Be the Referee: Athletic Empty Nesters
October 5, 2017
In this week's edition, MHSAA assistant director Mark Uyl talks about one of our prized recruiting targets when it comes to pursuing new officials.
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 – Athletic Empty Nesters - Listen
The recruitment of new officials is an ongoing task for the MHSAA.
Over the years, most recruiting efforts have sought to target young people, finding those graduating high school senior student athletes, or pursuing those college students who are looking for a way to make some extra cash while in school in becoming a sports official.
One group, however, that we’re continuing to recruit are what we call the athletic empty nesters. It’s those moms and dads who have been following their kids as they played their own high school sports. Once the kids have finished their time on the team, we’d like to get those moms and dads to become part of our team and become an official.
There’s Help Wanted – Just Whistle!
Past editions
September 28: Misunderstood Football Rules: Kicking - Listen
September 21: Preparation for Officials - Listen
September 14: Always Stay Registered - Listen
September 7: Other Football Rules Changes - Listen
August 31: Pop-Up Onside Kicks - Listen
August 24: Blindside Blocks - Listen
Be the Referee: Pop-Up Onside Kicks
August 31, 2017
This week, "Be the Referee" with MHSAA assistant director Mark Uyl explains an onside kicking technique no longer allowed as the second of a three-part series on football rules changes for 2017.
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 – Pop-Up Onside Kicks - Listen
One of the most exciting plays is the onside kick, which has turned the tide around in many games.
In the interest of safety, national high school rules this year have eliminated the onside kick where the ball is kicked with great force off the tee into the ground, generating a pop-up ball, which creates a dangerous recovery situation.
This kind of pop-up kick will immediately be blown dead by the officials, and a five-yard penalty will be assessed to the kicking team.
Onside kicks which are dribbled along the ground, hitting at least twice, are still legal by rule; and the kicker can still pooch kick the ball straight up into the air off the tee.
But the pop-up kick which hits the ground first, and bounces only once is no longer a playable ball.
Past editions
August 24: Blindside Blocks - Listen