Be the Referee: Wrestling Health Concern

January 28, 2015

This week, MHSAA assistant director Mark Uyl addresses health concerns in wrestling with a focus on prevention. 

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 - Wrestling Health Concerns - Listen

It’s often been said that the toughest six minutes in all of sports can be found on a wrestling mat. The sport of high school wrestling can be one of the most physically and mentally challenging endeavors that a young person can ever experience. 

However, the rewards that kids can find through the sport of wrestling can be some of the most rewarding experiences that someone can find anywhere. The biggest challenge right now in keeping wrestling strong and growing is the prevention of communicable disease. 

Staph infections such as MRSA are one of the key threats right now to wrestling, and schools, wrestlers and officials need to be diligent daily in keeping mats clean and using good hygiene habits to prevent the spread of these skin-to-skin conditions.

Past editions
Jan. 19 - Basketball Physical Contact - Listen
Jan. 12 - Video Review Part 2 - Listen
Dec. 29 - Video Review Part 1 - Listen
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: Back Row Illegal Blocker

By Sam Davis
MHSAA Director of Officials

November 15, 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 – Back Row Illegal Blocker - Listen

We’re on the volleyball court today where Team A’s back-row setter is in the front zone near the net and jumps to try to make the team’s second contact. The ball enters the plane of the net where Team A’s back-row setter and Team B’s front row player simultaneously touch the ball above the top of the net. What’s the call?

Illegal block on Team A’s back-row setter.

A back-row player attempting to play a ball in the space directly above the net is considered an illegal blocker if the ball is attacked or blocked by an opponent into the back-row player while reaching above the height of the net.

Team B would receive a point and would be next to serve.

Previous Editions:

Nov. 4: Swim Turn Judges - Listen
Oct. 25: Soccer Referee Jersey Colors - Listen
Oct. 18: Cross Country Tie-Breaker - Listen
Oct. 11: 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