Be the Referee: No 1st-Year Fee

October 12, 2017

In this week's edition, assistant director Mark Uyl explains the minimal costs of becoming an official and how the MHSAA further helps those signing up for the first time by the waiving registration fee.

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 – No 1st-Year Fee - Listen


We often get asked the question – exactly how much does it cost to become an official?

The first step in the process includes registering with the MHSAA, which costs roughly $50. With this $50, an official gets rules books, case books, mechanics manuals and over $1 million in liability insurance coverage.

For anyone registering for the first time, the MHSAA waives that fee in the first year. With someone who is new to officiating, the cost of purchasing a uniform, equipment, and attending some camps and clinics are going to be first-year expenditures – which is why that first year is free on the MHSAA.

Past editions
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

Be the Referee: Girls Lacrosse Self-Start

By Paige Winne
MHSAA Marketing & Social Media Coordinator

May 10, 2023

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 – Girls Lacrosse Self-Start - Listen

You make the call: In girls lacrosse … when can a player self-start?

New this year, when there is a foul by an attack player within the critical scoring area when the game clock is running, the defensive player awarded the free position is allowed self-start.

If the game clock is stopped, it will be a whistle-start.

When else can a player self-start?

a) On an offside foul
b) On a defensive foul in the critical scoring area
c) On a defensive foul in the midfield
d) After a misconduct card has been issued

The correct answer is on a defensive foul in the midfield. For any fouls in the midfield when the clock is running, the player who was fouled may self-start from a settled stance within four meters of the spot of the foul.

Previous Editions:

May 2: Baseball/Softball Overthrow - Listen
April 25: Fifth-Quarter/Third-Half Rule - Listen
April 18: Soccer Referee in Play? - Listen
April 11: Softball Strikeout - Listen
March 14: Basketball Instant Replay - Listen
March 7: Hockey Overtime - Listen
Feb. 28: Baker Bowling - Listen
Feb. 21: Ski Finish - Listen
Feb. 14: Swimming Touchpads - Listen
Feb. 7: In or Out-of-Bounds in Wrestling - Listen
Jan. 31: Over the Back - Listen
Jan. 24: Competitive Cheer Judges - Listen
Jan. 17: More Lines - Listen
Jan. 10: On the Line - Listen
Jan. 3: Basketball Measurements - Listen
Dec. 13: Pregame Dunks - Listen
Dec. 6: Gymnastics Judges - Listen
Nov. 22: Football Finals Replay - Listen
Nov. 15: Back Row Illegal Blocker - Listen
Nov. 8: Swim Turn Judges - Listen
Nov. 1: Soccer Referee Jersey Colors - Listen
Oct. 25: Cross Country Tie-Breaker - Listen
Oct. 18: Soccer Shootouts - Listen
Oct. 11: Safety in End ZoneListen
Oct. 4: Football Overtime Penalty - Listen
Sept. 27: Kickoff Goal - Listen
Sept. 20: Soccer Timing - Listen
Sept. 13: Volleyball Replays - Listen
Sept. 6: Switching Sides - Listen
Aug. 30: Play Clock - Listen
Aug. 23: Intentional Grounding Change
- Listen