The purpose of these guidelines is to provide a default policy to those responsible for making decisions concerning the suspension and restarting of contests based on the presence of lightning. The preferred sources from which to request such a policy for your facility would include your state high school association and the nearest office of the National Weather Service.

Proactive Planning

1. Assign staff to monitor local weather conditions before and during events.
2. Develop an evacuation plan, including identification of appropriate nearby shelters.
3. Develop criteria for suspension and resumption of play:
• When thunder is heard, or a cloud-to-ground lightning bolt is seen, the thunderstorm is close enough to strike your location with lightning. Suspend play and take shelter immediately.
• Thirty-minute rule. Once play has been suspended, wait at least 30 minutes after the last thunder is heard or flash of lightning is witnessed prior to resuming play.
• Any subsequent thunder or lightning after the beginning of the 30 minute count, reset the clock and another 30 minute count should begin.
4. Hold periodic reviews for appropriate personnel.

Registration Procedure for USSF Referees.
Go to www.ussoccer.info

If you are a new referee, (You have never been a USSF referee before)

1) Click on New User (SIGNUP
2) Enter the information requested.
3) Select a clinic, and save the info.
4) Contact the association offering the clinic so that they know you have registered

Note: At this time, you cannot prepay for the clinic online at registration time. This might be fixed in the future.

If you are a returning referee.

1) Go to www.ussoccer.info
2) Enter your username as R followed by your 12 digit USSF ID
    Example R2008123400001234
3) Your password is your last name (Unless you have changed it)
4) Select register for 2009. Make sure your biographic info is correct.
5) Make sure to select the recertification clinic
6) Accept the terms of the agreement 
7) Pay the fee by entering a credit card  info at the bottom.
     Hit the Submit button only ONCE

If you are 18 years old or older you must also register for kid safe

1) Go to www.alabamayouthsoccer.org
2) Select the Referee tab
3) From the left side select "Referee Background Checks"
4) Select the Registration tab
5) Select the "Kidsafe Registration dialog box and click on continue
6) Select "Create New Account"
7) Enter all required info\

Kidsafe registration is free.