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: Ratings

December 12, 2019

This week, MHSAA assistant director Brent Rice explains the process by which schools are able to rate the officials who work their competitions. 

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 - Ratings - Listen

Just about every sports fan, at one time or another, has left a game wondering, "How do the officials get evaluated or graded for their performance during a game?" 

At the high school level, the MHSAA has the school rating system to where following each game, both teams submit a rating for the official’s work. The rating is then sent to the MHSAA Office and compiled over a three-year period. An official then has a rating average, and the schools can also indicate areas for improvement or growth that they deem are appropriate.

Those rating numbers then help to determine what officials are used in postseason play.

Past editions

Dec. 5: Video Review Success - Listen
Nov. 28: 
More Injury Time - Listen
Nov. 21: Football Review - Listen
Nov. 14: Sideline Safety - Listen
Nov. 7: Officials Playlist - Listen
Oct. 31: Most Important Line - Listen
Oct. 24: Automatic 1st Downs - Listen
Oct. 17: Catch Momentum - Listen
Oct. 10: Golf Rules Changes - Listen
Oct. 3: No Tackle Box - Listen
Sept. 26: You Make the Overtime Call - Listen
Sept. 19: Swimming Finishing Touch - Listen
Sept. 12: Curbing Gamesmanship By Substitution - Listen
Sept. 5: Football Safety Rules Changes - Listen
Aug. 29: 40-Second Play Clock - Listen