Logo

Be the Referee: Under the Bus

March 16, 2017

This week, MHSAA assistant director Mark Uyl explains why officials are not the correct target for criticism when a basketball game gets chippy or sloppy. 

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 – Under the Bus - Listen

It seems whenever a high school game breaks down in a negative way, the coaches, players, fans, and school administrators quickly blame the officials. It’s easy to take out aggression on these nameless, faceless, almost inanimate objects.

But sloppy or chippy play is on the coaches to control – not the officials – as they simply call what happens. Fans up in the stands then quickly follow the lead of their coach berating the officials, thinking they are so well versed in the art of officiating – but often don’t have the guts to put on the stripes themselves. Officials aren’t perfect, but often they have to clean up messes created by others during the game – the people who should really be thrown under the bus.

    Past editions
    March 9: Hockey Hits - Listen
    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: Why No Shot Clock?

    January 4, 2018

    In this week's edition, assistant director Mark Uyl explains why Michigan, and many other states, have chosen to not adopt a shot clock for basketball.

    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 – Why No Shot Clock - Listen

    One of the more hotly debated topics in world of high school basketball over the last six or seven years has been the topic of the shot clock. There are some parts of the country that advocate the use of a shot clock. However, Michigan along with many of the other Midwest states, have opposed adding the shot clock to high school basketball.

    One reason is the feedback we get from our basketball coaches that the shot clock is not needed or necessary. That by adding this new rule, it would not improve or increase the level of play at the high school level. Plus, there are logistical considerations at all schools, that if we used the shot clock would have to have personnel to run that equipment correctly.

    Past editions
    December 21: Coaches Responsible for Equipment - Listen
    December 14: Mentoring New Officials - Listen
    December 7: Dive on the Floor - Listen
    November 30: Wrestling Weight Monitoring - Listen
    November 23: Ejections - Listen
    November 16: Toughest Call - Listen
    November 9: Hurdling - Listen
    November 2: The Survey Says - Listen
    October 26: Helmet Comes Off -     Listen
    October 19: Goal Line Rules - Listen
    October 12: No 1st-Year Fee - Listen
    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