Track and Field Handbook

Track and Field Handbook Updated 2018 1

TABLE OF CONTENTS SECTION TOPIC PAGE A Events 4 B Age of Competitors 4 C Verification 4 D Entries 5 E Competitors 5 F Lane Positions 6 G Clothing 6 H Running Events 1. Starting 6 2. False Starts 6 3. Disqualification 6 4. Finish 7 5. Timing 7 6. Lanes 7 7. Heats 7 8. Re-runs 7 9. 400 Metres 7 10. Order of Events 7 I Relays 8 1. Teams 2. Substitution 3. Baton 4. Co-ed Medley (200-100-100-400) 5. Judging J Hurdles (Separate Meet) 9 1. Entries 2. Ages 3. Shoes 4. Knocking Down 5. Hurdle measurement 9 /10 K 1500 Metres 10 2

SECTION TOPIC PAGE L Shot Put 11 1. Equipment 2. Rules 3. Measurement 4. Ties M Long Jump and Triple Jump 11 1. Number of Trials 2. Take Off 3. Measurement 4. Ties 5. Triple Jump N High Jump 1. Trials 12 2. Bar Heights 12 3. Ties 12 4. Marker 13 5. Measurement 13 6. Rules 13 O Javelin 13 P Twinned Schools 14 Q Records 14 R Appeals 14 S Coaching 14 T Postponements Announcements 14 3

Track and Field Handbook A. EVENTS: Event Tyke Bantam Midget Junior Senior HURDLES EVENTS SPRINT 60m 70m 80m HURDLES EVENTS LONG 110m 200m 100m TRACK EVENTS 200m 400m 800m 1500m High Jump Long Jump FIELD EVENTS Triple Jump Shot Put Javelin (indoor rubber) RELAY EVENTS 4 X 100m Co-Ed (200-100-100-400) B. AGE OF COMPETITOR: Age is determined by the calendar year in which the competitor was born (age on January 1 st ). Each competitor should compete in his/her own age bracket, but if an individual chooses to compete in a higher age bracket, they must do so for all events in which they are entered. Terminology of Ages: 2018 2008 Tyke 2007 Bantam 2006 Midget 2005 Junior 2004 Senior C. VERIFICATION: The principal/vice-principal is to ensure that every contestant is in his /her proper age group. Verification of age is the responsibility of the school concerned. 4

D. ENTRIES - AREA MEETS: a) Each school will be allowed to enter one competitor per age group, per event, per gender, at its area meet, with the following exception: i) In the 1500m, each school will be allowed a maximum of 3 competitors per age, per gender. The competitors should be capable of running the qualifying times. b) An athlete is permitted to be entered into three events plus one relay. This does not include hurdles. c) Athletes MUST NOT be entered to run back to back events on the Track (excluding Relay) Specifically, athletes must not run i) a 100m following a 1500m race ii) a 400m following a 100m race iii) an 800m following a 400m race/100m final iv) a 200m following an 800m race **If an athlete is entered in back to back Track events, they will removed (DQ) from competition in the second event, i.e. if they run the 800m and then run the 200m, they will be removed from the 200m race. Fatigue Factor: All athletes require an appropriate rest period after each race, hence the above limitations on track athlete entries. Coaches must keep the fatigue factor in mind when entering an athlete into multiple events. Please consider the following: Stay away from entering your athletes in 3 running events. Try not to combine the 400m with any other running event. Go over the schedule very carefully to ensure that your athlete has at least 2 events off between races. For example, the 1500 m is in the morning for all athletes. They should skip the 100m event and the event that follows. The 400m is one of the hardest races to perform and requires a greater amount of rest. If an athlete is entered into both the 100m and 200m sprints, this, in reality, represents three events - 1 heat and 2 finals. If this same competitor is a member of a relay team, that event, too, may have heats and finals. It is important to keep in mind that the level of competition at the Durham Finals is much more intense requiring maximum energy output for each heat, final, or field event in which he/she is entered. At the Finals, recovery time between events is even more critical. It is the coach s responsibility to guide and encourage their athlete to make the best decisions possible. NOTE: The hurdle events are held on a separate day. A same competitor may be entered into the sprint and long hurdle events. As the Hurdle Meet is a separate meet it will not count as one of the athletes 3 Area events. E. COMPETITORS: a) In all events, competitors or a team representative must check in when the event is called. They will be ruled out if no one checks in before the completion of the event. b) In Field events, if a competitor who has already been checked in arrives at the event after several rounds have been completed and less than 15 minutes after the last round, that athlete, if it is for a good reason (participating in another event, or a late bus) may take all their attempts. Exception: In the high jump the bar shall not be lowered and the athlete may jump, however at the height of the bar at that time. c) Competitors who finish 1 st, or 2 nd at their area meet will be eligible for the Regional Meet at the Civic Fields. Exception: 1500m: up to three may qualify for the finals, only if they achieve the standard. 5

