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.
Spring Sports
Soccer
- 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
Winter Sports
Basketball
- 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
Gymnastics
- 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
- 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
Swimming & Diving
- 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
Wrestling
Fall Sports
Field Hockey
- 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
Soccer
- 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
Swimming & Diving
- 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
- 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