Be the Referee: Basketball Goaltending
By
Paige Winne
MHSAA Marketing & Social Media Coordinator
December 3, 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 – Basketball Goaltending - Listen
In basketball, what’s the difference between goaltending and defensive basket interference?
Goaltending is when a defensive player touches the ball when it is on its way down toward the basket, or after the ball has hit the backboard and is in a downward trajectory towards the hoop.
Defensive basket interference is when a defender touches the rim or net while the ball is within or on the cylinder. However, if the defender touches only the net and does not affect the shot in any way, then basket interference is not called.
In both instances – goaltending and basket interference – the outcome is treated like a made basket: two points to the offense unless the shot came from behind the 3-point arc, and then it’s worth three points.
Previous 2024-25 Editions
Nov. 26: 11-Player Finals Replay - Listen
Nov. 19: 8-Player vs. 11-Player Football - Listen
Nov. 12: Back Row Setter - Listen
Nov. 5: Football OT - Listen
Oct. 29: Officials Registration - Listen
Oct. 22: Volleyball Serve - Listen
Oct. 15: "You Make the Call" - Soccer Offside - Listen
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
Be the Referee: Illegal Substitution/Participation
By
Paige Winne
MHSAA Marketing & Social Media Coordinator
November 11, 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 – Illegal Substitution/Participation - Listen
We’re on the football field this week with 23 players.
Twenty-three is one too many; there should only be 22 on the field at once – 11 on offense, 11 on defense.
But on this play, the offense had a 12th player lined up on the field.
What’s the call?
It depends on when the penalty is spotted.
If the officials catch it before the play is run, that’s an illegal substitution and a 5-yard penalty.
But if the ball is snapped and a play is run with 12 on the field – and the 12th player is not attempting to get off the field – then it’s illegal participation and a 15-yard penalty. It’s also a 15-yard penalty if the offense uses a substitution to create a deception.
Previous 2025-26 editions
Nov. 4: Losing a Shoe - Listen
Oct. 28: Unusual Soccer Goals - Listen
Oct. 21: Field Hockey Penalty Stroke - Listen
Oct. 14: Tennis Double Hit - Listen
Oct. 7: Safety in Football - Listen
Sept. 30: Field Hockey Substitution - Listen
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