The Laws of the Game & Referee Skills
Whistle Basics
It’s a bit odd to think about learning how to blow a whistle because we think to ourselves “Just blow the whistle and they’ll listen to us, right?”
Well, that isn’t always as easy as it may seem. Read through some of our tips on how to blow your whistle and what the importance of how you blow it can do for you as a referee.
What does your whistle tell people? - “Look at me I have information to give you”
What do the different ways you blow your whistle tell people? - These are just a few simple whistles to get you started but are not all the ways you can use your whistle.
Simple whistle “tweet” - Simple Foul
Easy Long & Loud Whistle “Tweeeeet” - Kick Off / Start off game
Easy Loud Double Whistle “Tweet Tweet” - Administrative whistle (Subs / Water Break
3 or more quick whistles - Stop and look at me (ball quickly went out and back in to play and players don’t stop / Foul called and players don’t stop)
Tips for a strong Whistle
Blow air from you gut
Be strong with the air
NEVER BE AFRAID YOU ARE TOO LOUD - You want everyone to look at you when you blow the whistle
After you blow your whistle USE YOUR VOICE AND SIGNALS to communicate your decision.
When does a referee blow their whistle? This list isn’t complete but it includes a lot
Kick off - to start the game, after a goal, or to start a new half
When a Foul is committed
When the ball goes out of bounds AND the teams don’t stop
If you need the teams to wait to take a free kick and tell them to wait then you need a whistle to re-start the game
To hold the game during a stoppage and allow substitutions
To re-start the game after
To end the Half, quarter or game
When you need to get players or coaches attention