Game Suspension Requirements

If any of the circumstances outlined below occurs the referee should immediately suspend the game.

1. If thunder is heard, the game should be suspended and the fields are cleared. Everyone should immediately go to a safe shelter.

2. If lighting is seen, the game should be suspended and the fields cleared. Everyone should immediately go to a safe shelter.

3. If a thunderstorm is heard or seen coming or your hair stands on end, the game should be suspended and the fields cleared. Everyone should immediately go to a safe shelter. Do not wait until it rains.

If the game official does not immediately suspend the game when any one of the points above have occurred, the head coach from each team can agree that one of the three criteria listed above have occurred they are to withdraw their teams from the field. If this action is taken, then both coaches must submit a written report to their league outlining the circumstances, the facts concerning the weather conditions at that time, the fact that the two coaches were in a agreement and the name of the officials at the game.

If an official and one of the coaches do not reach the conclusion to suspend the game and any one of the three points listed above are believed to have occurred, the coach that supported the suspension of the game is to send a written report to their league outlining the facts and the names of the officials.

No one should retake the field or re-start the game until all of the lighting and thunder or other hazardous weather has left the area. Specifically, no one should retake the field for a minimum of 20 minutes after the last lightning is seen or thunder is heard, or the dangerously high winds have passed.

Every five seconds between the flash of lightning and the rumble of a thunder is one-mile distance. Experts suggest if you can hear the thunder you are in danger of getting struck as lightning can travel as far as ten miles from a "parent cloud".