Question Number: 29259

Mechanics 3/22/2015

RE: Rec Under 17

Bart Fay of Rather Not Say, CA US asks...

Would you please consider putting up an info post about the danger of lighting.

I got to drive across town to pull my son off the field during a club practice while thunder cracked directly overhead. Lightning had been going off for 20 mins at my home, just 4 miles from the field. There were six teams, so about 100 kids practicing. The senior club coach pulled the kids, five minutes later, when they were threatened with getting wet.
I have been stewing about it for a few days.
Here are a few bits one might consider:
-One estimate states that 24,000 people are killed by lightning strikes around the world each year and about 240,000 are injured. I read that 20% of strikes are deadly and 70% do permanent damage.
-Lightning can jump 10 miles from where the clouds are to where you are playing !
-Kids, Coaches, & Refs should know when to vacate the pitch and not wait for adults or superiors to make the decision for them.
-Every year around 75 shark attacks are reported worldwide. Much much fewer than lightning strikes. THATS BECAUSE PEOPLE GET OUT OF THE WATER WHEN SHARKS ARE PRESENT...
...Not stopping a game or a practice to avoid scheduling inconvenience is like letting your kids swim with sharks because you made the effort to drive to the beach. -Statistically, there is a very low chance of being struck by lightning. Think of all the kids you have reffed or coached and then choose the few lucky ones.

I could go on and am personally guilty for not calling a game when I saw lightning strike just a couple miles away.
Lets all be smarter about this.

AskTheRef is great.
Keep up the good work.

-Bart Fay

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Bart
Referees know only too well the dangers of lightning and there are strict guidelines for managing adverse weather situations.
https://www.massref.net/ussfpositionpapers/doc_6_268.pdf
http://www.usyouthsoccer.org/news/lightning_safety_outdoors/

You do not mention if there were referees present at the training. Typically training sessions do not have referees officiating and it is managed solely by club officials. Club officials should be aware of the dangers here from guidelines provided by leagues.
So your points are well made and the site is happy to highlight this serious issue. Everyone should err on the side of caution when safety is concerned.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Bart,
SAFETY #1 referee responsibility yet we too often defer to others at the go to moment since we dislike being the overly anal guy ruining the afternoon festivities.

It takes courage to say no when those around you are wanting to say yes, lets finish this, or chances are ... Nothing ... will happen Sigh

Now at club practises it behooves those in charge to take that responsibility seriously, given it is not a match situation. The LEAGUE or association MUST have POSTED guidelines that are MANDITORY to be followed in such cases. Failure to comply cannot be allowed to slide by just because NOTHING happened, as the time when it DOES HAPPEN, the pain and guilt will be unbearable!

In my own area here in Alberta I know of at least two strikes rendering the kids /adults crippled and impaired for life!

Heavy burden on those responsible for NOT calling the matches off! Life altering on those that suffer!

Cheers