By Mark Uyl, Asst. Director, MHSAA

The Goal Line 

There’s an old saying in football officiating that the most important line on the field is the goal line. This is certainly true when it comes to touchdowns as the high school rule is just like that at the college and pro level, where all the ball has to do is break the plane for a score. One unique part of the goal line under high school rules deals with kicks. Whenever a kickoff or a punt breaks the plane of the goal line, it becomes a dead ball with an automatic touchback. Now whenever the defense gets possession of the ball in the end zone, it can return a fumble or interception out of the end zone for advancement—except if it’s on an extra point or anytime in overtime.

Be the Referee is a weekly message from the Michigan High School Athletics Association that is designed to help educate people on the rules in different sports, to help them better understand the art of officiating, and to recruit officials.