Be the Referee: Concussions
September 15, 2016
This week, MHSAA assistant director Mark Uyl discusses the official's role when an athlete experiences a possible concussion.
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 – Concussions - Listen
In all contact sports, the biggest issue of the day continues to be concussions. Game officials play a vital role in keeping athletes safe on the field, court, ice and mat.
While officials are never placed in the position to diagnose a possible concussion, the officials can often see when a player first becomes injured. When that possible injury is noticed by an official, all game rules require the contest be stopped and the student is evaluated by the school’s health care team.
It then becomes the call of the school to determine if the player has suffered a possible concussion. If yes, the player is out for at least the rest of that day. If no, the player can return to the contest.
Past editions
Sept 8: Equipment Covering the Knees - Listen
Sept. 1: Play Clock Experiment - Listen
Aug. 25: Clipping in the Free Blocking Zone - Listen
Be the Referee: Soccer Rule Change
September 13, 2018
In this week's edition, MHSAA officials coordinator Sam Davis explains a significant change in soccer regarding fouls in the penalty area.
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 Rules Change - Listen
There’s a big change in soccer rules this year on plays where a defender denies an obvious goal-scoring opportunity within his or her own penalty area.
The penalty has been amended depending on whether or not the referee determines that the defensive player was attempting to play the ball when committing the foul. If so, the defender will receive a yellow card rather than a red card – and a penalty kick will be awarded. This eliminates the previous double jeopardy on the play – a P-K and a red card.
Of course, in those circumstances where there was no attempt to play the ball, the defender is still disqualified. This brings the high school rule in line with college and international rules.
Past editions
September 3: You Make the Call: Face Guarding - Listen
August 30: 40-Second Play Clock - Listen
August 23: Football Rules Changes - Listen