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: Minimum Number of Volleyball Players

By Paige Winne
MHSAA Director of Brand Management

September 29, 2026

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 – Minimum Number of Volleyball Players - Listen

We’re on the volleyball court today, where the home team starts the match with only six players.

Midway through the first set, one of those six players suffers an ankle injury and can’t continue – leaving the home team with just five players.

What should happen?

Is the home team forced to default the match for not having enough players?

Does the home team just continue playing with five?

Or do they continue playing with five, but with the loss of rally or point every time the player lost to injury’s position rotates to serve?

If you said they can continue playing but lose a rally or point every time the injured player’s position rotates to serve, you are correct!

A minimum of six is needed to start – but you can finish a match with fewer than that.

Previous 2026-27 editions

Sept 22: Soccer Changes - Listen
Sept: 15: Dead Ball Penalty - Listen
Sept. 8: Libero Ejected - Listen
Sept. 1: Soccer Foul After Shot on Goal - Listen
Aug. 25: Fumble Out of Bounds - Listen