Be the Referee: Hurdling
November 9, 2017
In this week's edition, assistant director Mark Uyl explains when hurdling a defender is and isn't allowed in football.
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 – Hurdling - Listen
While we don’t see it very often, one of most unique football rules at the high school level deals with the prohibition about a runner hurdling over a defender.
Whenever a ball carrier is moving down the field and a defender is coming over to make that tackle, the only time that ball carrier can hurdle the defender – and by hurdle we mean trying to go over the top of the defender, leading with their foot first – the only time they can hurdle that defender is when the defender is contacting the ground with more than just their feet and hands.
So if that defender is lying on the ground, a hurdle is a legal move. However, if that defender is still on their feet, hurdling would result in a foul.
Past editions
November 2: The Survey Says - Listen
October 26: Helmet Comes Off - Listen
October 19: Goal Line Rules - Listen
October 12: No 1st-Year Fee - Listen
October 5: Athletic Empty Nesters - Listen
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: Hockey Delayed Offside
By
Brent Rice
MHSAA Assistant Director
February 16, 2022
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 Delayed Offside - Listen
Bundle up because we are on the ice today with a delayed offside situation in hockey.
During the delayed offsides, the puck is shot directly on goal. Should the official:
► Whistle the play dead and restart with a faceoff from the offending team zone?
► Whistle the play dead and restart with a faceoff from the closest dot from where the shot was taken?
► Whistle the play dead and restart with a faceoff from the neutral zone?
► Or – let the play continue.
If you said let the play continue, you are correct. In this situation, the play should be allowed to continue until all offensive players clear the offensive zone.
The next time there’s a delayed offsides call with a shot on goal, you’ll know what to do.
Previous editions
Feb. 10: Basketball Timeout - Listen
Feb. 3: Basketball Video Review - Listen
Jan. 27: Wrestling Inspections - Listen
Dec. 16: Ball Over Backboard - Listen
Dec. 9: Winter Officials Mechanics - Listen
Nov. 26: Instant Replay - Listen
Nov. 11: Tourney Selection - Listen
Nov. 4: Receiver Carried Out of End Zone – Listen
Oct. 28: Volleyball Back-Row Block – Listen
Oct. 21: Soccer Disallowed Goal – Listen
Sept 30: Field Goal Falls Short – Listen
Sept. 23: Volleyball Obstruction – Listen
Sept. 16: Catch or No Catch – Listen
Sept. 9: Intentional Grounding – Listen
Sept. 2: Pass Interference – Listen
Aug. 26: Protocols and Mechanics – Listen