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: More Injury Time

    November 26, 2019

    This week, MHSAA officials coordinator Sam Davis discusses a change to the wrestling injury time rule to allow for more time to evaluate head and neck injuries.

    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 - More Injury Time - Listen

    A new rule in wrestling for the upcoming season allows for additional time to evaluate head and neck injuries.

    If an injury occurs involving the head, neck, cervical column and/or nervous system and an appropriate health care professional is present, that caregiver may request the traditional 90 seconds of injury time be extended up to a maximum of five minutes to evaluate the injury. Before that time expires, the wrestler must be ready and able to continue the match or it will be defaulted.

    Absent the presence of an appropriate health care professional, all head and neck injuries are subject to the traditional 90 seconds of injury time.

    Under the new rule, it is not up to the official to determine if additional time is needed – that is the call of the appropriate health care professional. 

    Past editions

    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