Be the Referee: Unsuspecting Hockey Hits
By
Paige Winne
MHSAA Marketing & Social Media Coordinator
December 19, 2023
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 – Unsuspecting Hockey Hits - Listen
We’re on the ice today and we’ve got two players, one from the home team, one from the away team, trying to gain control of the puck.
As they are jockeying for the puck, a second home team player comes in and checks the away team player – allowing the home team to gain possession.
Is this physical contact by the second player allowed?
If the opposing player is in an unsuspecting or vulnerable position – then no, it is not allowed and the aggressor should be penalized.
This is a point of emphasis for the 2023-24 season which aims to remove unsuspecting hits to defenseless or vulnerable players.
Previous Editions
Dec. 12: No More One-And-Ones - Listen
Nov. 21: Football Finals Replay - Listen
Nov. 14: Volleyball Unplayable Areas - Listen
Nov. 7: Pass/Kick Off Crossbar - Listen
Oct. 31: Cross Country Interference - Listen
Oct. 24: Soccer Overtime - Listen
Oct. 17: Tennis Spin - Listen
Oct. 10: Blocked Kick - Listen
Oct. 3: Volleyball Double & Lift - Listen
Sept. 26: Registration Process - Listen
Sept. 20: Animal Interference - Listen
Sept. 13: Feet Rule on Soccer Throw-In - Listen
Sept. 6: Volleyball Jewelry - Listen
Aug. 30: Football Rules Similarities - Listen
Aug. 23: Football Rules Differences - Listen
Be the Referee: Goaltending vs. Basket Interference
By
Paige Winne
MHSAA Marketing & Social Media Coordinator
December 2, 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 – Goaltending vs. Basket Interference - Listen
We’re on the basketball court today to talk about the differences between goaltending and basket interference.
Goaltending occurs when a player touches a shot that is on its downward flight and has a chance to go in.
Basket interference is when a player touches the ball when it is on the rim, or inside the cylinder above it.
An offensive player cannot be called for goaltending but can be called for basket interference.
And once a shot hits the backboard, it is automatically considered to be on a downward flight, even if it is still going up. It’s goaltending by the defense if they touch a shot with a chance to go in that has hit the backboard.
Previous 2025-26 editions
Nov. 25: Football Finals Instant Replay - Listen
Nov. 18: Volleyball Libero Uniforms - Listen
Nov. 11: Illegal Substitution/Participation - Listen
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