Be the Referee: Football Overtime
October 1, 2014
This week, MHSAA assistant director Mark Uyl explains how football overtime is played at the high school level.
"Be the Referee" is designed to help educate people on the rules of different sports, to help them better understand the art of officiating and to recruit officials. The segment can be heard on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays during the school year on The Drive With Jack Ebling on WVFN-AM, East Lansing.
Below is this week's segment - Overtime - Listen
There is nothing better for a football fan than a close game, and the ultimate is when that close game ends up going into overtime.
The high school overtime rules are quite similar to those used at the college level. In other words, both teams are going to be guaranteed one possession of the ball starting out first down and goal to go from the 10-yard line. A couple of key differences are if the defense gets possession of the ball on an interception or on a fumble, the ball is dead and the teams switch offense and defense, In other words, that ball can’t be returned for a defensive score to end the game.
There is also no requirement that the offense at any point after a touchdown be required to go for two (points). If the game would go seven or eight overtimes, teams can continue to simply kick the one point extra point.
Past editions
Aug. 25 - Targeting - Listen
Sept. 4 - Concussions - Listen
Sept. 11 - Pass Interference - Listen
Sept. 18 - Tackle Box - Listen
Sept. 25 - Field Goals - Listen
Be the Referee: Softball Interference
By
Paige Winne
MHSAA Marketing & Social Media Coordinator
June 6, 2023
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 – Softball Interference - Listen
We’re on the softball diamond today for a “You Make the Call.”
Runners are on the corners with no outs. The batter hits the first pitch in the air and into foul territory near the first-base line.
The runner on first interferes with the first basewoman attempting to make the catch, and the ball falls to the ground.
What’s the call?
- Is it the runner on first and the batter are out?
- The batter is out and the runner stays at first?
- Or the ball is dead immediately, the runner on first is out and the batter is charged with a foul ball?
If you said the ball is dead immediately when the interference takes place and that the runner is out, with the batter returning to the batter’s box with a one-strike count … you made the right call!
Previous Editions:
May 30: Officials Registration - Listen
May 23: Soccer Offsides or Goal? - Listen
May 16: Track & Field Exchange Zones - Listen
May 9: Girls Lacrosse Self-Start - Listen
May 2: Baseball/Softball Overthrow - Listen
April 25: Fifth-Quarter/Third-Half Rule - Listen
April 18: Soccer Referee in Play? - Listen
April 11: Softball Strikeout - Listen
March 14: Basketball Instant Replay - Listen
March 7: Hockey Overtime - Listen
Feb. 28: Baker Bowling - Listen
Feb. 21: Ski Finish - Listen
Feb. 14: Swimming Touchpads - Listen
Feb. 7: In or Out-of-Bounds in Wrestling - Listen
Jan. 31: Over the Back - Listen
Jan. 24: Competitive Cheer Judges - Listen
Jan. 17: More Lines - Listen
Jan. 10: On the Line - Listen
Jan. 3: Basketball Measurements - Listen
Dec. 13: Pregame Dunks - Listen
Dec. 6: Gymnastics Judges - Listen
Nov. 22: Football Finals Replay - Listen
Nov. 15: Back Row Illegal Blocker - Listen
Nov. 8: Swim Turn Judges - Listen
Nov. 1: Soccer Referee Jersey Colors - Listen
Oct. 25: Cross Country Tie-Breaker - Listen
Oct. 18: Soccer Shootouts - Listen
Oct. 11: Safety in End Zone - Listen
Oct. 4: Football Overtime Penalty - Listen
Sept. 27: Kickoff Goal - Listen
Sept. 20: Soccer Timing - Listen
Sept. 13: Volleyball Replays - Listen
Sept. 6: Switching Sides - Listen
Aug. 30: Play Clock - Listen
Aug. 23: Intentional Grounding Change - Listen
PHOTO by Gary Shook.