Be the Referee: Soccer Handling
By
Paige Winne
MHSAA Marketing & Social Media Coordinator
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.)
Performance of the Week: Grayling's Jordan Peters
September 12, 2024
Jordan Peters ♦ Grayling
Junior ♦ Soccer
Peters is anchoring a record-setting defensive effort as Grayling is off to an 8-0 start for the first time and has put together a streak of eight straight shutouts also for the first time in program history. The most recent win, 1-0 over Elk Rapids on Monday, was the Vikings’ first over the Elks since 2009. Grayling is unranked, but Elk Rapids entered this week No. 14 in Division 3.
A varsity keeper since freshman year, Peters has played a major role as Grayling has improved from 9-12-1 in 2022 to 17-6-1 last season to building high expectations with its start this fall. Peters has been in net for the entirety of every game this year, and the eight straight shutouts are tied for the 14th-longest individual scoreless game streak by a keeper in state history. Peters also wrestles and made his Division 3 Individual District Semifinals at 157 pounds last season, and he ran primarily hurdles and on the 400 relay for the track & field team last spring.
@mhsaasports ⚽️POW: Jordan Peters #soccer #grayling #shutout #winner #part1 #highschoolsports #tiktalk #interview #performanceoftheweek #mistudentaid #fyp #MHSAA ♬ original sound - MHSAA
@mhsaasports ⚽️POW: Jordan Peters #tiktalk #questiontime #part2 #alfredo #icecream #thumbsupemoji #LedZepplin #performanceoftheweek #mistudentaid #fyp #MHSAA ♬ Monkeys Spinning Monkeys - Kevin MacLeod & Kevin The Monkey
Follow the MHSAA on TikTok.
MHSAA.com's "Performance of the Week" features are powered by MI Student Aid, a division within the Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP). MI Student Aid encourages students to pursue postsecondary education by providing access to student financial resources and information. MI Student Aid administers the state’s 529 college savings programs (MET/MESP), as well as scholarship and grant programs that help make college Accessible, Affordable and Attainable for you. Connect with MI Student Aid at www.michigan.gov/mistudentaid and find more information on Facebook and Twitter @mistudentaid.
Previous 2024-25 honorees
Sept. 6: Gabe Litzner, Sault Ste. Marie cross country - Report
Aug. 30: Grace Slocum, Traverse City St. Francis golf - Report
PHOTO Grayling keeper Jordan Peters, far right, readies to make a stop against Elk Rapids. (Photo courtesy of the Grayling athletic department.)