Be the Referee: Tripping in Ice Hockey

January 10, 2019

This week, MHSAA officials coordinator Sam Davis explains another of the most misunderstood rules in high school sports  this one concerning tripping in hockey.

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 – Tripping in Hockey - Listen

Today, we’re in our series of the most misunderstood rules in high schools sports, and we’re going to talk about tripping in ice hockey.

In high school hockey, a player intentionally leaving his or her feet and knocking an opponent down is tripping – even if the puck hits the player leaving his or her feet.

This is different than the professional interpretation and frustrates amateur officials at all levels. A player can dive and legally knock the puck off the opponent’s stick, but if on the follow-through cuts down the opponent – it’s a trip. A dangerous play, pure and simple.

Past editions

January 3: Sliding in Basketball - Listen
December 27: Stalling in Wrestling - Listen
December 20: Basketball: You Make the Call - Listen
December 13: Basketball Uniform Safety - Listen
December 6: Coaching Box Expansion - Listen
November 29: Video Review, Part 2 - Listen
November 22: Video Review, Part 1 - Listen
November 15: You Make the Call - Sleeper Play - Listen
November 8: 7-Person Football Crews - Listen
November 1: Overtime Differences - Listen
October 25: Trickery & Communication - Listen
October 18: Punts & Missed Field Goals - Listen
October 11: What Officials Don't Do - Listen
October 4: Always 1st-and-Goal - Listen
September 27: Unique Kickoff Option - Listen
September 20: Uncatchable Pass - Listen
September 13: Soccer Rules Change - Listen
September 6: You Make the Call: Face Guarding - Listen
August 30: 40-Second Play Clock - Listen
August 23: Football Rules Changes - Listen

Be the Referee: Winter Officials Mechanics

By Sam Davis
MHSAA Director of Officials

December 9, 2021

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 – Winter Officials Mechanics - Listen

This season, MHSAA officials will return to the courts, mats and ice under some different conditions than over the past 20 months.

Other than a few select instances, all MHSAA protocols, procedures and playing rules have returned to what they were pre-COVID.

This means the jump ball in basketball returns, postgame handshakes will be permitted as each school sees fit, and traditional ball-handling by officials for free throws and throw-ins is back.

Of course, individual schools may retain certain precautionary measures, and officials are always permitted to use personal medical protective equipment.

The health and welfare of athletes, coaches and spectators is our No. 1 priority, and compliance with all local school district and health department mandates is required.

Previous editions

Nov. 26: Instant Replay - Listen
Nov. 11: Tourney Selection - Listen
Nov. 4: Receiver Carried Out of End Zone Listen
Oct. 28: Volleyball Back-Row Block Listen
Oct. 21: Soccer Disallowed Goal Listen
Sept 30: Field Goal Falls Short Listen
Sept. 23: Volleyball Obstruction Listen
Sept. 16: Catch or No Catch  Listen
Sept. 9: Intentional Grounding – Listen 
Sept. 2: Pass Interference – Listen 
Aug. 26: Protocols and Mechanics 
 Listen