Be the Referee: Clocking From Shotgun
September 24, 2020
This week, MHSAA Assistant Director Brent Rice explains a change in football that gives teams another way to stop the clock while on offense.
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 - Clocking the Ball from the Shotgun - Listen
One of the other visible rules changes taking place this year in football pertains to the quarterback spiking the ball into the ground after receiving the snap from center in an attempt to stop the clock.
Previously, clocking the ball in an effort to preserve time could only be done from a traditional hand-to-hand snap from the center to the quarterback – which actually worked to the disadvantage of teams which run shotgun formations all the time.
The rules change allows the quarterback from a shotgun formation to immediately spike the ball into the ground after receiving it to stop the clock with an incomplete pass, bringing the high school rule in line with the college and professional rules.
Be the Referee: Football Finals Instant Replay
By
Paige Winne
MHSAA Marketing & Social Media Coordinator
November 25, 2025
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 Finals Instant Replay - Listen
During the 11-Player Football Finals, coaches will have the ability to challenge plays – but there are some limitations to what they can challenge.
First, a team must have a timeout available and call it to initiate a review.
Second, there are a limited number of items that can be reviewed. Those include catch or no catch. Ball carrier in or out of bounds. Forward or backward pass. And a handful of others.
If successful, the coach will be given back the timeout.
In overtime, coaches can challenge once, no matter how many overtime periods are played – and only if they have a timeout.
All potential scoring and turnover plays will continue to be automatically reviewed.
Previous 2025-26 editions
Nov. 18: Volleyball Libero Uniforms - Listen
Nov. 11: Illegal Substitution/Participation - Listen
Nov. 4: Losing a Shoe - Listen
Oct. 28: Unusual Soccer Goals - Listen
Oct. 21: Field Hockey Penalty Stroke - Listen
Oct. 14: Tennis Double Hit - Listen
Oct. 7: Safety in Football - Listen
Sept. 30: Field Hockey Substitution - Listen
Sept 23: Multiple Contacts in Volleyball - Listen
Sept. 16: Soccer Penalty Kick - Listen
Sept. 9: Forward Fumble - Listen
Sept. 2: Field Hockey Basics - Listen
Aug. 26: Golf Ball Bounces Out - Listen