INCLEMENT WEATHER PROCEDURE FOR HOUSE LEAGUE GAMES
The following procedure applies to Guelph Soccer House League games only. House League
coaches and referees should be aware of this procedure.
All referees have been instructed about the Ontario Soccer lightning policy. The following is
taken directly from this policy:
Ultimately, the referee has the final say over delaying or restarting a match due to
weather. Waiting to stop play or not waiting to start play may result in a serious
injury or loss of life. Referees are expected to act responsibly when dealing with such
events during matches they are controlling. When lightning is detected, you can
determine the distance of lightning in your area by counting the number of seconds
between the flash and the first sound of the thunder and dividing by five (5). This will
give you the distance in miles from your location. Remember, if you are in a higher
elevation, the lightning can come upon you much quicker and your reaction time is
greatly hindered.
30/30 RULE
When you see lightning, count the time until you hear thunder. If this time is thirty
(30) seconds or less, seek proper shelter. Wait thirty (30) minutes or more after
hearing the last thunder before leaving the shelter. If you cannot see the lightning, just
hearing the thunder is a good back up rule.
Large enclosed structures (substantially constructed buildings) tend to be much safer
than smaller or open structures. If no such building is available, fully enclosed
vehicles such as cars, trucks, buses, vans, fully enclosed farm vehicles, etc. with the
windows rolled up provide good shelter from lightning. Never stand under trees, in
an open field or under an umbrella.
Guelph Soccer Policy
Before kickoff: If the count is less than 30 seconds less than 15 minutes before kickoff the
game will be cancelled. If the count is less than 30 seconds more than 15 minutes before
kickoff a wait time of 30 minutes begins. Note: Games will not start more than 15 minutes
after the originally scheduled kickoff. If a match is stopped due to inclement weather after
kickoff the game will be abandoned.
If the referee stops the game because of lightning, the game will be considered to be
completed and will not be re-started. The referee and coaches must ensure that everyone
leaves the field of play as quickly as possible and that they seek proper shelter. Nets should
not be removed from the goalposts during a thunderstorm – coaches should wait until it is
safe to put away the equipment. A coach must respectfully inform the referee at the next
stoppage of play if he or she hears thunder within 30 seconds of seeing lightning.
The referee may stop for any other reason related to inclement weather at his or her
discretion. All games stopped due to inclement weather will be considered to be completed
and will not be re-started. The referee should also keep in mind the direction from the City of
Guelph that sports groups should exercise restraint in the use of city fields in the event of
saturated field conditions: http://guelph.ca/seasonal/sports-field-status/
Games called or cancelled will not be re-scheduled. For the purposes of standings, where a
game is called and more than two thirds of the game has been played, the score at the time the
game is called will stand. If less than two thirds of the game has been played or the game did
not begin, a score of 1-1 tie will be posted. When a game is stopped due to inclement
weather, the referee must submit a Special Incident Report to Guelph Soccer within 48 hours,
which indicates the minute that the game was stopped and the reason(s) for the stoppage.