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: Block/Charge Calls

    March 29, 2016

    This week, MHSAA assistant director Mark Uyl explains what is often considered the most difficult call to make in all of sports officiating. 

    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 - Block/Charge - Listen

    It’s often been said that the most difficult call to make in all of sports officiating is the block/charge in basketball.

    When you’re watching your next basketball game, the key for the official in getting the play correct is determining whether or not the defender gets in a legal guarding position. Many times we’ll hear announcers and commentators talk about the defender having his feet planted and stationary; that actually isn’t required by the rule. The rules require the defender to be in a legal guarding position, which is a position where it’s facing the offensive player and they’ve established a position in advance of the offensive player.

    If the defender is in illegal position, the contact is now a charge. 

    Past editions:
    March 10: Ball Stuck on the Rim - Listen
    March 3: Three Seconds - Listen
    Feb. 25: Deciding the Game - Listen
    Feb. 18 : Cheer Safety - Listen
    Feb. 11: Primary Areas - Listen
    Feb. 4: Block/Charge Calls - Listen
    Jan. 28: Dive on the Floor - Listen
    Jan. 21: Hockey Officials' Options - Listen
    Jan. 14: Recruiting Officials - Listen
    Jan. 7: Wrestling Weight Monitoring - Listen
    Dec. 31: Respect for Referees - Listen
    Dec. 24: Basketball Instant Replay - Listen
    Dec. 17: Basketball Communication - Listen
    Dec. 10: Basketball Excessive Contact - Listen
    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