Be the Referee: Basket Interference

March 14, 2019

This week, MHSAA officials coordinator Sam Davis takes us through a basketball scenario where there is simultaneous basket interference by both teams.

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 – Basket Interference - Listen

Let's see if you can make the call on this basketball play:

A player on the blue team drives toward the basket and attempts a shot. The ball banks off the backboard and heads towards the rim. While the ball is on the rim, another player from the blue team and a player from the red team hit it at the same time and it falls into the basket. You make the call: Does the basket count, or do you call basket interference, and on which team? And which team gets the ball?

If a player from each team touches the ball on the rim at the same time, you have simultaneous basket interference, and the ball is instantly dead. There is no basket, and you resume action with the ball being put into play by the team with the alternating possession arrow.

Past editions

March 7: Primary Areas - Listen
February 28: Under the Bus - Listen
February 21: You Make the Call - Listen
February 14: Because They Love It - Listen
February 7: Coach/Official Communication - Listen
January 31: Backcourt Violation? - Listen
January 24: Required Hockey Equipment - Listen
January 17: You Make the Call: 10-Second Clock - Listen
January 10: Tripping in Hockey - Listen
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: Toughest Call

November 16, 2017

In this week's edition, assistant director Mark Uyl explains why pass interference is the toughest call for our football officials to make.

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 – Toughest Call - Listen

At all levels of football, far and away the most difficult and controversial call to make is pass interference.

Pass interference can be challenging for officials because so much of it is based on judgment. Were the two players moving down the field making a legitimate play on the football; or did one of the two players initiate contact that created a disadvantaged situation for the opposing player?

Remember, when the ball is in the air, that both players – the offense and the defense – have an equal right to go for the football, making a legitimate play on it. But when that illegal contact occurs, that’s when the flag should come for pass interference.

Past editions
November 9: Hurdling - Listen
November 2: The Survey Says - Listen
October 26: Helmet Comes Off -
 Listen
October 19: Goal Line Rules - Listen
October 12: No 1st-Year Fee - Listen
October 5: Athletic Empty Nesters - Listen
September 28: Misunderstood Football Rules: Kicking - Listen
September 21: Preparation for Officials - Listen
September 14: Always Stay Registered - Listen
September 7: Other Football Rules Changes - Listen
August 31: Pop-Up Onside Kicks - Listen
August 24: Blindside Blocks - Listen