What happens if there's lightning during practice or a game?
Guideline- USA
- NFHS
- High school
- Grades 9-12 (ages 14-18)
- Varsity
- 11-player football
- NFHS rules
- 2026 rules
- Players
Under the NFHS Sports Medicine Advisory Committee's lightning guidelines:
- As soon as thunder is heard or a cloud-to-ground lightning bolt is seen, play is suspended and everyone takes shelter immediately. If you can hear thunder, the storm is close enough to strike.
- Play doesn't resume until at least 30 minutes after the last thunder or lightning.
- Any new thunder or lightning restarts the 30-minute count.
The guidelines call for schools to identify safe shelter areas in advance and to tell athletes the lightning policy at the start of the season.
Updated 21 Oct 2026