Question Number: 24841

Law 5 - The Referee 4/20/2011

RE: Elite Youth College

Stephen of Vancouver, Canada asks...

Slightly unrelated to the laws of the game:

What whistle is commonly used for soccer games?

I use a Fox 40 classic, blast and sometimes a Tornado 2000, but can never get the sound produced like in these three videos:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P68rQE_56I8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8cavPiM2k34

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUgP96XjEpY&NR=1

Stephen

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

It depends! Each referee will have to try several different ones to see what works best for the level game and level of breath they possess. Fox 40 is loud, but doesn't modulate well. There are many others. My favorite was always the Balilla. That had a pea which allowed for many different tones, including the infamous 'You just stepped on my last nerve and you are gone!' whistle, which apparently Mr. Poll lost in your second video.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

I have always used an Acme Thunderer. It has a pea and, in my opinion, I can get a much wider range of sounds than with a Fox 40, which I also have but rarely use. The Fox 40 produces a much higher pitched, shrill sound that's irritating to me. It's very popular which means there's a lower chance of a referee on an adjacent field using a Thunderer.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi
The most common is the Fox 40 which many PL referees use. In these videos the recording technology does make a difference plus the location of a stadium which tends to bounce sound around.
I prefer the pealess varieties and I'm currently trying the Fox Sonic which is working well so far