Weather Policy

INCLEMENT WEATHER AND/OR LIGHTNING SAFETY

Utah is famous for unpredictable weather patterns and July seems to be peak time for Mother Nature to throw in her curveball weather! Please keep your athletes and parents safe should inclement weather arise and read through the following to be prepared should it occur. Thank you! US Youth Lighting Policy  http://www.usyouthsoccer.org/news/lightning_safety_outdoors/

A simple rule that eliminates referee discretion in the case of lightning states: “If lightning is present the referee shall follow US Soccer guidelines on adverse weather conditions.” These guidelines set out the “30-30 rule”. The first “30” refers to the flash-to-bang method. If lightning is followed by thunder within thirty seconds, everyone should evacuate the field immediately and seek shelter. The second “30” refers to game resumption. The players should not return to the field until thirty minutes after the last clap of thunder is heard or the last flash of lightning is seen.

One of the biggest threats to any outdoor recreational activity is weather. The risk of bad weather is something that coaches should take very seriously. Lightning is one of the most dangerous weather-related emergencies. According to the NATA, lighting kills approximately 100 people in the U.S. each year, and injures many more. Not only can lightning injure athletes, it puts spectators at risk also. There are a few precautions that can be taken in order to help keep athletes and spectators safe during a lightening emergency:

·        Designate a safe place big enough for athletes and spectators.

·        Designate a weather watcher to keep an eye on impending bad weather and is responsible for making the call to remove players from the field.

·        Know and use the flash to bang count.

·        Know the lightening safe position: crouched on the ground, weight on the balls of the feet, feet together, head lowered, and ears covered.

·        DO NOT lie flat on the ground.

 -- From the National Center for Sports Safety

The rule of thumb is that every 3 seconds of delay between a flash to thunder, equates to a distance of 1 kilometer, so where 30 second flash-to-thunder time interval, the lightning activity is about 10 km away.

Glory Cup Weather Rule: Tournament Director has the final say as to whether or not a game is cancelled or will resume. If the game is cancelled at any time during the second half due to inclement weather, the score at the time of cancellation will be final. There will be no exceptions to this rule. We sincerely apologize should this be necessary, but due to time constraints and field availability; we cannot reschedule or postpone games due to weather. Any games cancelled or postponed during the first half will finish in a shoot-out or possible coin toss depending on the weather severity at a later time to be decided by tournament officials.

Should it be determined that we are unable to continue to play due to severe weather, games will; 1. be final if they are in the second half 2. be shortened if at all possible, and completed once safe to do so or 3. be completed with penalty kicks or a coin toss depending on the length of the weather delay.   All and any weather-related outcomes cannot be contested and will be final.