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: Volleyball Double & Lift

By Paige Winne
MHSAA Marketing & Social Media Coordinator

October 3, 2023

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 – Volleyball Double & Lift - Listen

You’re sitting at a volleyball match and hear parents in the stands yell “Double!” or “Lift!”

What do those terms mean, and why are they yelling them?

Double refers to double contact. That’s when a player hits the ball twice in a row or if the ball touches two parts of the player’s body in succession. If a setter hits the ball with one hand then the other – even if immediate, it’s a double. She needs to set with both hands at the same time.

A lift is when the player, typically a setter, has prolonged contact with the ball that results in throwing or re-directing the ball back into play. The ball doesn’t rebound off the player's fingers or hands, but is directed by the player.

The official on the stand at the net is in the best position to notice these fouls.

Previous Editions

Sept. 26: Registration Process - Listen
Sept. 20: Animal Interference - Listen
Sept. 13: Feet Rule on Soccer Throw-In - Listen
Sept. 6: Volleyball Jewelry - Listen
Aug. 30: Football Rules Similarities - Listen
Aug. 23: Football Rules Differences - Listen

(PHOTO by Gary Shook.)