Enough light?

[mikejwjr]

Situation is U-14 State Cup semi-final in first week of June. Scheduled start time is 7:15pm. Actual kick off is at 8:00 pm, due to the fact that the previous game went into OT and eventually KFTM. There are no lights on this field. Weather is very cloudy, with threats of rain. There is a discussion before the kick off between the referees, both coaches, and tournament officials whether to even start the game & reschedule for the next evening. Both coaches agree to start the game, with acknowledgement that the full time will most likely not be reached, due to lack of light. The game was terminated early due to lack of light, but probably should have been terminated even earlier for the same issue. My main question is; how would you determine when there is insufficient light to continue the game?

[Gary V]

Part of the analysis will be what color uniforms the players are wearing. When you can't tell the red unis from the black, it's time to stop. When you can't tell the red from the white, you've gone too long! You also have to consider whether the background is contrasting or matching. There was a game a few years back at a stadium with lights - except no one there knew how to get them turned on! As I recall we just managed to get the game in, but my AR remarked how he kept misplacing the defender who was wearing black. He knew she was out there, he just couldn't always see her against the backdrop of the bleachers.

As far as mechanics, if it is possible, try to make a determination of about when you will have to stop play, and inform the players ahead of time. "It's getting dark guys, only 5 more minutes." Then they won't be surprised. You can end the game at a spot known in advance, subject to the few seconds leeway based on game situation that you normally use when ending the game at full time.

[ref2coach]

When the referee and players can not see well enough for safety.

A similar situation is when "fog" or "mist" begins to obscure sight. My rule of thumb is that when crossing the center of the field I must be able to see both goals, all 4 corner flags and distinguish between all players on the field. I use this same criteria when twilight is changing to dark.

[DadOf6]

Situation is U-14 State Cup semi-final in first week of June. Scheduled start time is 7:15pm. Actual kick off is at 8:00 pm, due to the fact that the previous game went into OT and eventually KFTM. There are no lights on this field. Weather is very cloudy, with threats of rain. There is a discussion before the kick off between the referees, both coaches, and tournament officials whether to even start the game & reschedule for the next evening. Both coaches agree to start the game, with acknowledgement that the full time will most likely not be reached, due to lack of light. The game was terminated early due to lack of light, but probably should have been terminated even earlier for the same issue. My main question is; how would you determine when there is insufficient light to continue the game?

If the ARs cannot see each other the game should be terminated.

If the red jerseys look like the blue jerseys the game should be terminated.

If any player is capable of kicking the ball so far that he cannot see it land the game should be terminated.

I would hope that when they decided to start the game anyway that they announced before the opening kick that "both halves are being shortened to xx minutes." They should never play full time for the first half and then get as much of the second half in as they can.

[Alberto]

Safety first. If the keeper cannot see the ball clearly abandon the match. I like what ref2coach said stand at the kick off mark. If you cannot easily see the four corner flags. Abandon the match.

[Tarheel Ref]

Situation is U-14 State Cup semi-final in first week of June. Scheduled start time is 7:15pm. Actual kick off is at 8:00 pm, due to the fact that the previous game went into OT and eventually KFTM. There are no lights on this field. Weather is very cloudy, with threats of rain.

I think I'd have abandoned the match at this point, before kickoff due to the complete impossibility of any potential to reach full time (end of the 2nd half) before the sun went down. About 7:45 I would have been calling someone with the authority to decide whether to start or not....

And yes I know that authority ultimately rests with me (the CR) but for
a decision at that level the competition authorities should be involved...

[nonya]

Both coaches agree to start the game, with acknowledgement that the full time will most likely not be reached, due to lack of light.

Why would you even start the match if everyone knew it would have to be terminated because of lack of light?

[code1390]

Why would you even start the match if everyone knew it would have to be terminated because of lack of light?

Better yet you could shorten each half (with the agreement of both teams) as law 7 allows.

[vabeacher]

As I recall we just managed to get the game in, but my AR remarked how he kept misplacing the defender who was wearing black. He knew she was out there, he just couldn't always see her against the backdrop of the bleachers.

A agree that low light situations are much tougher for the AR to deal with than the CR. As CR, you can work a little harder to get yourself closer to the action, but as AR you don't have a choice. You may be forced to make offside calls involving players as many as 50-60 yards away from you. I think, it's really up to the AR to notify the CR that, due to the lack of visibility, he can no longer do his/her job. I've been in situations like the one described, where you start losing players against the backdrop (trees, bleachers, etc). Plus, as we referees age, our vision will start deteriorating, especially in low light.

[Rufusabc]

I hate to tell you but two 40 min halfs and about 10 mins of either half time or added time or whatever means that game would have gotten over at 9:30 anyway. Unless you were playing in the Western part of the eastern time zone or further down south there is NO way that game would have ever been completed. 7:15 would have been pushing it too, if extra time and kicks would have been needed.