Be the Referee: Pop-Up Onside Kicks

August 31, 2017

This week, "Be the Referee" with MHSAA assistant director Mark Uyl explains an onside kicking technique no longer allowed as the second of a three-part series on football rules changes for 2017.

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 – Pop-Up Onside Kicks - Listen


One of the most exciting plays is the onside kick, which has turned the tide around in many games.

In the interest of safety, national high school rules this year have eliminated the onside kick where the ball is kicked with great force off the tee into the ground, generating a pop-up ball, which creates a dangerous recovery situation.

This kind of pop-up kick will immediately be blown dead by the officials, and a five-yard penalty will be assessed to the kicking team.

Onside kicks which are dribbled along the ground, hitting at least twice, are still legal by rule; and the kicker can still pooch kick the ball straight up into the air off the tee.

But the pop-up kick which hits the ground first, and bounces only once is no longer a playable ball.

Past editions
August 24: Blindside Blocks - Listen

Be the Referee: YMTC - 10-Second Clock

January 17, 2019

This week, MHSAA assistant director Brent Rice offers a "You Make the Call" scenario dealing with the 10-second clock in basketball.

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 – You Make the Call: 10-Second Clock - Listen

Let’s test your knowledge of high school basketball rules with this “you make the call.”

The Blue team is in control of the ball in the backcourt and the Red team is applying a full-court press. Eight seconds into the possession, the Blue team calls a timeout. You make the call.

When play resumes, how much time does the Blue team have to get the ball into the frontcourt?

Whenever play stops in the backcourt in high school basketball – for a timeout, a ball knocked out of bounds, a held ball, a foul or defensive violation; and a new-throw in is awarded – the 10-second clock is reset. This is different is several ways from the college rule. The Blue team resumes play with a fresh 10-second count to advance the ball into the frontcourt.

Past editions

January 10: Tripping in Hockey - Listen
January 3: Sliding in Basketball - Listen
December 27: Stalling in Wrestling - Listen
December 20: Basketball: You Make the Call - Listen
December 13: Basketball Uniform Safety - Listen
December 6: Coaching Box Expansion - Listen
November 29: Video Review, Part 2 - Listen
November 22: Video Review, Part 1 - Listen
November 15: You Make the Call - Sleeper Play - Listen
November 8: 7-Person Football Crews - Listen
November 1: Overtime Differences - Listen
October 25: Trickery & Communication - Listen
October 18: Punts & Missed Field Goals - Listen
October 11: What Officials Don't Do - Listen
October 4: Always 1st-and-Goal - Listen
September 27: Unique Kickoff Option - Listen
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