Be the Referee: Video Review - Part 1

January 8, 2015

This week, MHSAA assistant director Mark Uyl explains the use of video replay during MHSAA tournament events. 

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 1 - Listen

Over the past decade, the biggest change in all sports at the collegiate and professional levels, has been the expanded use of instant replay – or video review – relative to officiating decisions.

At the high school level, video review is currently used in two sports – ice hockey and basketball; is only used for the final two rounds of the MHSAA Tournament - Semifinals and Finals; and is allowed in very limited circumstances.

In ice hockey, video review can be used to determine whether or not a goal has or has not been scored and if it was scored before time expires; and in basketball, as time expires in the fourth quarter or overtime, video can be used to determine if the shot has gotten off in time and if the try was a two-point or three-point attempt.

Past editions
Dec. 17 - Registration Part 2 - Listen
Dec. 10 - Registration Part 1 - Listen
Dec. 3 - Legacy Program - Listen
Nov. 26 - Sideline Management - Listen
Nov. 19 - 7-Person Mechanics - Listen
Nov. 12 - Blocking Below the Waist - Listen
Nov. 5 - Tournament Selection - Listen
Oct. 29 - Uncatchable Pass - Listen
Oct. 22 - Preparation for Officials - Listen
Oct. 15 - Automatic First Downs - Listen
Oct. 8 - Officials & Injuries - Listen
Oct. 1 - Overtime - Listen
Sept. 25 - Field Goals - Listen
Sept. 18 - Tackle Box - Listen
Sept. 11 - Pass Interference - Listen
Aug. 25 - Targeting - Listen

Be the Referee: Tournament Selection

November 6, 2014

This week, MHSAA assistant director Mark Uyl explains how officials are selected to work MHSAA football playoff games. 

"Be the Referee" is designed to help educate people on the rules of different sports, to help them better understand the art of officiating and to recruit officials. The segment can be heard on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays during the school year on The Drive With Jack Ebling on WVFN-AM, East Lansing.

Below is this week's segment - Tournament Selection - Listen

Today we are going to talk about how officials are selected for the MHSAA Football Playoffs. 

Just as the best teams advance in the tournament week after week, the best officiating crews advance in the tournament in much the same way. 

For a crew to be eligible for assignment, many requirements have to be met prior to the season. Verification that the crew has worked a full schedule, making sure that the crew has completed the annual rules meeting, as well as a football rules test. Much weight is given to ratings -- each crew is rated by schools on a 1-5 scale following each game -- as well as observation reports where officiating experts go out and either watch crews work live or on video to make sure that the best crews advance throughout the tournament.

Past editions
Oct. 29 - Uncatchable Pass - Listen
Oct. 22 - Preparation for Officials - Listen
Oct. 15 - Automatic First Downs - Listen
Oct. 8 - Officials & Injuries - Listen
Oct. 1 - Overtime - Listen
Sept. 25 - Field Goals - Listen
Sept. 18 - Tackle Box - Listen
Sept. 11 - Pass Interference - Listen
Aug. 25 - Targeting - Listen