Be the Referee: Golf Rules Changes

October 10, 2019

This week, MHSAA officials coordinator Sam Davis explains new rules in golf for 2019-2020, including those pertaining to the use of cell phones during play. 

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 - Golf Rules Changes - Listen

Even though golf rules are mostly on the integrity of the players, there are several MHSAA-enacted changes that take effect this year. 

One allows for the use of cell phones to call a coach or meet administrator for health and safety issues, the inputting of live scores, to contact a rules official with questions and to use as a distance-measuring device. 

Dedicated distance finder devices will also be allowed for use in MHSAA Tournament play.  

Another new local rule caps the maximum score per hole at 12 strokes in tournament activity.

Past editions

Oct. 3: No Tackle Box - Listen
Sept. 26: You Make the Overtime Call - Listen
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: Backcourt Violation?

January 31, 2019

This week, MHSAA officials coordinator Sam Davis explains an often misunderstood backcourt/frontcourt basketball scenario. 

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 – Backcourt Violation? - Listen

Let’s test your knowledge of high school basketball rules with this you make the call:

During a jump ball, a throw-in or while on defense, a player jumps from the forecourt, secures control of the ball with both feet in the air, and returns to the floor with one or both feet in the backcourt. You make the call.

Is this a backcourt violation or does play continue? In this situation, a player may make a normal landing on the floor without regard to where his or her feet come down. It makes no difference whether the first foot down is in the frontcourt or the backcourt. There is no backcourt – or what some would call an over-and-back – violation, and play continues with a fresh 10-second count applied if necessary to advance the ball into the frontcourt.

Past editions

January 24: Required Hockey Equipment - Listen
January 17: You Make the Call: 10-Second Clock - Listen
January 10: Tripping in Hockey - Listen
January 3: Sliding in Basketball - Listen
December 27: Stalling in Wrestling - Listen
December 20: Basketball: You Make the Call - Listen
December 13: Basketball Uniform Safety - Listen
December 6: Coaching Box Expansion - Listen
November 29: Video Review, Part 2 - Listen
November 22: Video Review, Part 1 - Listen
November 15: You Make the Call - Sleeper Play - Listen
November 8: 7-Person Football Crews - Listen
November 1: Overtime Differences - Listen
October 25: Trickery & Communication - Listen
October 18: Punts & Missed Field Goals - Listen
October 11: What Officials Don't Do - Listen
October 4: Always 1st-and-Goal - Listen
September 27: Unique Kickoff Option - Listen
September 20: Uncatchable Pass - Listen
September 13: Soccer Rules Change - Listen
September 6: You Make the Call: Face Guarding - Listen
August 30: 40-Second Play Clock - Listen
August 23: Football Rules Changes - Listen