Question Number: 26306

Law 5 - The Referee 5/8/2012

RE: Under 13

moe of santamonica, CA losangeles asks...

what 2 things ref shouldn't whistle too much

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Moe
I'm not sure of the substance of your question.
I can tell you that referees should rarely whistle for the ball going out of play such as at a corner kick, throw in etc. It should only be done when play has continued and the referee needs to stop play for the award of the restart.
Also the whistle should be rarely used on a out of play restart and then only when the referee has intervened to say move players back 10 yards at a free kick, to restart play after a substitution, after an injury stoppage.
As regards other situations the referee has to decide if there has been an infraction worthy of the award of a free kick or whether it was insignificant or trifling with no effect on play. In the case of the trifling foul the referee should allow play to continue
As a general principle the referee should use the whistle as little as possible so when it is used it has the required effect

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Don't whistle anything too much. The players get tired of hearing the whistle and get frustrated, and then the game is no fun. Whistle only when required and when absolutely necessary. You can find those requirements in the Laws of the Game online, back in the interpretations.

Learn to use your whistle to talk. Vary the tone, loud, short, long, soft, trill, short bursts...they all have a place.