Did you see that? (Winter begins)

November 27, 2012

Fall has ended and winter has begun. And every Monday we'll post here some of the most headline-worthy results and major news coming from all over our state. 

Hockey, Upper Peninsula bowling, gymnastics, Upper Peninsula swimming and diving and competitive cheer all are underway, although the majority of competitions in the latter four take place after the start of the new year. Girls basketball, Lower Peninsula swimming and diving and bowling all begin this week. 

And next week sees the starts of the rest: boys basketball, boys and girls skiing and wrestling. 

We're busy populating MHSAA.com with schedules for all sports and especially basketball, and will display every score that comes in for any sport. Anyone can enter scores by simply registering on the site. Feel free to give us a hand, and keeping tuning in to Second Half for more features, rankings and the like all winter long. 

Be the Referee: Soccer Handling

By Paige Winne
MHSAA Director of Brand Management

September 5, 2024

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 – Soccer Handling - Listen

In soccer, a kicked ball that inadvertently touches a player’s arm is not a handball. If a ball is kicked at someone’s face and they instinctively put their hand in front of their face to block the ball – that is also not a handball. There was no intent.

Handball – or handling – is called when the touch with a hand or arm is deliberate.

However, if a ball glances off an offensive player’s arm and goes into the goal, the goal is not allowed. Even if the touching was accidental or inadvertent, it’s no goal. If the touching leads to an immediate goal-scoring opportunity, then it’s also whistled for handling.

As long as the inadvertent touching doesn’t lead directly to a goal, it’s play on. 

Previous 2024-25 Editions

Aug. 24: Football Holding - Listen

PHOTO Westland John Glenn and Sterling Heights Stevenson players pursue the ball during their matchup this season. (Photo by Douglas Bargerstock.)