The monthly “NISOA Referee Nuts and Bolts” column is written primarily for the college and high school Referee. However, any soccer Referee who wishes to improve personal performance may also find that this series is helpful.

All articles address those BASIC techniques, procedures, practice alternatives, and skills that are sometimes forgotten or overlooked while going through the experiences of soccer refereeing. The short discussions and accompanying practical tips stress important advice for competent performance.

This April 2012 “Referee Nuts and Bolts” column is written by Bob Sumpter, NISOA, and includes two discussions entitled:

(1)  Lightning and Your Intercollegiate Game, and

(2)  Lightning and Your Interscholastic Game.

– – – – –

“Lightning and Your Intercollegiate Game”

Lightning can, and does, strike every so often at outdoor soccer games. Since we all are aware of the danger it presents to game participants, you need to give some thought to the procedures for suspending and restarting games where lightning is a danger.

IT IS IMPORTANT for NISOA members to note that there are slight differences to the procedures outlined in NCAA and NFHS lightning guidelines. This short “Referee Nuts and Bolts” discussion deals with the NCAA guidelines for intercollegiate games.

The NCAA publishes “Lightning Guidelines” (outlining decisions about suspending and restarting games) as an appendix in the “NCAA Men’s and Women’s Soccer Rules”, for game officials and game management. There are also game restart rules in the rule book.

The NCAA SUSPENSION PROCEDURE is based on “flash-to-bang time” of 30 seconds or less.

The NCAA RESTART PROCEDURE specifies a minimum of 30 minutes after the last lightning flash or thunder clap.

Relevant to the NCAA SUSPENSION AND RESTART PROCEDURES is the stipulation in NCAA Rule 10.11, LIGHTNING SAFETY POLICY, EXPIRATION OF TIME: “The purpose of the lightning policy is to provide information to those responsible for making decisions about suspending and restarting games based on the presence of lightning. With reference to game interruptions and the length of waiting time beyond which the game cannot be started and/or restarted: No contest can be started or resumed that has not been restarted before an additional 90 minutes after the conclusion of a regulation 90-minute game, unless mutually agreed upon before the game or by conference policy. For example, a game begun at 2 p.m., if interrupted, shall be suspended for that day if it cannot be resumed before 5 p.m., unless mutually agreed upon before the game or by conference policy”.

What is most important is for each NISOA Referee to develop and follow a procedure to anticipate possible game problems if a lightning storm is either likely or occurs. That means pre-planning and information gathering, and being prepared to follow the NCAA guidelines for suspending and restarting games in the event of lightning.

Suggestions to the NISOA Intercollegiate Referee for the kind of pre-planning procedures that might help:

(a) If you live in an area where seasonal storms are common, check on weather forecasts for your area regularly during the intercollegiate season.

(b) Check with the host college before the game to see if it has its own policy and procedure to follow.

(c) Ask the host college before the game if contract between schools for that game may contain stipulations for game suspension and restart;

(d) If you do have to suspend play for lightning danger, ask if visiting college may have restrictions on how late they can play due to return travel, and to make sure that NCAA restart stipulation is also followed.

(e) Instruct the Referee Team in the pre-game briefing to help spot a first lightning flash and/or hear a first thunderclap, and to begin a backup count to verify 30 seconds.

TIPS:

(1) Once the game is started, the responsibility for deciding to suspend is up to you, as Referee.

(2) Be sure to develop your own pre-planning procedures to follow if a possible lightning or thunderstorm is forecast!

(3) Learn the “flash-to-bang-time” procedure!

“Lightning and Your Interscholastic Game”

Lightning can, and does, strike every so often at outdoor soccer games. Since we all are aware of the danger it presents to game participants, you need to give some thought to the procedures for suspending and restarting games where lightning is a danger.

IT IS IMPORTANT for NISOA members to note that there are slight differences to the procedures outlined in NCAA and NFHS lightning guidelines. This short “Referee Nuts and Bolts” discussion deals with the NFHS guidelines for high school games.

The NFHS publishes “Guidelines on Handling Contests during Lightning Disturbances” (outlining decisions for suspending and restarting contests) as an appendix to “NFHS Soccer Rules Book” as a DEFAULT POLICY to State Association and member high schools. More detailed information is available in “Guidelines for Lightning Safety” in “NFHS Sports Medicine Handbook”.

The NFHS SUSPENSION PROCEDURE is based on hearing thunder or seeing a “cloud-to-ground” bolt.

The NHFS RESTART PROCEDURE specifies that it be no less than 30 minutes AFTER the last thunder is heard or the last flash of lightning is witnessed. ANY subsequent thunder heard or lightning seen (after the supposed “last” thunder or lightning) begins another 30 minute wait for a game restart.

What is most important is for each NISOA Referee to develop and follow a procedure to anticipate possible game problems if a lightning storm is either likely or occurs. That means pre-planning and information gathering, and being prepared to follow the NFHS, or appropriate state association or host school, guidelines for suspending and restarting games in the event of lightning.

Suggestions to the NISOA Interscholastic Referee for the kind of pre-planning procedures that might help:

(a) If you live in an area where seasonal storms are common, check on the weather forecasts for your area regularly during the interscholastic season.

(b) Pre-season, check to see if the State High School Association has a lightning policy for athletic contests.

(c) Check with the host iinterscholastic school before the game to see if it (or the stadium in which the game is played) has its own policy and procedure to follow.

(d) Pre-game, ask if the visiting school has restrictions on how late they can play due to return travel.

(e) Instruct the Referee Team during the pre-game briefing to signal to you at the first flash or thunder-clap occurrence during the game as a backup so you can immediately suspend play.

TIPS:

(1) Once the game is started, the responsibility for deciding to suspend is up to you, as Referee.

(2) Be sure to develop your own pre-planning procedures to follow if a possible lightning or thunderstorm is forecast! The suggested additional information will help you to make the best decision.