Be the Referee: Volleyball Back-Row Block
By
Sam Davis
MHSAA Director of Officials
October 28, 2021
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 – Volleyball Back-Row Block – Listen
We’re on the volleyball court today where Team A’s back-row setter is in the front zone near the net and jumps to try to make the team’s second contact. The ball enters the plane of the net where Team A’s back-row setter and Team B’s front row player simultaneously touch the ball above the top of the net. What’s the call?
Illegal block on Team A’s back-row setter.
A back-row player attempting to play a ball in the space directly above the net is considered an illegal blocker if the ball is attacked or blocked by an opponent into the back-row player while reaching above the height of the net.
Team B receives a point and would be next to serve.
Previous editions
Oct. 21: Soccer Disallowed Goal – Listen
Sept 30: Field Goal Falls Short – Listen
Sept. 23: Volleyball Obstruction – Listen
Sept. 16: Catch or No Catch – Listen
Sept. 9: Intentional Grounding – Listen
Sept. 2: Pass Interference – Listen
Aug. 26: Protocols and Mechanics – Listen
Be the Referee: Football Overtime Penalty
By
Sam Davis
MHSAA Director of Officials
October 4, 2022
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 Overtime Penalty - Listen
What happens when the defense commits a penalty on an extra point try in overtime?
First, the set up. Team A starts with the ball 1st-and-Goal from the 10. On their very first play, they score a touchdown. The extra point is good – but the defense roughs the kicker. What are Team A’s options?
They can accept the penalty, move the ball closer to the goal line and maybe go for two.
Or, they can take the result of the kick and have the penalty enforced when Team B takes over — which means that instead of 1st-and-Goal from the 10 with a chance to tie the game and send it to a second overtime, Team B would have 1st-and-Goal from the 25.
This costly penalty will certainly have an impact on the next possession, where Team B will need a touchdown.
Previous Editions:
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