Be the Referee: Free Throw Change

January 12, 2017

This week, MHSAA assistant director Mark Uyl discusses one of the most significant rules changes of this winter season, regarding basketball free throws.

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 – Free Throw Change - Listen

One of the big changes in basketball this year deals with the free throw and movement along the lane.

Players who are in the lane in marked spaces can enter the lane as soon as the free throw is released by the shooter. The big change for this year is that no player – defensive or offensive – can enter the semicircle where the shooter has shot the ball from until the ball either hits the rim or the free throw ends.

In recent years, we’ve seen players move into the semi-circle, making early contact with the shooter before the ball has hit the rim.

Past editions
Jan. 5: Ratings - Listen
Dec. 22: Video Review - Part 2 - Listen
Dec. 15: Video Review - Part 1 - Listen
Dec. 8: Registration - Part 2 - Listen
Dec. 1: Registration - Part 1 - Listen
Nov. 24: You Make the Call - Sleeper Play - Listen
Nov. 17: Automatic 1st Downs - Listen
Nov. 10: Uncatchable Pass - Listen
Nov. 3: The Goal Line - Listen
Oct. 27: Help Us Retain Officials - Listen
Oct. 20: Point After Touchdown - Listen
Oct. 13: Untimed Down - Listen
Oct. 6: Soccer Penalty Kick Change - Listen
Sept. 29: Preparation for Officials - Listen
Sept 22: You Make the Call: Returning Kickoffs - Listen
Sept. 15: Concussions - Listen
Sept 8: Equipment Covering the Knees - Listen
Sept. 1: Play Clock Experiment - Listen
Aug. 25: Clipping in the Free Blocking Zone - Listen

Be the Referee: Hockey Rules Chart

February 6, 2020

This week, MHSAA assistant director Brent Rice addresses some of the rules differences between high school and college hockey.

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 - Hockey Rules Chart - Listen

Today we’d like to take a look at some of the differences between high school and college hockey.

• During pregame, the high school coach must meet with officials to verify that all players are properly equipped. There is no such rule in college hockey.

• Hand passes are permitted in the defensive zone in high school hockey, but not in college hockey.

• Goalies may play the puck with a high stick in college hockey, but not in high school hockey.

• A puck directed into the goal with a skate may be allowed in college hockey, but not in high school hockey.

Knowing the rules differences can help you better enjoy watching this sport. You can find the complete chart of rules differences on the Ice Hockey page of the MHSAA Website.

Past editions

Jan. 30: Cheer Safety - Listen
Jan. 23: Goaltending - Listen
Jan. 16: Wrestling Tie-Breaker - Listen
Jan. 9: Pregame Meeting - Listen
Dec. 19: Alternating Possession - Listen
Dec. 12: Ratings - Listen
Dec. 5: Video Review Success - Listen
Nov. 28: 
More Injury Time - Listen
Nov. 21: Football Review - Listen
Nov. 14: Sideline Safety - Listen
Nov. 7: Officials Playlist - Listen
Oct. 31: Most Important Line - Listen
Oct. 24: Automatic 1st Downs - Listen
Oct. 17: Catch Momentum - Listen
Oct. 10: Golf Rules Changes - Listen
Oct. 3: No Tackle Box - Listen
Sept. 26: You Make the Overtime Call - Listen
Sept. 19: Swimming Finishing Touch - Listen
Sept. 12: Curbing Gamesmanship By Substitution - Listen
Sept. 5: Football Safety Rules Changes - Listen
Aug. 29: 40-Second Play Clock - Listen