Be the Referee: You Make the Call - Soccer Offside
By
Paige Winne
MHSAA Marketing & Social Media Coordinator
October 15, 2024
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" - Soccer Offside - Listen
We’ve got a soccer “You Make the Call” today.
Team A has a player – number 9 – in offside position.
Team A’s number 1 takes a shot on goal that hits the crossbar and deflects right to number 9. The player collects the ricochet, shoots and scores.
What’s the call?
- Goal is awarded because the ball deflected to number 9?
- No goal because number 9 was in an offside position and gained an advantage for being in the offside position?
- Or – Caution number 9 for being offsides and interfering with the play?
If you said “no goal because number 9 was offsides and gained an advantage,” you are correct.
Play would restart with an indirect free kick for Team B from where the ball was played by number 9 of Team A.
Previous 2024-25 Editions
Oct. 8: Roughing the Passer - Listen
Oct. 1: Abnormal Course Condition - Listen
Sept. 25: Tennis Nets - Listen
Sept. 18: Libero - Listen
Sept. 10: Cross Country Uniforms - Listen
Sept. 3: Soccer Handling - Listen
Aug. 24: Football Holding - Listen
(Photo by Adam Sheehan.)
Be the Referee: Field Hockey Substitution
By
Paige Winne
MHSAA Marketing & Social Media Coordinator
September 30, 2025
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 – Field Hockey Substitution - Listen
We are on the pitch today for a field hockey “You Make the Call.”
During the execution of a penalty corner, the defending goalkeeper is struck on the hand and cannot continue. How is play resumed?
- Allow a properly equipped goalkeeper to substitute.
- Disallow any substitution; the injured goalkeeper must remain in the game.
- The defending team shall forfeit.
If you said to allow the substitution, you are correct. Under Rule 4-4-3, a goalkeeper substitution is permitted during a penalty corner in the event of injury or suspension. Once the new goalkeeper is ready, resume play with the continuation of the penalty corner.
Field players, however, may not substitute until the penalty corner has been completed. This ensures proper game flow while prioritizing player safety.
Previous 2025-26 editions
Sept 23: Multiple Contacts in Volleyball - Listen
Sept. 16: Soccer Penalty Kick - Listen
Sept. 9: Forward Fumble - Listen
Sept. 2: Field Hockey Basics - Listen
Aug. 26: Golf Ball Bounces Out - Listen
(Photo by Louis Murray.)