Question Number: 16498

League Specific 8/30/2007

RE: competitive High School

Steaven Brenwald of Belle, WV U.S.A. asks...

This question is a follow up to question 16392

I just want to know how far into the game you need to be in order to call it an official game if you stop it due to lightning.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

It depends entirely upon the rules of the association/league sponsoring the game. This is presuming you not only stopped the game, but that you didn't resume the game - in other words the game was abandoned. Under high school, each state has different criterial they use. Under USSF, the same is true. Generally speaking (and you really must check with your own association) if half of the game has been played, most leagues will consider the game complete - but remember that is only a general guideline.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

The NFHS rules state this in rule 7, section 1, article 3:

In the event a game must be suspended because of conditions which make it impossible to continue play, the head referee shall declare it an official game if one complete half or more of the game has been played. If less that one-half of the game has been played, the game may be be rescheduled from the start, or restarted from the suspension of play according to state association adoption.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

This is covered by the state association. If one complete half was played - then it can be considered complete.