NFHS Rule Interpretations
As the MHSAA receives NFHS Rule Interpretations, selected Situations and Rulings, Rules Reminders, and Points of Emphasis, they will be posted here to provide clear guidance for coaches and officials.
Fall Sports
Cross Country
Field Hockey
Soccer
Swimming & Diving
Volleyball
Winter Sports
Basketball
- Preseason Interpretations
Gymnastics
- Preseason Interpretations
Ice Hockey
- Preseason Interpretations
Swimming & Diving
Wrestling
- Preseason Interpretations
Spring Sports
Baseball
- Preseason Interpretations
Softball
- Preseason Interpretations
Boys Lacrosse
- Preseason Interpretations
Girls Lacrosse
- Preseason Interpretations
Soccer
Track & Field
Boys Volleyball
- Preseason Interpretations
NFHS Rule Interpretations - Archived
Baseball
Basketball
2025-26
- Jan. 28: Act of Shooting
- Jan. 21: Contact on Ball Handler and Late Game Situations
- Jan. 14: Goaltending
- Jan. 7: Bench decorum
- Dec. 17: Faking being fouled
- Dec. 10: Continuous Motion
- Dec. 3: Thrower Returning Inbounds
- Nov. 26: Throw-In Spot Determination
- Nov. 19: Definition of a Player
- Nov. 12: Basket Interference
- Preseason Interpretations
Field Hockey
2025-26
- Oct. 29: Field Inspection / Team Line Placement
- Oct. 22: Team Uniforms/Socks
- Oct. 15: Obstruction
- Oct. 8: Intentional Delay of Game During Penalty Corner
- Oct. 1: Penalty Stroke at the End of the Game
- Sept. 24: Uniforms
- Sept. 17: Substitutions during a penalty corner
- Sept. 12: Goalkeeper uniform and equipment
- Sept. 3: Wire-caged face masks during and after a penalty corner
- Preseason Interpretations
Gymnastics
2025-26
- Jan. 28: Floor exercise: Awarding Value Part Credit for Twists & Turns
- Jan. 21: Balance Beam: Directly Connected Elements
- Jan. 14: Uneven Bars: Extra Swings
- Jan. 7: Vault - Balk
- Preseason Interpretations
Ice Hockey
2025-26
- Jan. 28: Penalty shots
- Jan. 21: Body checking
- Jan. 14: Direct and indirect contact
- Jan. 7: Vulnerable or defenseless players, face off locations
- Dec. 17: Penalty shot and video replay
- Dec. 10: Possession vs. Control of the puck
- Dec. 3: Neck Laceration Protector
- Nov. 26: Goal Cage dislodged
- Nov. 19: Use of Electronic Devices
- Nov. 12: New Rules: Rule 9-8-4
- Preseason Interpretations
Boys Lacrosse
2025-26
- April 29: Technical Fouls – Holding
- April 22: Simultaneous Fouls
- April 15: Interrupted Game Procedures
- April 8: Unsportsmanslike Conduct
- April 1: Personal Foul – Contact with the Head/Neck
- March 25: Goalkeeper Rules/Goalkeeper Equipment
- March 18: Field Setup and Equipment
- March 11: Player Equipment
- Preseason Interpretations
Soccer
2025-26
- April 29: Time-Wasting, Tie-Breaking Procedures, Tactical Fouls
- April 22: Offside/Deliberate Play, Substitution, Violent Conduct
- April 15: Shinguards and Shoes
- April 8: Indirect Free Kick Within Penalty Area
- April 1: SPA and DOGSO
- March 25: Injury Substitutions
- March 18: Team Areas and Bench Decorum
- March 11: Uniform tops, shorts & shin guards
- Oct. 29: Time-Wasting, Tie-Breaking Procedures, Tactical Fouls
- Oct. 22: IFK in Penalty Area
- Oct. 15: Illegally/improperly equipped
- Oct. 8: Deliberate play, substitution, violent conduct
- Oct. 1: SPA, DOGSO
- Sept. 24: Beckon after injury
- Sept. 17: PK infraction, celebrations
- Sept. 12: Bench decorum
- Sept. 3: Uniform tops, shorts & shin guards
- Preseason Interpretations
Softball
2025-26
- April 22: NOCSAE-certified equipment, projected substitutes
- April 15: Re-entry vs. unreported sub, penalties for electronic communications violations
- April 8: Awarding bases after obstruction
- April 1: Obstruction, conferences, DP/Flex
- March 25: Initial play, drying agents, ball contacts equipment
- March 18: Batter-Runner Hit by Thrown Ball, DP/Flex Lineup, Initial Play on Batted Ball
- March 11: Recording Devices, Pitching Substitutions
- Preseason Interpretations
Swimming & Diving
2025-26
- April 22: Relay entry limits, diving safety
- April 15: Entry protocols, relay order of swimmers
- April 8: Excessive celebration, individual entry limits, meet formats
- April 1: Stroke violation, scoring diving, freestyle starts
- March 25: Ledge installation, RJPs
- March 18: Diving announcer errors, Late Arrival to the Blocks
- March 11: On-deck Starts, Backstroke Ledge allowances
- Jan. 28: Relay entries, diving referee responsibilities
- Jan. 21: Relay entries
- Jan. 14: Sportsmanship, on-deck starts
- Jan. 7: Sportsmanship, diving violations, re-swims
- Dec. 17: Diving judges, RJPs, DQs
- Dec. 10: Backstroke ledge
- Dec. 3: Stroke DQs, Swimsuits, Correctable Errors
- Nov. 26: Backstroke ledge adoption & usage
- Nov. 19: Stroke form, standing takeoffs, relay entries
- Nov. 12: Diving DFS, Meet Committees
- Oct. 29: Backstroke ledge management
- Oct. 22: Meet committee responsibilities, entry limits
- Oct. 15: Disability accommodations, timing devices, backstroke flags
- Oct. 8: Diving faults, judging
- Oct. 1: Start Interruptions
- Sept. 24: Relay Starts & Relay Entries
- Sept. 17: Stroke infractions, RJPs
- Sept. 10: Backstroke starting positions, IM turns
- Sept. 3: Backstroke ledges
- Preseason Interpretations
Volleyball
2025-26
- Oct. 29: Screening
- Oct. 22: Libero rules
- Oct. 15: Overhead obstructions
- Oct. 8: Center line and net faults
- Oct. 1: Rosters & Lineups
- Sept. 24: Uniforms
- Sept. 17: Equipment, jewelry
- Sept. 10: Illegal libero replacement, unnecessary delay mechanics
- Sept. 3: Ball handling, multiple contacts
- Preseason Interpretations
Boys Volleyball
2025-26
- April 29: Screening
- April 22: Net Play
- April 15: Libero Rules
- April 8: Overhead Obstructions
- April 1: Illegal Libero Replacement / Officials Mechanics – Unnecessary Delay
- March 25: Contacting the Ball/Player Actions/Net Play
- March 18: Alignment/Overlapping
- March 11: Uniforms
- Preseason Interpretations
Wrestling
2025-26