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: Missed Field Goals
November 5, 2020
This week, MHSAA officials coordinator Sam Davis presents a "You Make the Call" to test your knowledge on change of possession after a missed field goal.
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: Missed Field Goals - Listen
Let's get everyone in football game shape with the following “You Make the Call.” One team has a chance to kick a 50-yard field goal just before halftime. As the kicker approaches the ball being held at the 40-yard line, his plant leg slips and the kick comes up well short and wide as it rolls out of bounds at the 4-yard line.
Under high school rules, where will the team that forced the bad kick next snap the ball?
Believe it or not, under high school rules missed field goals that roll out of bounds before reaching the goal line are treated just like a punt. The new offense will put the ball in play 1st-and-10 from the 4-yard line.
Past editions
10/29: Automatic 1st Downs - Listen
10/22: You Make the Call: Illegal Kick - Listen
10/15: Toe the Line on Penalty Kicks - Listen
10/8: Disconcerting Acts - Listen
10/1: Ball Hits Soccer Referee - Listen
9/24: Clocking the Ball from the Shotgun - Listen