F. LANE POSITIONS: a) Lanes and order of participation will be determined by the track mate program. b) At the Durham Finals, the 400m, 200m and the co-ed relays will be run in timed heats. c) In all finals, the four fastest qualifiers will draw lanes 3, 4, 5 and 6. The next four fastest will draw lanes 1, 2, 7, and 8. G. CLOTHING a) All competitors MUST wear clothing which will identify his/her school. (eg.: t-shirt, singlet, etc.) b) All competitors must wear shorts, preferably athletic style; however, track suits and /or running tights are acceptable. c) Footwear: i) Suitable shoes, which includes spikes, are to be worn for all track events. If spikes are used when competing at the Civic Fields, only pin spikes are permissible. The maximum number of spikes allowed in the base of the shoe is eleven (11). They may be no larger than 1/4 inch or 6 mm. ii) All footwear must be visibly fastened. H. RUNNING EVENTS: 1. Starting The runners may use starting blocks. Helpers may assist in the placing of the blocks and they may stand on the blocks but they must face backwards, away from the runners. Starting blocks will not be supplied. a) The sprints (100m, 200m, 400m, 4 x 100m relay, co-ed relay and hurdles) shall be started by the following commands. i) On your marks - Competitors come to the starting line and place their hands behind the starting line. ii) Set - Competitors come to a stationary position. iii) The pistol shall be fired when ALL competitors are set. b) The 800m and 1500m shall be started by the following commands: i) Runners take your marks ii) The gun shall be fired when all competitors are set. 2. False Start a) If a competitor leaves the mark with hand or foot or causes another competitor to begin the race by some movement after the set instruction but before the gun is fired, or without the firing of the gun, it is a false start. The offender shall be warned and, if he/she makes a second false start, he/she may be disqualified. The set position is achieved when there is no movement by the competitors at the starting line. b) If there is a false start the Starter will bring the competitors back with a SECOND PISTOL SHOT c) The starter and/or co-starter is the sole judge of the false starts. 3. Disqualification a) Any runner in a sprint or relay who leaves his/her lane and in so, interferes with another runner, shall be disqualified. The track referee or head official shall be responsible for such decisions. b) If, in the opinion of the track referee or head official, the disqualification prevents the placement of other competitors from possible scoring positions, he/she may order the race to be re-run, excluding the disqualified competitors. Should the foul occur in a heat, any competitors affected by such a foul, may be placed in the final heat. c) Relay Exchange Judges will be assigned to positions along the courses of all relay races by the Chief judge and shall report any infractions to him/her. d) Any runner running inside the inner line on the curved section of the track for more than two strides shall be disqualified. 6

