Be the Referee: Trick Plays
November 19, 2015
This week, MHSAA assistant director Mark Uyl explains which trick plays in football are allowed, and not allowed, under high school rules.
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 - Trick Plays - Listen
In some of the biggest football games of the year, often times a trick play can be the difference between winning and losing.
Many types of these trick plays are perfectly legal – the halfback pass, the hook and ladder, or the double pass with the first pass being backward behind the line of scrimmage and the second pass going forward. There are several types of trick plays, however, that are prohibited by rule.
One is the old fumblerooski play, where a team intentionally fumbles near the center and a lineman picks up the ball and advances. A second type that is illegal is whenever you’re using substitutions or pretended substitutions to free up a receiver or player standing out along the sidelines.
Past editions:
Nov. 12: 7-Person Football Mechanics - Listen
Nov. 5: Make the Call: Personal Fouls - Listen
Oct. 29: Officials Demographics - Listen
Oct. 15: Make the Call: Intentional Grounding - Listen
Oct. 8: Playoff Selection - Listen
Oct. 1: Kick Returns - Listen
Sept. 24: Concussions - Listen
Sept. 17: Automatic First Downs - Listen
Sept. 10: Correcting a Down - Listen
Sept 3: Spearing - Listen
Aug. 27: Missed Field Goal - Listen
Officials Registration Open
June 19, 2014
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
The Michigan High School Athletic Association is accepting registrations by mail and online for game officials for the 2014-15 school year and hopes to continue building on a program started in 2012 and aimed at recruiting new officials from high schools’ current graduating classes.
The MHSAA again has provided each member high school with two complimentary officials registrations to be awarded to graduating seniors designated by their athletic directors as having the skills and interest in continuing their involvement in MHSAA athletics through officiating. Over the last two years, 41 graduates took advantage of this opportunity to register free of charge.
High school seniors selected do not have to pay registration fees for the next school year and receive assistance from MHSAA staff in connecting with local officials’ associations and receiving training opportunities. Graduates who registered during the first two years of the program came from the following schools: Adrian Lenawee Christian, Brimley, Calumet, Carleton Airport, Coleman, Dearborn, Detroit International Academy, Detroit Aisha Shule-W.E.B. Du Bois Prep Academy, Detroit Southwestern, Engadine, Fenton, Grand Haven, Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett, Harrison Township L’Anse Creuse, Houghton Lake, Imlay City, Ishpeming Westwood, Jonesville, Kalamazoo Loy Norrix, Lowell, Mackinaw City, Madison Heights Lamphere, Marquette, Mayville, Michigan Center, Negaunee, New Boston Huron, New Haven Anchor Bay, Owendale-Gagetown, Owosso, Oxford, Rogers City, St. Ignace, Ubly, Waldron, Watervliet and West Branch Ogemaw Heights.
For other new and returning officials, those who register online again will receive a $5 discount off their processing fees. A $12 fee is charged for each sport in which an official wishes to register, and the online processing fee is $30. Officials submitting registration forms by mail or on a walk-up basis will incur a $35 processing fee. Officials registered in 2013-14 will be assessed a late fee of $30 for registration after July 31. The processing fee includes liability insurance coverage up to $1 million for officials while working contests involving MHSAA schools.
Online registration can be accessed by clicking “Officials” on the Home Page of the MHSAA Website. Forms also are available online that can be printed and submitted by traditional mail or hand delivery to the MHSAA Office. More information about officials registration may be obtained by contacting the MHSAA at 1661 Ramblewood Drive, East Lansing, MI, 48823, by phone at (517) 332-5046 or by e-mail at [email protected].
There is an officials' registration test for first-time officials and officials who were not registered during the past school year. The test consists of 45 questions derived from the MHSAA Officials Guidebook, which also is available on the Officials page of the MHSAA Website. Additional 50-question exams must be taken by those registering for football or basketball for the first time or those who were not registered for those sports during the previous school year. Manuals for both sports also are available on the Officials page.