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: Dog Days of February

    February 15, 2018

    In this week's edition, assistant director Mark Uyl talks about some of the challenges that arise during a pivotal point every basketball season. 

    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 – Dog Days of February - Listen

    Every summer, we hear broadcasters talk about the “Dog Days” of the major league baseball season during the month of August and into September, when everybody hits the proverbial wall.

    During the month of February, we have also arrived at the Dog Days of the high school basketball season. All of the work that’s gone in in the previous three months is beginning to add up, for both coaches and officials alike. For coaches, it’s managing the pressures and expectations within each of their teams; and for officials, all of those miles up and down the floor are beginning to add up.

    It’s this time of year where both groups need to refocus and re-energize themselves to give students the best possible experience during the month of March.

    Past editions
    February 8: National Playing Rules Process - Listen
    February 1: Calling Intentional Fouls - Listen
    January 25: Points at the Edge of the Mat - Listen
    January 18: Behavior Warning - Listen
    January 11: Ice Hockey Safe & Sound - Listen
    January 4: Why No Shot Clock - Listen
    December 21: Coaches Responsible for Equipment - Listen
    December 14: Mentoring New Officials - Listen
    December 7: Dive on the Floor - Listen
    November 30: Wrestling Weight Monitoring - Listen
    November 23: Ejections - Listen
    November 16: Toughest Call - Listen
    November 9: Hurdling - Listen
    November 2: The Survey Says - Listen
    October 26: Helmet Comes Off -
     Listen
    October 19: Goal Line Rules - Listen
    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