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

Be the Referee: Switching Sides

By Sam Davis
MHSAA Director of Officials

September 6, 2022

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 – Switching Sides - Listen

In volleyball, a rules modification that came about during COVID has been instated as a permanent change - with overwhelming support from coaches and officials.

Previously, teams would switch sides after each set, sometimes creating a traffic jam as players and coaches move benches from side to side. Unless there is a clear competitive advantage, there is no switching now. Coaches like having a dedicated home bench and the improved pace of the match.

Things that would necessitate teams switching would be less serving room on one end of the court, a window on one side with the sun shining in, or an overhead obstruction on one end.

It’s up to the official to determine if an advantage exists and if teams will switch at the end of each set – or stay on the same side for the entirety of the match.

Previous Editions:

Aug. 30: Play Clock - Listen
Aug. 23: Intentional Grounding Change
- Listen