Be the Referee: Concussion Protocol

September 4, 2014

This week, MHSAA assistant director Mark Uyl explains the football official's role in making school personnel aware that an athlete may have sustained a concussion. 

"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 - Concussions - Listen  

Today we are going to talk about concussions. It is important to know that a game official will never make a diagnosis of whether or not an athlete has suffered a concussion. However, those game officials do have an important role to play when it comes to keeping athletes safe.

Officials must be not only aware during the play but especially just after the play for any athlete that appears to be disoriented, unsteady on their feet, or even appears dizzy to where the game must be stopped immediately, the coaching staff notified and then officials need to allow the coaches, working with the school's medical personnel, to make the best decision for the athlete involved.

Past editions
Aug. 25 - TargetingListen

Be the Referee: Soccer Handling

By Paige Winne
MHSAA Marketing & Social Media Coordinator

September 5, 2024

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 – Soccer Handling - Listen

In soccer, a kicked ball that inadvertently touches a player’s arm is not a handball. If a ball is kicked at someone’s face and they instinctively put their hand in front of their face to block the ball – that is also not a handball. There was no intent.

Handball – or handling – is called when the touch with a hand or arm is deliberate.

However, if a ball glances off an offensive player’s arm and goes into the goal, the goal is not allowed. Even if the touching was accidental or inadvertent, it’s no goal. If the touching leads to an immediate goal-scoring opportunity, then it’s also whistled for handling.

As long as the inadvertent touching doesn’t lead directly to a goal, it’s play on. 

Previous 2024-25 Editions

Aug. 24: Football Holding - Listen

PHOTO Westland John Glenn and Sterling Heights Stevenson players pursue the ball during their matchup this season. (Photo by Douglas Bargerstock.)