Be the Referee: Help Us Retain Officials
October 27, 2016
This week, MHSAA assistant director Mark Uyl explains how we as fans, coaches and athletes can help keep officials in our games.
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 – Help Us Retain Officials - Listen
One of the biggest challenges each and every year is the recruitment, and more importantly, retaining our sports officials – that’s the referees, umpires and judges that allow our games to be played.
In numerous surveys, the two biggest areas that are driving officials out of the game are a lack of sportsmanship from adult spectators as well as coaches.
The next time you’re at a game, either as a fan or if you happen to be a high school coach, try and put yourselves in the shoes of the official.
While the officials will never be perfect, they do deserve at least your support as well as the benefit of the doubt on those tough plays.
Past editions
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 - Unique Kickoff Option
September 27, 2018
This week, MHSAA officials coordinator Sam Davis explains a little-known option unique to high school football regarding kickoffs.
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 – Unique Kickoff Option - Listen
Here’s a football rule you may not know about or have ever seen applied.
After a touchdown or a field goal, the opponent of the scoring team may designate which team kicks off. That’s right! The team just allowing the points can decide who will kick off.
Now why would a team want to do that? Strategically, a team may elect to pin the other team deep in its own end with its own kicker late in a close game rather than risk successfully receiving an onside kick.
Though it is not often used by teams, it is a very clever way to manage the game. I’m sure the national rules makers had other reasons, but now you know about a unique rule that’s unique to high school football.
Past editions
September 20: Uncatchable Pass - Listen
September 13: Soccer Rules Change - Listen
September 6: You Make the Call: Face Guarding - Listen
August 30: 40-Second Play Clock - Listen
August 23: Football Rules Changes - Listen