Officiate Michigan Day Goes Virtual for 2021
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
August 3, 2021
The first two Officiate Michigan Day events in 2013 and 2018 gave hundreds of Michigan game officials opportunities to come together for education and camaraderie, something tough to replicate for an Officiate Michigan Day III to be hosted virtually this summer due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
But a series of 26 views posted to the MHSAA's YouTube feed this week instead already have been watched nearly 1,400 times, with the ability to reach hundreds more dedicated to honing their craft.
As in years past, these OMD videos offer speakers and panel discussions and address general officiating topics and also sport-specific subjects. Below is the first of those 26 videos, addressing associations and helping officials reach their goals. Or, click for the playlist in its entirety: Officiate Michigan Day.
Be the Referee: Football Rules Changes
September 5, 2019
This week, MHSAA Assistant Director Brent Rice discusses a pair of football rules changes made the enhance safety.
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 - Football Safety Rules Changes - Listen
Among our football rules changes for this year are two which involve player safety.
The foul for tripping has been expanded to include a trip on the ball carrier. Intentionally tripping any player on the field – using the lower leg or foot to obstruct an opponent below the knees – will result in a 15-yard penalty.
And the definition of a horse-collar tackle has been expanded to include bringing down a runner backwards or sideways by grabbing the nameplate area on the back of the jersey – or inside the neck area of the jersey or shoulder plate. The penalty for a horse-collar tackle is 15 yards.
Past editions
Aug. 29: 40-Second Play Clock - Listen