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