What happens when lightning or thunder interrupts a game or practice, for athletes and spectators of all ages? When play stops, where everyone goes, the 30-minute rule and what to do if someone is struck.
As soon as thunder is heard or lightning is seen. The NFHS lightning guidelines (October 2024) say that at that point, the leading edge of the storm is close enough to strike your location.
If you're monitoring a lightning detection network, also suspend play when lightning is detected within 10 miles, even before you hear or see it.
Don't wait for the rain. The National Weather Service says lightning often strikes outside the area of heavy rain, as far as 10 miles from any rainfall, and many lightning deaths happen ahead of storms because people wait too long to take shelter. Its rule of thumb: "When thunder roars, go indoors."
Under the NFHS lightning guidelines (October 2024), the host school or organization should assign a specific staff member to monitor local weather before and during practices and games. That person is responsible for:
NFHS states that anyone following these guidelines shall not be challenged. Officials, coaches and spectators should respect the call to clear the field.
The lightning policy should be reviewed every year with administrators, coaches and game personnel, and everyone should be trained on it. Your state association may have its own lightning policy that sets out the officials' role. NFHS names state associations and the National Weather Service as the preferred sources for a lightning policy.
Everyone, including players, coaches, officials and spectators, should go immediately to a designated safer place. The NFHS lightning guidelines (October 2024) define these:
| Safer place | Examples |
|---|---|
| Substantial building with plumbing and wiring, where people live or work | School, gymnasium, library |
| Alternative: fully enclosed metal vehicle (not a convertible or soft top) | Car with windows closed, school bus |
Before the event, the person in charge should know where the nearest safer places are and how long it takes to get everyone there, so the move can start in time. Athletes and parents should be told the lightning plan at the start of the season.
Spectators: don't wait in the stands or under trees. Go to the building or your car as soon as play is suspended, and stay there until the 30-minute wait is over.
No. The National Weather Service says there is no safe place outside when thunderstorms are in the area.
NWS lightning guidance for coaches and sports officials says to avoid:
Tents and pop-up canopies don't count either. The NFHS guidelines (October 2024) list only substantial buildings and fully enclosed metal vehicles as safer places.
Go to a substantial building or a hard-topped, fully enclosed metal vehicle with the windows closed. Once inside a building, stay off corded phones and away from wiring and plumbing.
At least 30 minutes. This is the NFHS 30-minute rule (October 2024 guidelines):
The National Weather Service gives the same advice: stay in a safe shelter for at least 30 minutes after you hear the last thunder. Many lightning deaths happen after storms, when people go back outside too soon.
Whether a delayed game is resumed, shortened or rescheduled depends on the sport's playing rules and the league or state association, not the lightning guidelines.
Yes, as a backup but never as a replacement for your own eyes and ears. Under the NFHS lightning guidelines (October 2024):
Not necessarily. The NFHS lightning guidelines (October 2024) note that at night, under certain atmospheric conditions, you can see lightning flashes from distant storms.
If no thunder can be heard and the flashes are low on the horizon, the storm may not pose a threat and it may be safe to continue.
Independently verified lightning detection information helps remove the uncertainty. If it shows a strike within 10 miles, or the sky looks threatening, suspend play.
According to the National Weather Service:
The NFHS lightning guidelines (October 2024) say every school should have a current, practiced lightning policy for all outdoor sports and activities and for indoor swimming pools. The plan should:
NFHS says the preferred sources for a facility's lightning policy are your state association and the nearest National Weather Service office. The NFHS guidelines are the default when no such policy exists.