SLYSA SEVERE WEATHER GUIDELINES
SEVERE WEATHER GUIDELINES
As the majority of soccer is played outdoors, lightning and severe weather pose a threat to player health and safety. When it comes to making decisions to suspend or cancel play due to weather condition, site managers, facility operations staff, coaches, officials, and administrators all share responsibility. These same individuals should be aware of close safe shelter locations and know how to evaluate when it is safe to resume play after severe weather leaves an area.
Lightning & Thunder Policy
If lightning is detected within an 8-mile radius of the soccer complex, all games and activities will be immediately suspended, and participants, spectators, and staff must seek appropriate shelter. Detection can be from any league official, including referees, site manager, or facility managers.
Your vehicle is the safest place; avoid open shelters, high elevations, open areas, tall objects, metal bleachers, unprotected open buildings, trees, and light post or poles. At some facilities, safe indoor locations may be available.
Restart conditions:
Play may resume only after a minimum of thirty (30) minutes has elapsed since the last detected lightning strike.
Each additional lightning occurrence resets the 30-minute clock.
To maintain the integrity of the day's schedule, SLYSA will not delay subsequent matches beyond their scheduled kickoff times due to a previous match's lightning delay.
SLYSA's goal is to minimize the impact of weather on as many teams as possible. While lightning delays are unavoidable, allowing one delayed match to push back every game for the remainder of the day would impact hundreds of players and families and could result in games beyond facility availability. By keeping later matches on schedule, the league protects the experience of the greatest number of participants while rescheduling any affected match as fairly as possible.
Game Status and Weather Communication
SLYSA will make every reasonable effort to communicate weather-related schedule changes as quickly as possible. Because weather conditions can vary significantly across the St. Louis area , decisions may be made on a facility-by-facility basis rather than league-wide.
Rainout Line (Official Communication Platform) – The primary and most efficient method for communicating facility-specific weather updates before and during the day. Rainout Line provides real-time updates by facility and should be considered the official source for game status.
Download the Rainout line here - Rainout Line
On-Site Facility Staff – Facility personnel may communicate weather delays, suspensions, or field closures through air horns, public address systems, verbal announcements, or other facility communication methods.
Referees – Match officials have the authority to suspend or terminate matches due to unsafe weather conditions and will communicate those decisions directly to coaches and team officials on the field.
SLYSA Site Directors or League Representatives – When present, SLYSA personnel may communicate weather-related decisions directly to referees, coaches, and spectators.
SLYSA Staff Communications – League staff may distribute weather updates through GotSport email, text messaging, the SLYSA website, social media, or direct communication with club administrators, as appropriate.
Suspended or Abandoned Matches
If a match is suspended due to weather or unsafe conditions:
Before Halftime: If the first half is not completed, the match may be rescheduled to play in full.
After Halftime: If at least one full half has been completed, the match will be considered official.
What should be done if someone is struck by lightning?
If someone is injured by a lightning strike, follow these emergency management steps:
- Call 911 and alert emergency medical responders (EMS).
- Establish that the area is safe before moving to help victim. If there is more than one victim, first assist those who appear in the most severe condition.
- Move individual(s) carefully to a safe location (victims of lightning strikes are safe to touch and do not carry an electric charge).
- Initiate CPR on victims who are unconscious, not breathing or have no pulse. Use an automated external defibrillator (AED) if one is available.
- Evaluate the individual(s) for additional injuries, such as broken bones or dislocations. Notify EMS of the potential injuries when they arrive on the scene.
- Under no circumstances should a player injured in a lightning strike return to the game or practice. Injured players should only be allowed to return to play after a thorough examination and release by a qualified physician.