Be the Referee: Excessive Contact

December 10, 2015

This week, MHSAA assistant director Mark Uyl explains rules new this basketball season designed to limit physical contact with ball-handlers. 

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 - Basketball Excessive Contact - Listen

The game of basketball is a game of finesse and skill. The basketball playing rules' emphasis and focus for this year continue to work at getting the unnecessary rough and physical play out of basketball.

The acts that constitute a foul when committed against a ball-handler are when a defender…..a) places two hands on the ball handler; b) places an extended arm bar on the ball handler; c) places and keeps a hand on the ball handler; and d) contacts the ball handler more than once with the same hand or alternating hands.

Officials will deem these as automatic fouls, and consistent enforcement will keep the game of basketball a game of skill, not brute force. 

Past editions:
Nov. 26: Pregame Communication - Listen
Nov. 19: Trick Plays - Listen
Nov. 12: 7-Person Football Mechanics - Listen
Nov. 5: Make the Call: Personal Fouls - Listen
Oct. 29: Officials Demographics - Listen
Oct. 15: Make the Call: Intentional Grounding - Listen
Oct. 8: Playoff Selection - Listen
Oct. 1: Kick Returns - Listen
Sept. 24: Concussions - Listen
Sept. 17: Automatic First Downs - Listen
Sept. 10: Correcting a Down - Listen
Sept 3:
Spearing - Listen
Aug. 27: Missed Field Goal - Listen

Be the Referee: Video Review Success

December 5, 2019

This week, MHSAA assistant director Brent Rice discusses the video review utilized for the first time at last weekend's Football Finals, and how it was successful. 

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 - Video Review Success - Listen

For the first time in MHSAA history, video review was utilized to confirm or correct judgment calls on the field for our Football Finals. While there is always some apprehension when adding new technologies to sports, the MHSAA’s approach to a limited replay process, reviewing only those plays that involved turnovers or scores, proved to be a terrific success.

There were a few instances where very close but consequential plays were overturned. However, the biggest confirmation replay provided was something we already knew – that is, that MHSAA officials are putting in hard work and dedication and getting the vast majority of their plays correct in real-time live action.

When needed though, competent replay officials were right on top of the situation to correct the plays without challenges, without controversy and with very little delay in the process.

Past editions

Nov. 28: More Injury Time - Listen
Nov. 21: Football Review - Listen
Nov. 14: Sideline Safety - Listen
Nov. 7: Officials Playlist - Listen
Oct. 31: Most Important Line - Listen
Oct. 24: Automatic 1st Downs - Listen
Oct. 17: Catch Momentum - Listen
Oct. 10: Golf Rules Changes - Listen
Oct. 3: No Tackle Box - Listen
Sept. 26: You Make the Overtime Call - Listen
Sept. 19: Swimming Finishing Touch - Listen
Sept. 12: Curbing Gamesmanship By Substitution - Listen
Sept. 5: Football Safety Rules Changes - Listen
Aug. 29: 40-Second Play Clock - Listen