The Inadvertent Whistle

By Wray Dunn #36 AUS/NBIAA Official

An official’s personal nightmare — the inadvertent whistle. It’s one of the biggest fears in any sport. Every official, no matter the level or experience, will experience it at least once in their career. The challenge is learning how to move forward when it happens.

What Is an Inadvertent Whistle?

An inadvertent whistle occurs when a referee or official accidentally blows the whistle, stopping play when it shouldn’t have been stopped.

How It’s Handled in Canadian Football

In Canadian football, how a crew responds to an inadvertent whistle depends on possession. If a team has clear possession of the ball, they are given a choice:

Accept the play at the point of the whistle, or
Redo the play from the previous line of scrimmage.

This ruling can sometimes feel unfair — especially if the opposing team was in the process of gaining possession when the whistle blew.

My Personal Experience

In 2024, I was wearing the White Hat during a USports game. I blew the whistle to start the 20-second clock a little early. The quarterback was late getting under center, but eventually snapped the ball and rolled out to his right. I followed the play from behind.

Two defenders brought him down — and I blew the whistle.

But I didn’t see what really happened: the quarterback had thrown the ball to a wide receiver just over the line of scrimmage. I had killed a live play. The very thing I preach to my crew — “slow whistles, don’t be too quick to end a play” — I had failed to do.

It’s the worst feeling imaginable as an official. You could have an excellent game, but one inadvertent whistle can ruin your day — or even your season.

As the Referee, I then had to meet with the captains and coaches, explain the error, and present their options. One team will always be unhappy in these situations, and there’s no perfect outcome.

We’re told to move on. That mistakes happen. That there are 160 plays in a Canadian university game, and one shouldn’t derail your mindset.

But on the field? That’s easier said than done.

What to Do in the Moment

When an inadvertent whistle occurs, follow these steps:

Acknowledge the mistake immediately.
Apply the rulebook to ensure fairness (replay, possession choice, etc.).
Communicate clearly with coaches and players to manage confusion.
Keep your composure — even at the highest levels, it happens.

Accountability Matters

Owning the mistake is crucial. If you don’t, you won’t learn from it. The film doesn’t lie — and if you try to hide it, the footage will expose it anyway.

Admit the error right away so you can move forward and keep control of the game.

Know the Rules

Be 100% clear on the rules for the sport and league you’re officiating. That knowledge allows you to present accurate options to the teams and deal with the situation with confidence.

Communicate Effectively

A clear explanation shows honesty, builds trust, and restores some credibility. Even if the coach disagrees, they’ll respect you more if you communicate openly and factually.

Staying Composed: Tips That Help

Pause and Breathe
- Don’t rush to fix the error.
- Take a deep breath and stay physically calm.
Acknowledge the Whistle Confidently
- Own the moment without apologizing.
- Use firm language:
  “The whistle was inadvertent. Here’s how we’ll proceed…”
Apply the Rules Promptly and Fairly
- Know the rulebook.
- If uncertain, huddle with your crew.
Project Confidence Through Body Language
- Stand tall, move with purpose.
- Avoid showing visible frustration.
Communicate With Coaches or Captains
- Be clear and neutral.
- Say: “It was an inadvertent whistle. By rule, the play is dead. We’ll replay the down.”
Mentally Reset
- Let it go. Don’t let one mistake affect the next 50 plays.
- Use short mental cues: “Next play.” / “Reset.” / “I’ve got this.”
Review and Reflect Post-Game
- Understand what caused the mistake (anticipation, misread, distraction).
- Talk it through with your crew.
- Plan how to prevent it in the future.

The Bigger Picture

The more time you invest in:

Rule study
Field mechanics
Film review
Mental preparation

…the better prepared you’ll be. That reduces the risk of critical errors like this.

As a senior official in New Brunswick once told me:

“It’s going to happen to everyone at some point. Be ready for how you’ll handle it.”

Mistakes Happen — Even for Zebras

Everyone makes mistakes during a game — players, coaches, and yes, officials. But as a “zebra,” your mistakes are replayed more often and judged more harshly.

That’s why it’s so important to:

Acknowledge it
Follow the steps
Then move on to the next play.