4. Finish a) All competitors shall remain in their respective lanes until the judges have selected the winners. b) The Assistant Judges at the finish will select the winners and report to the Chief Judge. c) The decision of the Track Referee/Chief Judge at the finish is final. d) The competitors shall be placed in the order in which any part of their torso (including neck, as distinguished from the head, arms, legs, hands or feet) reaches the nearer edge of the finish line. 5. Timing a) Three Timekeepers shall time first place in each running event. If two of the watches agree and the third disagrees, the time shown by the two shall be the official time. If all three watches disagree, the middle time shall be official. If only two watches are available, and they disagree, the longer time shall be official. Time shall be taken from the flash/smoke of the gun. b) If possible, each runner shall receive an official time. c) In the case of the co-ed relays, 200m and 400m, where there are timed heats, all lanes shall be timed. 6. Lanes a) Sprints, 400m, and hurdles will be run in lanes. b) In the 800m and 1500m, runners must stay in their lanes. Markers will be placed on both sides of the track to indicate where runners may cut in. Runners must ensure that they do not interfere with other runners when they cut in. Any runner interfering with another runner in this way may be disqualified. 7. Heats a) At all meets, sprints and hurdles will run in heats. At the Durham Finals the 4x100 relay will also run in heats. b) In the 100m there will be two heats. The top eight times will advance to the final. (The above is dependent on the number of entries.) 8. Re-run a) If for any reason a race must be re-run, an elapsed time before the re-run shall be determined by the Regional Convenor and/or Track Official. 9. 400 Metres a) 400m will be run in lanes. 10. ORDER OF EVENTS See 2018 Schedule Running Order for Track Events.. Senior Boys Senior Girls Junior Boys Junior Girls Midget Boys Midget Girls Bantam Boys Bantam Girls Tyke Boys Tyke Girls 1500m Boys followed by Girls (first thing in the morning) Track Events: 100m heats, 400m, 100m finals, 800m, 200m Relays: 4 X100 Boys will be right after the 200m in the MORNING before the switch to field events. End of Day: Co-ed Relay Field Events FIELD EVENTS SESSION 1 SESSION 2 SESSION 3 SESSION 4 SESSION 5 High Jump Senior XXX Bantam Midget Junior Shot Put Junior Senior Tyke Bantam Midget Triple Jump Midget Junior Senior XXX Bantam Javelin Bantam Midget Junior Senior Tyke Long Jump Tyke Bantam Midget Junior Senior Following the 1500m run, Boys will continue to run track events in the morning as the girls participate in their field events switching at approximately noon. Boys relay in the morning before they switch over to the field. 7

RELAYS (4X100m relay) 1. Teams Each team must be made up of four runners, each of whom must run only his/her own leg of the race. A fifth runner may be used as a spare. Runners may run in only one (1) relay. No runner shall run both the 4X100m relay AND the coed relay. 2. Substitution The contestants of a team may not be changed after a trial heat unless an original member is ill or injured. Permission for a substitution must be first obtained from the Meet Director (Convener) and the track referee. The injured athlete may not enter into further competition in the meet and only one such substitution may be made. 3. Baton a) Each runner shall carry the baton in his/her hand and shall pass it to the teammate who succeeds him as a runner. b) The last runner must carry the baton across the finish line. c) Runners may take their positions on the track and commence running not more than 10 metres before entering the exchange zone, but the baton must be passed within the exchange zone. d) The baton must be within the exchange zone during the entire exchange. e) The baton must be actually passed (not thrown) from the competitor to the succeeding teammate and his teammate may not reach outside the exchange zone to take the baton. f) If the baton is dropped within the exchange zone in a legitimate attempt to pass it, either runner may retrieve it without penalty, provided he/she does not interfere with a competitor. g) If the baton is dropped outside the exchange zone, it must be retrieved by the runner who drops it. h) After passing the baton, the relieved runner must slow down and must stay in his/her own lane, until all exchanges have been completed. i) Official batons will be supplied at each meet. 4. Co-ed Medley (200-100-100-400) The 800m co-ed relay will be made up of two boys and two girls. They may be placed in any order. The order of the medley will be 200m, 100m, 100m, and 400m. If entries are such that two heats are needed for the district meets, then they will be run in timed sections. The top two teams from each area will advance to the Durham Finals. 5. Judging a) There will be Judges at each relay exchange. b) The Judges will station themselves on the inside and outside of the track. c) Infractions will be reported to the Referee, who alone will announce disqualifications, if any. 8

J. HURDLES - (SEPARATE MEET) 1. Entries - Each school may enter four (4) participants per age group, per gender. ** Each also has 5 extra entries may be used for any age group, either gender or event (sprint or long). 2. Age is determined by the calendar year in which the competitor is born. 3. All participants must wear appropriate attire. Those participants wishing to wear pin spikes must use 1/4 inch pin spikes only. 4. Knocking Down A hurdler must attempt every hurdle but is not disqualified for knocking down any number of hurdles. A competitor who trails his/her foot or leg alongside any hurdle or jumps any hurdle not in his own lane or deliberately knocks down any hurdle by hand shall be disqualified. 5. Hurdle measurement information All distances are measured in metres except where specifically noted! Sprint Hurdles AGE GROUP T Y K E B A N T A M M I D G E T J U N I O R S E N I O R Total Distance 60 70 80 Distance from start to first hurdle Distance between hurdles Distance from last hurdle to finish 9 9 11.5 6 7 G-7.0 B-7.5 9 12 G-19.5 B-16.0 Hurdle Height in cm in inches 46 18 54 21 61 24 69 27 B76 G69 B30 G27 Number of hurdles 8 9

