Be the Referee: Illegal Attack
By
Paige Winne
MHSAA Director of Brand Management
November 11, 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 – Illegal Attack - Listen
A volleyball scenario for you today:
A back-row player attacks the ball from in front of the attack line and the ball is higher than the net. Is this allowed?
Sort of.
Simply being a back-row player and contacting the ball higher than the net in front of the attack line is not illegal.
Completing the attack makes it illegal.
An attack is considered complete when the ball either crosses the net completely or is legally contacted by the opponent.
The referee should wait until the attack is completed before making the call.
If this happens, the play is whistled dead for an illegal attack.
Previous 2026-27 editions
Nov. 3: Pass Interference - Listen
Oct. 27: Field Hockey Substitutions - Listen
Oct. 20: Foot Save in Volleyball - Listen
Oct. 13: Soccer Advantage - Listen
Oct. 6: Defensive Holding - Listen
Sept. 29: Minimum Number of Volleyball Players - Listen
Sept 22: Soccer Changes - Listen
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: Ski Helmets
By
Paige Winne
MHSAA Director of Brand Management
February 4, 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 – Ski Helmets - Listen
During a high school slalom competition, a skier completes their first run and discovers that their helmet chin guard has broken off. Before the second run, the skier attempts to use the same helmet, arguing that it is still functional despite the helmet’s chin guard being broken off.
Can the skier race in the helmet with no integral chin guard for their second slalom run?
No. According to MHSAA rules, helmets designed and manufactured for the particular discipline of ski racing must be used in competition. A helmet used for slalom must have an integral chin guard. A broken integral chin guard is not allowed in competition. Skiers and coaches should inspect equipment after each run to identify and address any issues, ensuring safety before returning to the course.
Previous 2024-25 Editions
Feb. 4: Wrestling In Bounds or Out? - Listen
Jan. 21: Block or Charge? - Listen
Jan. 14: Out of Bounds, In Play - Listen
Jan. 7: Wrestling Scoring - Listen
Dec. 17: Bowling Ball Rules - Listen
Dec. 10: Neck Laceration Protector - Listen
Dec. 3: Basketball Goaltending - Listen
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