Question Number: 25555

Law 18 - Common Sense 10/5/2011

RE: Comp Under 14

Derek of Salem, Utah USA asks...

What can a team do if a referee is clearly endangering everyone on the field when lightning is in the area. We had driven an hour to play this game in a mountain valley. Hindsight probably should have walked - did not want backlash over forfeiting?

1 minute into second half lightning way off. 10 minutes into second half lightning 18 counts away. 20 minutes into second half lightning 13 counts away (at this point ref comes over and says the lightning is still 5 ???? miles away and if it gets closer he will do something?? Lightning gets to 11 counts away and here comes the wind and rain 28 minutes in (35 minute halves).

It will be reported - nothing will happen. What should happen and what can a team do when the ref is lost?

Thanks

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Derek
USSF advises the Flash-to-Bang method as one way of making a decision in respect of lightning safety.
The method states that a count of the time in seconds that passes between a "flash" of lightning and the "bang" of thunder that follows should be taken. If count is less than 30 seconds stop activity and seek safe shelter.
To me 13 seconds is much too close and the referee here should have erred on the side of caution and suspened play. The referee should then determine when to resume activity by either the flash-to bang count greater than 30 seconds or by a pre-determined time period (usually 30 minutes) after last visible lightning.
In relation to safety if I was the coach I would much rather deal with a possible forfeit than with a very serious incident involving lightning. I would have removed my team from the field of play and informed the referee that the risks were above the threshold set down by USSF. I would expect the opposing coach to do likewise so that the forfeit does not arise.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Yes, you might be risking a forfeit to pull your team from the field and seek safety. But by staying, you were risking electrocution, burns and even death. Which is the greater risk?

Also, when a team leaves the field, it gets the league's attention. That can be good or bad. But you can no longer say, 'It will be reported - nothing will happen.' Something will happen. If both teams seek safety, that will emphasize your position to the league that the game should have been postponed or canceled.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

Both teams should have left the field and sought safety. We are talking about a game for kids. There are many things worse than losing a game. I'm glad that no one was hurt.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

The referee was an idiot and does not understand lightning may travel at least 10 and probably 15 miles.
Upon seeing lightning, it's time to seek proper shelter. the referee may not care about the safety of the players but you do. Were my child playing, he would have been yanked off the field. These are kids. Who cares if you forfeit and I would love to see the referee explain why he allowed the game to continue having seen lightning. Be thankful no one was hurt