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If you have a sound card on your PC, click the Red text in the left hand cell of each row to hear the selected whistle sound. The Red text  is a visual aid to describe the whistle length and strength for those of you who do not have sound on your computers. Click the speaker music icon to the left to test your computer system for sound. The whistle sound files are in wav format, and once an icon is clicked, a small wav sound file will download onto your computer into a temporary Windows folder. These wav files are harmless, and are deleted automatically from your computer when you shut down.

Each cell is approximately 1 second long. For example Cell 1 depicts a loud whistle blow of about 3/4 (3 quarters) of a second long - used to call the captains together for the coin tossing ceremony in the centre circle at the beginning of the match.

Cell 1:  Length 0.75 seconds	Calling the Captains	Before the game starts
LOUD QUIET	Make sure you allow plenty of time to complete the coin tossing ceremony prior to kick-off time. Call the captains to the centre-circle with a loud and confident blow of your whistle - make sure everyone hears it.	Weakness with the whistle is one way to lose the confidence of the players. A feeble whistle at this stage will demonstrate a weakness to the players - they will probably think: "We have a right one here this week".
Cell 2: Length 0.3 seconds	Starting the game	And restarting the game
LOUD QUIET	A short sharp blow on the whistle can be used during the kick-off to commence the start of each half or when restarting the game after a goal has been scored.	It is not essential (but it is recommended) to blow your whistle when restarting a game after a goal has been scored. You can just signal or speak or shout. Example " Off you go lads".)
Cell 3: Length 0.4 seconds	Ball in / out of play. Throw etc.	Travels over  a boundary line
LOUD QUIET	There is no need to always blow your whistle to award or indicate a throw-in, goal kick or corner etc. but you will need to do so on some occasions. Used also to start throw, goal-kick, corner etc.	Use the whistle if players continue playing, but do not realise (or believe) that the ball has gone out of play over a boundary line. Recommend that the whistle is used to start a corner kick.
Cell 4: Length 0.75 seconds	Re-start wrong place	Free kick, throw-in etc..
LOUD QUIET	lf a player looks as though he will restart the game from the wrong position (for example, when taking a throw-in), use the whistle to indicate that he should readjust his position to the correct location.	Use a combination of whistle, arm signals and verbal instructions to prevent a restart from being taken from an incorrect position. An alert Referee can prevent wrong positional restarts if he is quick enough.
Cell 5: Length 0.5 seconds	Stop play for a foul	Or any other stoppage of play
LOUD QUIET	To stop play for a foul, use a loud short and sharp whistle. The loudness of the whistle can be used to measure the seriousness of a foul. For example, the louder the whistle, the worse the foul is. Players will understand this.	Always blow the whistle quickly when stopping play for a foul (even though the players themselves may have already stopped). This will prevent further trouble occurring, and will inform all concerned that 'you' the Ref. has stopped play.
Cell 6: Length 0.75 seconds	Offside	Always use the whistle
LOUD QUIET	Stopping play for offside (particularly if Club Assistant Referees are used) will normally result in some verbal comment or other. One way to defuse this, is to blow the whistle very loud and long. This hides the whinges!	There will  be many occasions when you decide to allow play to continue even though an offside offence has been committed. It is therefore important that you always blow the whistle quickly when you decide to stop play for an offside.
Cell 7: Length 1 + seconds	Stopping trouble	Keep running towards players
LOUD QUIET	The whistle is an important tool when dealing with trouble high-spots. Blowing it loud and long will impart a message to the players that the Referee deems it to be a serious offence, and that they must stop immediately.	Keep blowing the whistle as you approach the players. This is important if you are some way away from the incident. Run as fast as you can whilst blowing hard. By the time that the players look around, you will be very near them.
Cell 8: Length 2 seconds	End of game or half	This is a recognised signal
LOUD QUIET	The normal end of game (and end of half) whistle signal has developed over the years.  The whistle signal shown here (including the sound file) is the standard method.	Players know exactly when a Referee has blown to end the game - because this signal is unique and recognised by all.

 Click here for a look at the history of 'The Referee's Whistle'............Whistle History: 

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Email me if there are any other whistle sounds or tips that you would like to appear here.

Note: A "whinge' = Chiefly British To complain or protest, especially in an annoying or persistent manner.

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