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: Communication

    December 17, 2015

    This week, MHSAA assistant director Mark Uyl explains the expectations for officials working with coaches during basketball games.  

    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 - Basketball Communication - Listen

    The most challenging task in officiating any basketball game for referees is effectively working with coaches. In a perfect world, coaches would simply ask questions on plays they had questions or concerns about and the official would simply respond with a description of what he or she saw on the play. 

    The very best basketball officials keep the communication with coaches during a game a conversation, not an ongoing argument. Officials need to always be in control of their emotions, answer questions from coaches honestly and head off behavior early that is argumentative and unprofessional. Coaches and officials working together makes for a much better game as everyone in the gym – players, media members and spectators – take their cues for how coaches are acting. When coaches are professional with officials, the entire atmosphere is so much more positive.

    Past editions:
    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