Be the Referee: Correcting a Down
September 10, 2015
This week, MHSAA assistant director Mark Uyl discusses how officials at the high school level have the authority to correct an error in what down is being played.
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 - Correcting a Down - Listen
For anyone who has followed football for a long time, perhaps the most famous “5th down” game was back in 1990 between Colorado and Missouri.
In that game, the officials mistakenly gave Colorado an extra down while trailing by four points. On the “fifth down” play, Colorado scored a touchdown on the final play of the game to win 33-31.
Under high school rules, the officiating crew has the ability to correct an error of the wrong down as long as it is done before the next snap. For example, if the crew realizes a team has been given an extra down, that play would be nullified and the ball would correctly go over to the other team.
Past editions:
Sept 3: Spearing - Listen
Aug. 27: Missed Field Goal - Listen
Be the Referee: You Make the Call - Soccer Offside
By
Paige Winne
MHSAA Marketing & Social Media Coordinator
October 15, 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 – "You Make the Call" - Soccer Offside - Listen
We’ve got a soccer “You Make the Call” today.
Team A has a player – number 9 – in offside position.
Team A’s number 1 takes a shot on goal that hits the crossbar and deflects right to number 9. The player collects the ricochet, shoots and scores.
What’s the call?
- Goal is awarded because the ball deflected to number 9?
- No goal because number 9 was in an offside position and gained an advantage for being in the offside position?
- Or – Caution number 9 for being offsides and interfering with the play?
If you said “no goal because number 9 was offsides and gained an advantage,” you are correct.
Play would restart with an indirect free kick for Team B from where the ball was played by number 9 of Team A.
Previous 2024-25 Editions
Oct. 8: Roughing the Passer - Listen
Oct. 1: Abnormal Course Condition - Listen
Sept. 25: Tennis Nets - Listen
Sept. 18: Libero - Listen
Sept. 10: Cross Country Uniforms - Listen
Sept. 3: Soccer Handling - Listen
Aug. 24: Football Holding - Listen
(Photo by Adam Sheehan.)