Question Number: 35766

Mechanics 10/20/2024

Petr of Prague, Czech Republic Czech Republic asks...

This question is a follow up to question 35761

I'm watching it in the Czech league this weekend. Most referees whistle almost every kick that is in the attacking half. Although I don't think they ordered a ceremonial kick. I wonder what would have happened if the player kicked it earlier. I hope they let him play. Then we have one talented referee. He doesn't whistle that much. He is either completely silent or waves his hand. He has been refereeing for about the second year and the commission gives him the most important matches. Basically, the only things that confuse me are the whistles, which probably even the referee doesn't consider ceremonial. :-)

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

HI Petr,
as I mentioned players come to glean a referee's idiosyncrasies and can often adjust their play. Still a whistle is a signal to restart play, but it COULD also be a reminder. A DFK restart, defenders are well away, the attackers prepare but for whatever reason they delay, so the referee pipes up and that sharp blast of the whistle says essentially, "Lets go fellows!" Where a series of short bursts is cause for alarm, likely someone is getting in trouble.

I have waved my hand to indicate lets get a move on. Corner kicks often need a whistle principally because you are farting about in the goal area with the, grab and shove show, in front of the keeper.

However, unless a referee has deliberately, decidedly pointed to the whistle, held it aloft secured eye contact, perhaps even grabbed the ball and stated plainly NOTHING occurs until I blow this, be ready to go without one! A whistle is only needed in special situations clearly identified in the LOTG PKs and ceremonial incursions where the referee is CLEARLY initialing protocols
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Petr
The Practical Guidelines for Match Officials at the end of the Law book has a section on the use of the whistle.

It states and I quote

** The whistle is NOT needed to:
# stop play for a clear: goal kick, corner kick, throw-in or goal
# restart play from: most free kicks, and a goal kick, corner kick, throw-in or dropped ball**
Note the last bullet point - most free kicks.

It also states
**The whistle is needed to: ...... restart play for:
# free kicks when the appropriate distance is required
# penalty kicks**
And
** A whistle which is used too frequently/unnecessarily will have less impact when it is needed. **

So there you have it. It could not be much clearer.
Most free kicks do NOT need a whistle unless there is some reason such as appropriate distance, an injury, a caution or a substitution.
I watched a referee recently and he used the whistle sparingly as per the advice. He did well in the game.
I also went to see a new referee recently and it was a whistle fest. I spoke to him after the game and he was relieved to know he did not have to whistle for every restart. He felt it was “not right” to have to use the whistle so often yet no one told him about the advice!!