Be the Referee: Uncatchable Pass
September 20, 2018
This week, MHSAA Executive Director Mark Uyl explains the differences between high school and college and pro rules when it comes to an uncatchable pass.
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 – Uncatchable Pass - Listen
Today we’re going to talk about one of the most misunderstood rules at the high school level, and that deals with the uncatchable pass.
All of us have sat in front of our televisions on Saturday or Sunday and seen the long pass get thrown, followed immediately by the throwing of the flag. As the officials discuss what happened, the referee invariably clicks on the microphone and announces that there is no foul for pass interference because the pass was uncatchable.
At the high school level, that is not a factor in deciding whether or not pass interference has occurred. The ball does not have to be catchable, and if the contact is ruled as pass interference, that foul stands, regardless of the quality of the pass.
Past editions
September 13: Soccer Rules Change - Listen
September 6: You Make the Call: Face Guarding - Listen
August 30: 40-Second Play Clock - Listen
August 23: Football Rules Changes - Listen
Be the Referee: Video Replay, Part 2
November 29, 2018
This week, MHSAA Executive Director Mark Uyl explains some of the main obstacles standing in the way of increased use of replay at the high school level.
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 – Video Review, Part 2 - Listen
In last week’s segment, we talked about the expanded use of instant replay for officials at both the collegiate and professional levels. The question is often asked of the MHSAA, “When are you going to use more instant replay at the high school level?”
Currently, there are a number of obstacles that prevent this, the first dealing with volume. With over 700 member schools in the MHSAA, hundreds of games and contests are played on virtually every night of the week. The second deals with cost and camera angles. At the high school level, most games are typically filmed or videoed using only a single camera from a set location, which precludes the use of various angles that would assist in getting the call correct.
Past editions
November 22: Video Review, Part 1 - Listen
November 15: You Make the Call - Sleeper Play - Listen
November 8: 7-Person Football Crews - Listen
November 1: Overtime Differences - Listen
October 25: Trickery & Communication - Listen
October 18: Punts & Missed Field Goals - Listen
October 11: What Officials Don't Do - Listen
October 4: Always 1st-and-Goal - Listen
September 27: Unique Kickoff Option - Listen
September 20: Uncatchable Pass - Listen
September 13: Soccer Rules Change - Listen
September 6: You Make the Call: Face Guarding - Listen
August 30: 40-Second Play Clock - Listen
August 23: Football Rules Changes - Listen