Be the Referee: You Make the OT Call

September 26, 2019

This week, MHSAA assistant director Brent Rice presents a "You Make the Call" regarding a penalty during football overtime.

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 - You Make the Overtime Call - Listen

Let’s test your rules knowledge with this football You Make The Call.

A close game has gone to overtime, and Team A scores a touchdown on its first possession. During the extra point try, the kick is good, but Team B is called for roughing the kicker. What are Team A’s options?

You make the call.

In this case, the kicking team has two options – one is to accept the penalty and reattempt the point after from a yard and a half out, or accept the penalty on the succeeding spot, which would begin Team B’s overtime possession – 1st and Goal – that’s right – 1st and goal – at the 25-yard line.

Sept. 19: Swimming Finishing Touch - Listen
Sept. 12: Curbing Gamesmanship By Substitution - Listen
Sept. 5: Football Safety Rules Changes - Listen
Aug. 29: 40-Second Play Clock - Listen

Be the Referee: Field Hockey Substitution

By Paige Winne
MHSAA Marketing & Social Media Coordinator

September 30, 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 – Field Hockey Substitution - Listen

We are on the pitch today for a field hockey “You Make the Call.”

During the execution of a penalty corner, the defending goalkeeper is struck on the hand and cannot continue. How is play resumed?

  • Allow a properly equipped goalkeeper to substitute.
  • Disallow any substitution; the injured goalkeeper must remain in the game.
  • The defending team shall forfeit.

If you said to allow the substitution, you are correct. Under Rule 4-4-3, a goalkeeper substitution is permitted during a penalty corner in the event of injury or suspension. Once the new goalkeeper is ready, resume play with the continuation of the penalty corner.

Field players, however, may not substitute until the penalty corner has been completed. This ensures proper game flow while prioritizing player safety.

Previous 2025-26 editions

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

(Photo by Louis Murray.)