Coming up on 2H (11/16-11/18)

November 16, 2012

It's another Finals weekend, with MHSAA championships to be decided in three sports over the next two days. And Second Half will have coverage of every game, match and meet. 

Tune in late Friday for coverage and photos from the 8-player Football Final pitting Bellaire and Deckerville at Greenville High School. 

On Saturday, we'll have coverage of all four Volleyball Finals at Battle Creek's Kellogg Arena, plus coverage from each of three Lower Peninsula Swimming and Diving Finals thanks to our crew of knowledgeable correspondents. 

MHSAA 11-player football Semifinals are all Saturday, so keep an eye out later today for a brief preview of each of those games, plus the story of Saginaw Swan Valley sophomore running back Alex Grace. He's run for more than 2,000 yards in helping the Vikings get back to the Semis in Division 4. 

Be the Referee: Backwards Skiing

By Paige Winne
MHSAA Marketing & Social Media Coordinator

February 17, 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 – Backwards Skiing - Listen

We’re on the hill today, ready to race the Giant Slalom. I’m heading toward the finish and clear the final gate, but as I complete that last turn I lose control. My skis skid out, I spin around, and suddenly I’m sliding toward the finish line backwards. I stay on my feet and cross the line facing uphill instead of down. Is that legal?

Yes, it is.

Ski rules do not require a racer to cross the finish line facing forward. The key is that the skier completes the course correctly and that both feet cross the finish line. It can be on two skis, one ski, or even without skis. Forward or backward does not matter.

If there is a question, the referee and timekeeper make the final decision.

Previous 2025-26 editions

Feb. 10: Faking Being Fouled - Listen
Feb. 3: Bowling Pins - Listen
Jan. 27: Ski Gates - Listen
Jan. 20: Cheer Judges - Listen
Jan. 13: Basketball Over the Back - Listen
Jan. 6: Bowling Ball Bounces Out of Gutter - Listen
Dec. 9: Puck on Goal Netting - Listen
Dec. 2: Goaltending vs. Basket Interference - Listen
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