LONG HURDLES AGE GROUP T Y K E B A N T A M M I D G E T J U N I O R S E N I O R Total Distance 110 200 Distance from start to first hurdle Distance between hurdles Distance from last hurdle to finish 22.8 20 18.36 35 13.76 40 Hurdle Height in cm in inches 46 18 54 21 61 24 69 27 B76 G69 B30 G27 Number of hurdles 5. 1500 METRES a) The 1500m event allows 3 entries per school per gender for each age group. It is imperative that students be properly prepared for all races, especially the 1500m. Under no circumstances should an athlete compete in this race, unless he/she has been training regularly to run at this distance. ** Athletes should be able to run 1500 metres under the following times to qualify. ** Tyke/Bantam Midget Junior Senior Girls 7:20 7:10 7:10 7:00 Boys 6:40 6:30 6:20 6:10 Note: The race may stop once the qualifying time has elapsed. Runners who are still on the track will be asked to move off to the infield in order that the next race may proceed. The first three finishers at the area meets qualify for the Durham final meet. 10

L. SHOT PUT 1. Equipment a) For Tyke and Bantam, the weight of the shot shall be 2 kg. For the Midget and Junior the weight of the shot shall be 6 lbs. For Senior Girls the weight of the shot shall be 3kg. For Senior Boys the weight of the shot shall be 4kg. b) Only those shots provided may be used. 2. Rules a) The shot shall be put from the shoulder, near the neck, with one hand only and the competitor shall not allow the shot to pass behind or below his/her shoulder during the attempt. If the shot moves away from the neck and the elbow drops, it is a fault. b) The competitor must begin the attempt from a stationary position and it must be made from within a 2.135 metre circle (7 feet). c) The shot must land within the marked landing area (a 40 degree angle). d) The competition shall consist of three (3) rounds. Only one trial may be taken by the competitor in each round. e) Each competitor may enter the circle from any direction but they must leave the circle from the back half only AFTER the shot has touched the ground. f) It shall be a foul put if the competitor touches with any part of his/her body the top of the circle or the ground outside the circle. When a toe board is used, the competitor may touch the inner edge of the toe board, but not the top. f) All shots must be carried back. 3. Measurement a) The zero ( 0") end of the tape shall be in the field. b) The tape shall be held at the nearest mark made by the shot along the line through the centre of the circle. c) The measurement shall be taken to the nearest centimetres below, at the inside of the stop board. 4. Ties In the case of a tie, the second best performance of the competitors who have tied, shall decide the tie, if the tie still remains, the third best. M. LONG JUMP AND TRIPLE JUMP SPECIAL NOTE: NO TRIPLE JUMP FOR THE TYKE AGE GROUP 1. Number of Trials Each competitor may be allowed three trials. 2. Take Off a) The take-off shall be from a board (or behind it). b) If the competitor touches the ground beyond the take-off line or the take-off line extended, it is a foul and counts as one trial. 3. Measurement All jumps shall be measured at right angles from the nearest break in the pit, made by any part of the body or clothing, to the take-off line or the take-off line extended. If the competitor falls backward and touches outside the pit behind his marks, the jump will not be measured, but will count as a (fault) trial. 4. Ties In the case of a tie, the second best performance of the tying competitors shall decide the tie, if the tie still remains, the third best. 5. Triple Jump The competitor shall first land on the same foot with which he/she took off. The other foot shall be used for the second landing. Otherwise, all rules that apply to Long Jump also apply to Triple Jump. 11

