Be the Referee: Soccer Changes
By
Paige Winne
MHSAA Director of Brand Management
September 22, 2026
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 – Soccer Changes - Listen
New this year in high school soccer, goalkeepers will have more time available to them before having to release the ball.
Now – once a keeper establishes possession of the ball – they will have eight seconds before having to play the ball. Previously, keepers had six seconds before having to release it.
The penalty for failing to release the ball in time is also changing.
A goalkeeper who is whistled for hanging on to the ball for longer than eight seconds will now see the opponent awarded a corner kick. The old rule awarded an indirect free kick.
So remember – starting this year – keepers get up to eight seconds before having to release the ball, and failure to do so will result in a corner kick for the opposing team.
Previous 2026-27 editions
Sept: 15: Dead Ball Penalty - Listen
Sept. 8: Libero Ejected - Listen
Sept. 1: Soccer Foul After Shot on Goal - Listen
Aug. 25: Fumble Out of Bounds - Listen
Be the Referee: Pass Interference
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
September 2, 2021
This week, MHSAA officials coordinator Sam Davis explains the differences in high school pass interference rules from those at the college and pro levels.
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 – Pass Interference – Listen
One of the big differences between high school football and the college or pro game is how pass interference is called.
In high school, there is no such thing as an “uncatchable” pass. If there is illegal contact by the defender while the ball is in the air, that’s pass interference, no matter where the pass ultimately ends up.
Also – in high school – a defender can “face guard” as long as no contact is made with the receiver. That is not pass interference, even if the defender does not look back for the ball.
Both of those interpretations differ from the college and pro game. Both (of those) levels have an uncatchable exception, and neither allows for face guarding.
Keep that in mind the next time you think you’ve spotted pass interference at the high school level.
Previous editions
Aug. 26: Protocols and Mechanics – Listen