Be the Referee: YMTC - Face Guarding
September 6, 2018
In this week's edition, MHSAA officials coordinator Sam Davis takes us through a "You Make the Call" scenario regarding football face guarding.
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 – You Make the Call: Face Guarding - Listen
Let’s check out your knowledge of high school football rules with a “you make the call.”
The quarterback drops back to pass, and his intended receiver gets a step on the cornerback. As the ball approaches the receiver, the defensive player sticks his hands and arms out in front of the receiver’s face without contact. The receiver loses sight of the ball, and the pass falls to the ground.
What’s the call?
A national high school playing rule instituted last year removed the penalty for face guarding without contact. The change brought high school football rules in line with collegiate and professional rules. The pass is incomplete and there is no flag for defensive pass interference.
Past editions
August 30: 40-Second Play Clock - Listen
August 23: Football Rules Changes - Listen
Be the Referee: Soccer Changes
By
Paige Winne
MHSAA Director of Brand Management
September 22, 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 – Soccer Changes - Listen
New this year in high school soccer, goalkeepers will have more time available to them before having to release the ball.
Now – once a keeper establishes possession of the ball – they will have eight seconds before having to play the ball. Previously, keepers had six seconds before having to release it.
The penalty for failing to release the ball in time is also changing.
A goalkeeper who is whistled for hanging on to the ball for longer than eight seconds will now see the opponent awarded a corner kick. The old rule awarded an indirect free kick.
So remember – starting this year – keepers get up to eight seconds before having to release the ball, and failure to do so will result in a corner kick for the opposing team.
Previous 2026-27 editions
Sept: 15: Dead Ball Penalty - Listen
Sept. 8: Libero Ejected - Listen
Sept. 1: Soccer Foul After Shot on Goal - Listen
Aug. 25: Fumble Out of Bounds - Listen