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 - Targeting - Listen
Be the Referee: Pop-Up Onside Kicks
August 31, 2017
This week, "Be the Referee" with MHSAA assistant director Mark Uyl explains an onside kicking technique no longer allowed as the second of a three-part series on football rules changes for 2017.
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 – Pop-Up Onside Kicks - Listen
One of the most exciting plays is the onside kick, which has turned the tide around in many games.
In the interest of safety, national high school rules this year have eliminated the onside kick where the ball is kicked with great force off the tee into the ground, generating a pop-up ball, which creates a dangerous recovery situation.
This kind of pop-up kick will immediately be blown dead by the officials, and a five-yard penalty will be assessed to the kicking team.
Onside kicks which are dribbled along the ground, hitting at least twice, are still legal by rule; and the kicker can still pooch kick the ball straight up into the air off the tee.
But the pop-up kick which hits the ground first, and bounces only once is no longer a playable ball.
Past editions
August 24: Blindside Blocks - Listen