Where should players and spectators go when play is stopped for lightning?
Guideline- USA
- NFHS SMAC lightning guidelines
- National Weather Service
- Outdoor sports
- Youth and high school sports
- All ages
- 2024 guidance
- Officials
- Coaches
- Spectators
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.
Added 21 Oct 2026