Be the Referee: Football Holding
By
Sam Davis
MHSAA Director of Officials
August 27, 2024
Be The Referee is a series of short messages designed to help educate people on the rules of different sports, to help them better understand the art of officiating, and to recruit officials.
Below is this week's segment – Football Holding - Listen
In football, it’s often said that holding happens on every play. But does it?
When an offensive player uses their hands or arms to illegally restrain a defensive player – that’s holding. This typically happens when blockers grab or pull defensive players away from their path – impeding their ability to make a play. The penalty is 10 yards from the previous spot.
Defensive players can be flagged for holding as well. That’s also a 10-yard penalty. An example of defensive holding is when a cornerback grabs a receiver to slow him down before the ball is thrown. If that same contact happens while the pass is in the air – then it’s pass interference. Defensive pass interference is a 15-yard penalty.
PHOTO A football official signals holding during a 2023 game. (Photo by Gary Shook.)
Be the Referee: Hockey Penalties
By
Paige Winne
MHSAA Marketing & Social Media Coordinator
February 6, 2024
Be The Referee is a series of short messages designed to help educate people on the rules of different sports, to help them better understand the art of officiating, and to recruit officials.
Below is this week's segment – Hockey Penalties - Listen
The three most common penalties in high school hockey are tripping, slashing, and hooking. What’s the difference between them?
It’s pretty self-explanatory.
Tripping is when a player uses the stick to make another player fall.
Slashing is when a player swings the stick at another player, whether contact is made or not.
And hooking is using your stick to slow an opponent down, usually the puck handler.
Hooking differs from holding in that hooking involves the use of the stick to slow an opponent down, while holding is done with the hands.
All of these penalties – tripping, slashing, hooking and holding – will result in at least two minutes in the penalty box.
Previous Editions
Jan. 30: Wrestling Tiebreakers - Listen
Jan. 23: Wrestling Technology - Listen
Jan. 9: 3 Seconds - Listen
Dec. 19: Unsuspecting Hockey Hits - Listen
Dec. 12: No More One-And-Ones - Listen
Nov. 21: Football Finals Replay - Listen
Nov. 14: Volleyball Unplayable Areas - Listen
Nov. 7: Pass/Kick Off Crossbar - Listen
Oct. 31: Cross Country Interference - Listen
Oct. 24: Soccer Overtime - Listen
Oct. 17: Tennis Spin - Listen
Oct. 10: Blocked Kick - Listen
Oct. 3: Volleyball Double & Lift - Listen
Sept. 26: Registration Process - Listen
Sept. 20: Animal Interference - Listen
Sept. 13: Feet Rule on Soccer Throw-In - Listen
Sept. 6: Volleyball Jewelry - Listen
Aug. 30: Football Rules Similarities - Listen
Aug. 23: Football Rules Differences - Listen