Be the Referee: Kick Returns

October 1, 2015

This week, MHSAA assistant director Mark Uyl explains the difference in high school kick return rules from those in the college and professional 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 - Kick Returns - Listen



One of the biggest differences in high school football rules and those in college and pro deal with kick returns. In the high school game, once a kick (a punt or kickoff) breaks the plane of the goal line, the ball is dead and a touchback is awarded. 


The key is the position of the ball … if it breaks the plane of the goal line, it is a touchback. It does not matter where the feet of the returner are located. That is why the longest kick return possible under high school rules is 99 yards.

Past editions:
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

Officials Honored for Service Milestones

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

June 25, 2020

The MHSAA annually honors high school game officials with 20, 30, 40, 45 and 50 years of service at its Officials’ Awards & Alumni Banquet.

However, this spring’s banquet was canceled due to COVID-19. Instead, we present this virtual recognition for 322 officials who celebrated a milestone school year.

Twenty-three officials with 50 years of service are honored below, along with 55 officials with 45 years. A 40-year award has been presented to 55 officials. In addition, 108 officials with 30 years and 181 officials with 20 years of experience are honored.