Be the Referee: Girls Lacrosse Self-Start
By
Paige Winne
MHSAA Director of Brand Management
May 10, 2023
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 – Girls Lacrosse Self-Start - Listen
You make the call: In girls lacrosse … when can a player self-start?
New this year, when there is a foul by an attack player within the critical scoring area when the game clock is running, the defensive player awarded the free position is allowed self-start.
If the game clock is stopped, it will be a whistle-start.
When else can a player self-start?
a) On an offside foul
b) On a defensive foul in the critical scoring area
c) On a defensive foul in the midfield
d) After a misconduct card has been issued
The correct answer is on a defensive foul in the midfield. For any fouls in the midfield when the clock is running, the player who was fouled may self-start from a settled stance within four meters of the spot of the foul.
Previous Editions:
May 2: Baseball/Softball Overthrow - Listen
April 25: Fifth-Quarter/Third-Half Rule - Listen
April 18: Soccer Referee in Play? - Listen
April 11: Softball Strikeout - Listen
March 14: Basketball Instant Replay - Listen
March 7: Hockey Overtime - Listen
Feb. 28: Baker Bowling - Listen
Feb. 21: Ski Finish - Listen
Feb. 14: Swimming Touchpads - Listen
Feb. 7: In or Out-of-Bounds in Wrestling - Listen
Jan. 31: Over the Back - Listen
Jan. 24: Competitive Cheer Judges - Listen
Jan. 17: More Lines - Listen
Jan. 10: On the Line - Listen
Jan. 3: Basketball Measurements - Listen
Dec. 13: Pregame Dunks - Listen
Dec. 6: Gymnastics Judges - Listen
Nov. 22: Football Finals Replay - Listen
Nov. 15: Back Row Illegal Blocker - Listen
Nov. 8: Swim Turn Judges - Listen
Nov. 1: Soccer Referee Jersey Colors - Listen
Oct. 25: Cross Country Tie-Breaker - Listen
Oct. 18: Soccer Shootouts - Listen
Oct. 11: Safety in End Zone - Listen
Oct. 4: Football Overtime Penalty - Listen
Sept. 27: Kickoff Goal - Listen
Sept. 20: Soccer Timing - Listen
Sept. 13: Volleyball Replays - Listen
Sept. 6: Switching Sides - Listen
Aug. 30: Play Clock - Listen
Aug. 23: Intentional Grounding Change - Listen
'Crew of the Month' Recognized for Excellence On Field, Impacts as Mentors & Recruiters
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
November 11, 2026
Valued for their work on the field and off, the Eastern Michigan Officials Association football crew led by referee Joel Venia has been named the Michigan “High School Officiating Crew of the Month” for October by the Detroit Lions.
Venia, from Marysville, is joined by umpire John Schwelhofer (Marysville), head linesman Mike Roosen (Macomb), line judge Tom Mailoux (Capac), back judge Ken Marzka (Lakeport), side judge Paul Guttowsky (Allentown) and field judge David Wood (Jeddo). The crew was one of the first in the EMOA to expand to seven officials and is often requested by schools for their biggest games.
They are noted for the wisdom and leadership they individually supply during local association meetings, with multiple serving as board members. They also are recognized for their mentorship of developing officials – and this crew has recruited a total of 12 new football officials over the last few years.
The Lions, in partnership with the MHSAA and National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), are recognizing an officiating crew monthly this season.