 622 has a square mouthpiece and is a larger whistle. Medium pitch with deeper discord for softer sound. Very loud but less loud. The Tornado 635 is extremely powerful, in terms of pitch and volume. The uniquely unconventional design is for those who want something that really stands out. Three different and distinctive sounds; perfect for “three on three” or any situation where multiple games are played close to each other. The Thunderer 560 is a smaller flute, with a high pitch.
How does a whistle work?
All whistles have a mouthpiece where the air is forced into a cavity or hollow, confined space.
The airflow is split by a chamfer and partially swirls around the cavity before exiting the flute through a sound hole. The opening is usually quite small in relation to the size of the cavity.
The size of the flute cavity and the volume of air in the flute barrel determine the pitch or frequency of the sound produced.
The flute construction and mouthpiece design also have a drastic effect on the sound. A whistle made of thick metal will produce a brighter sound compared to the more resonant soft sound if thinner metal is used.
Modern whistles are produced with different types of plastic, broadening the tones and sounds now available.
The mouthpiece design can also drastically change the sound.
Even a few thousandths of an inch difference in the airway, blade angle, size or width of the entrance hole can make a drastic difference in volume, tone and chiff (breath or solidity of sound).
In a pea whistle, the airflow comes through the mouthpiece. It hits the chamfer and splits outward into the air, and inwardly fills the air chamber until the air pressure in the chamber is so great that it comes out of the cavity and makes room in the chamber for the whole process to start over.
The pea is forced round and round interrupting the air flow and changing the speed of air packing and unpacking in the air chamber. This creates the specific sound of the whistle.
The airflow enters through the mouthpiece of the whistle.
The air in a flute chamber packs and unwraps 263 times per second to make the note middle C. The faster the packing and unpacking is, the higher the sound created by the whistle.
So, that's all the information about the referee whistle. From which ones you can buy, to tips on how to use them to run the game, and all the way down to its history and how it works. I hope you now have all the information about the most important tool of every ref!
