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Be the Referee: Hockey Hits

March 9, 2017

This week, MHSAA assistant director Mark Uyl discusses how illegal hockey hits have no place in the game and how they're being watched for closely.

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 – Hockey Hits - Listen

At the high school level in all contact sports, there continues to be a focus on protecting players and preserving player safety. This year in ice hockey, hits to the head and fighting are never to be considered part of the game at the high school level.

Hits from behind, high elbows, forearms, high sticks or shoving the head or neck area have no value to the game and only increase the risk of injury to players. The game of hockey is one of great skill, speed and finesse; and these dirty and unnecessary hits are now clearly illegal.

    Past editions
    March 2: Deciding the Game - Listen
    Feb. 23: Pitch Counts - Listen
    Feb. 16: Recruiting Officials - Listen
    Feb. 9: Ejections - Listen
    Feb. 2: Wrestling & Technology - Listen
    Jan. 26: Post Play - Listen
    Jan. 19: Ice Hockey Overtime - Listen
    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

    Be the Referee

    Be the Referee: Field Goal Falls Short

    By Sam Davis
    MHSAA Director of Officials

    September 30, 2021

    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 – Field Goal Falls Short - Listen

    Three things can happen if a field goal attempt crosses the line of scrimmage but comes up short of the goal line. Do you know all three?

    First, the ball can go out of bounds. If that happens, the ball is dead and on the change of possession, the team newly on offense takes over where the ball went out of bounds.

    Second, the kicking team can be the first to touch the ball. When that happens, this is the first touching and again the team newly on offense takes over where the ball was downed.

    And third, the receiving team can return the kick. And they would take over on offense after the returner has been tackled or goes out of bounds.

    Think of a field goal attempt as a punt, and you’ll always know what’s possible if the kick comes up short of the goal line.

    Previous editions

    Sept. 23: Volleyball Obstruction - Listen
    Sept. 16: Catch or No Catch - Listen
    Sept. 9: Intentional Grounding – Listen 
    Sept. 2: Pass Interference – Listen 
    Aug. 26: Protocols and Mechanics – Listen