Question Number: 16019

Law 5 - The Referee 7/13/2007

RE: Rec Adult

Kris of Erie, Pa USA asks...

What are the proper mechanics for abandoning a game? Are there different ways to let everyone know if it is for too few of players or because you saw lightning?

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

If there is lightning, blow a few sharp blasts on the whistle to get everyone's attention, and then loudly announce, "Lightning, Clear the field!" When everyone is safe, you can seek out the coaches and explain that you will wait to see if the storm blows over with enough time to get the rest of the game played.

If it's apparent that you will not be able to continue, tell them that you'd like to stay, but by the time you wait 20-30 minutes after the last lightning is seen, it will be too late. (Dark, next game scheduled, etc.) So we can pack it up and leave and I'll note the game time and score when we had to cease playing.

If there are not enough players on one team to continue, you merely have to collect the ball and say something like, "OK, guys, that's all. Blue doesn't have enough players, the game is ended." Do whatever paperwork you must do at the field (i.e. collecting signatures) and tell them that you will report the early ending for lack of players.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Depends on why you abandon the match. You abandon a match if the field is unsafe or doesn't conform to the Laws. You may also abandon a match if there are too few players or a team either does not show up or is below the required minimum number of players. In all these instances you simply inform both coaches. You don't abandon a match for lightning or other unsafe conditions like rain or tornadoes, you terminate it. You also terminate for spectator interference or any serious breeches of the Laws. This is a subtle distinction but one that does exist. When terminating a match for lightning you blow your whistle as loudly as you can any yell to EVERYBODY to leave the field and take shelter. Hopefully your League goes by National Lightning Safety regulations which say for 30 minutes.

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

Once again...I concur with my collegaues. Make sure to inform the coaches. If there is lightning get everyones attention. The only thing that I will add is to make sure to note everything in the match report. Be very specific as to why the match was terminated. You as a referee do not decide the winner. You just report the info.