Be the Referee: Blindside Blocks
August 24, 2017
This week, "Be the Referee" with MHSAA assistant director Mark Uyl returns with the first of a three-part series on football rules changes for 2017, this one on blindside blocking.
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 – Blindside Blocks - Listen
We're going to start the new school year with a three-part series on football rule changes.
There may be no hit in football that generates more "ohs" and “ahs" than the blindside hit. It's also one of the most dangerous hits in the game.
The defensive player in pursuit of the runner, who does not have a reasonable opportunity to see the oncoming blocker, is considered defenseless. In keeping with putting player safety first, national rules now allow blocking from the blindside only when contact is initiated with the hands – achieving the same effect without all the contact.
That big blindside hit will now result in a 15-yard penalty and possible ejection from the game.
Next week, we'll look at changes to rules covering onside kicks.
Be the Referee: Receiver Carried Out of End Zone
By
Sam Davis
MHSAA Director of Officials
November 4, 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 – Receiver Carried Out of End Zone - Listen
A football play for you to rule on today. The quarterback throws a pass to an eligible receiver in the end zone. The receiver jumps and makes the catch, but before he lands, a defensive player wraps him up and carries him out to the 2-yard line, where the receiver finally touches the ground.
What’s the call? Is the ball spotted at the 2-yard line where the receiver finally made contact with the ground? Or is it a touchdown?
Send out the extra-point team because it’s a touchdown. The receiver’s forward momentum was stopped in the end zone, while he had possession of the ball … which is considered a touchdown catch. He does not have to get a foot or any other body part down in the end zone for it to count.
Previous editions
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