Be the Referee: Goal Line Rules

October 18, 2017

In this week's edition, assistant director Mark Uyl explains a pair of rules that govern the football goal line when the defense gets the ball.

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 – Goal Line Rules - Listen

At all levels of football rules, the most important line on the field is always the goal line. At the high school level, there are some very unique rules that govern the goal line, especially when the defense gets possession of the ball.

First is on a normal scrimmage play. If the defense gets possession of the ball in the end zone, either by picking up a fumble or intercepting a pass, that ball remains in play and the defense can return it all the way for a score.

However, on an extra point play or on any kicking play, once the ball is possessed by the defense in the end zone, the ball is dead, and no return or advance can be made.

Past editions
October 12: No 1st-Year Fee - Listen
October 5: Athletic Empty Nesters - Listen
September 28: Misunderstood Football Rules: Kicking - Listen
September 21: Preparation for Officials - Listen
September 14: Always Stay Registered - Listen
September 7: Other Football Rules Changes - Listen
August 31: Pop-Up Onside Kicks - Listen
August 24: Blindside Blocks - Listen

Be the Referee: Ice Hockey Overtime

January 19, 2017

This week, MHSAA assistant director Mark Uyl explains high school overtime rules for ice hockey.

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 – Ice Hockey Overtime - Listen

It has often been said that one of the most dramatic moments in sports is in a hockey game that is a one-goal game or tied late in the game.

In ice hockey at the high school level, MHSAA regulations deal with overtime and how ties will be broken in the postseason tournament. If a game is tied at the end of regulation, up to four separate 8-minute sudden-victory overtime periods will be played. In other words, once a team scores a goal, the game is over and that team wins.

If these four 8-minute overtime periods do not produce a winner, then the game continues with 8-minute periods of 4-on-4 on each side.

Past editions
Jan 12: Free Throw Change - Listen
Jan. 5: Ratings - Listen
Dec. 22: Video Review - Part 2 - Listen
Dec. 15: Video Review - Part 1 - Listen
Dec. 8: Registration - Part 2 - Listen
Dec. 1: Registration - Part 1 - Listen
Nov. 24: You Make the Call - Sleeper Play - Listen
Nov. 17: Automatic 1st Downs - Listen
Nov. 10: Uncatchable Pass - Listen
Nov. 3: The Goal Line - Listen
Oct. 27: Help Us Retain Officials - Listen
Oct. 20: Point After Touchdown - Listen
Oct. 13: Untimed Down - Listen
Oct. 6: Soccer Penalty Kick Change - Listen
Sept. 29: Preparation for Officials - Listen
Sept 22: You Make the Call: Returning Kickoffs - Listen
Sept. 15: Concussions - Listen
Sept 8: Equipment Covering the Knees - Listen
Sept. 1: Play Clock Experiment - Listen
Aug. 25: Clipping in the Free Blocking Zone - Listen