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
What's My Why: Official Ron Torbert
August 26, 2026
Ron Torbert, Hanover, Md.
Ron Torbert is a current NFL referee who worked Super Bowls LVI (2022) and LIX (2025). He has been on the NFL staff since 2010, starting as a side judge before being promoted to referee in 2014.
Prior to his time in the NFL, Ron worked in the Big Ten, MAC and GLIAC, and was an MHSAA-registered football official from 1989-2001. He is a graduate of Michigan State University and Harvard Law School and also the current chair of the National Association of Sports Officials (NASO) Board.
Nobody else in the stadium feels what we feel, and there’s something kinda special about being part of that small-knit community.
That’s what kept me coming back and coming back. I don’t play golf, but somebody said it’s like hitting that one golf shot – you’re not a very good golfer but you hit that one shot that brings you back for the next round. Being out on the field brings me back for the next game,
Once I figured out what it took to get good at it, now I want more, and that’s what keeps me coming back. It’s always a challenge of being better next week than I was last week.
“What’s My Why” is a weekly feature telling the stories of MHSAA-registered officials in their own words. If you’re an MHSAA official and would like to share your reason why, please submit a 15 to 45-second video, taken horizontally, to director of officials Sam Davis at [email protected].
What's My Why
Aug. 19: Kari Seitz, Mill Valley, Calif. - Watch
Aug. 13: Mike Pereira, Sacramento, Calif. - Watch
Aug. 5: Dino Paganelli, Wyoming - Watch
Aug. 3: Stacy Smith, Caledonia - Watch
July 22: Jason Nickleby, Lake Elmo, Minn. - Watch
July 15: Sam Davis, Lansing - Watch
July 9: Candace Cox, Quincy - Watch
July 1: Robert Williams, Redford - Watch
June 24: Will Godfrey, Jackson - Watch
June 19: Jarrett Skorup, Midland - Watch
June 12: Brady Driver, Sturgis - Watch
June 8: Cindy Tyzo, West Bloomfield - Watch
June 3: Jeff Spedoske, DeWitt - Watch
June 1: Mike Carrier, Commerce Township - Watch
May 27: Stan Wright, Warren - Watch
May 26: Murray Rose, Zeeland - Watch
May 22: Mike VanLaan, Alto - Watch
May 18: Clint Abbott, Newaygo - Watch