Be the Referee: Blindside Blocks

August 24, 2017

This week, "Be the Referee" with MHSAA assistant director Mark Uyl returns with the first of a three-part series on football rules changes for 2017, this one on blindside blocking. 

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 – Blindside Blocks - Listen


We're going to start the new school year with a three-part series on football rule changes.

There may be no hit in football that generates more "ohs" and “ahs" than the blindside hit. It's also one of the most dangerous hits in the game.

The defensive player in pursuit of the runner, who does not have a reasonable opportunity to see the oncoming blocker, is considered defenseless. In keeping with putting player safety first, national rules now allow blocking from the blindside only when contact is initiated with the hands – achieving the same effect without all the contact.

That big blindside hit will now result in a 15-yard penalty and possible ejection from the game.

Next week, we'll look at changes to rules covering onside kicks.

Be the Referee: Basketball Goaltending

By Paige Winne
MHSAA Marketing & Social Media Coordinator

December 3, 2024

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 – Basketball Goaltending - Listen

In basketball, what’s the difference between goaltending and defensive basket interference?

Goaltending is when a defensive player touches the ball when it is on its way down toward the basket, or after the ball has hit the backboard and is in a downward trajectory towards the hoop.

Defensive basket interference is when a defender touches the rim or net while the ball is within or on the cylinder. However, if the defender touches only the net and does not affect the shot in any way, then basket interference is not called.

In both instances – goaltending and basket interference – the outcome is treated like a made basket: two points to the offense unless the shot came from behind the 3-point arc, and then it’s worth three points.

Previous 2024-25 Editions

Nov. 26: 11-Player Finals Replay - Listen
Nov. 19: 8-Player vs. 11-Player Football - Listen
Nov. 12: Back Row Setter - Listen
Nov. 5: Football OT - Listen
Oct. 29: Officials Registration - Listen
Oct. 22: Volleyball Serve - Listen
Oct. 15: "You Make the Call"
- Soccer Offside - Listen
Oct. 8: Roughing the Passer - Listen
Oct. 1: Abnormal Course Condition - Listen
Sept. 25: Tennis Nets - Listen
Sept. 18:
 Libero - Listen
Sept. 10:
 Cross Country Uniforms - Listen
Sept. 3: Soccer Handling - Listen
Aug. 24: Football Holding - Listen