N. HIGH JUMP SPECIAL NOTE: NO HIGH JUMP FOR THE TYKE AGE GROUP 1. Trial a) A competitor may commence his/her trials at any height above the starting heights and may try, at his/her own discretion, at any subsequent height. b) A competitor is permitted a maximum of three trials at any one height. He/she may accept all three trials or he/she may choose to pass. If he/she chooses to pass, he/she forfeits any further trials at that height. Three consecutive failures, regardless of height, eliminates the competitor from further competition. NOTE: 1. When a competitor passes, it is the height that is passed, not the trial and they may not jump until the next height in the competition. 2. A competitor may forego his/her second or third trial at any particular height (after failing a trial) and still try a subsequent height. 2. Bar Heights THE STARTING BAR HEIGHT WILL BE ONE THAT ALL COMPETITORS CAN MAKE. a) The bar shall be raised 10 centimetres each time until there are only 5-6 competitors remaining; then 5 centimetres until there are 3 competitors, then by 3cm until a winner is declared. b) When one competitor remains, he/she may choose the height to which the bar may be raised with a minimum of 3 centimetres. 3. Ties Ties shall be resolved as follows: a) The competitor with the lowest number of jumps at the height at which the tie occurs shall be awarded the higher place. b) If the tie still remains, the competitor with the lowest number of failures throughout the competition, up to and including the last height cleared, shall be awarded the higher place. Example score sheet: 1.05 M 1.10M 1.15M 1.20M 1.25M A - XO XO XXO XXX B - XO XO XO XXX C O - O XXO XXX D - - XXO XXO XXX The height of the tie is 1.20m. B is the winner because he/she had only 2 jumps at the 1.20m height. C is second because he/she has only 2 total failures (up to and including the tied height). A and D tie due to the same number of failures (4). Note: The total number of jumps (both successes and failures) are never used to break ties. c) At the Durham Finals, if the tie still remains: i) If it concerns first place, the competitors so tying shall have one more jump at the lowest height at which any of the tying competitors failed, and if no decision is reached, the bar shall be raised if the tying athletes are successful or lowered if not, 2 cm. They shall then attempt one jump at each height until the tie is decided. Competitors so tying must jump on each occasion when deciding the tie. ii) If the tie concerns any other place, the competitors shall be awarded the same place in the competition. 12

4. Marker a) A ribbon may be placed on the crossbar for sighting purposes. 5. Measurements a) All measurements shall be made perpendicular from the ground to the lowest part of the upper side of the bar. 6. Rules a) A jumper must take off from the ground surface on one foot. Any jump off one foot is legal. b) Knocking the bar off the supports, or touching the ground beyond the plane of the uprights with any part of the body without first clearing the bar shall count as a failed attempt. c) The judge will announce the starting height and the different heights to which the cross bar will be raised at the end of each round. d) When there is only one competitor left, he/she shall have the right to continue jumping until he/she forfeits that right. e) Any measurement of a new height shall be made before the competitors attempt such height. f) Getting out of the pit before the bar falls shall have no bearing on the success or failure of the attempt. g) Competitors have one (1) minute, from the time they are called, to attempt a trial. They may commence the jump as many times as they want within that minute. h) The event will not wait for competitors, who have left the event area to participate in other events in which they may be entered. Their names may be moved to the end of the call up list but if they do not return before the conclusion of the round, they forfeit their attempt in that round. They may resume jumping at the next height. It is not marked as a fault i) There will be a mark placed on the runway perpendicular to the centre line of the bar. This is to ensure that all jumpers take off on or before this mark to ensure safety of landing in the pit O. JAVELIN JAVELIN - THROWING TECHNIQUE. The javelin shall be held at the grip. It shall be thrown over the shoulder or upper part of the arm and shall not be slung or hurled. Non-orthodox styles are not permitted. 1) All ages will throw from a runway 4 m wide and as long as it can be made. 2) The landing area is a pie shaped area 28.95 degrees measured from a point 8 m inside the runway sector 3) As with all events, we should try to give all competitors a result. This could be very difficult given the time frame. Each competitor is assigned a numbered peg at the site. When the competitor throws, the peg is placed at the point of landing, if it is a legal throw. In the second round, if the competitor surpasses his throw, the first peg is moved to the further location. At the end of the third round all pegs are measured starting with the closest peg. The zero on the tape is held at the peg and the tape is pulled across the throwing line and through a point 8m inside the runway. This allows for the arc. JUNIOR AND SENIOR BOYS AND GIRLS WILL USE THE 500G (110cm) JAVELIN TYKE, BANTAM, MIDGET BOYS AND GIRLS WILL USE THE 300G (70cm) JAVELIN Rules 1) Each competitor shall receive three throws. One in each round 2) The competitor may start his/her attempt within the runway sector but may not cross the end line at any time. 3) The competitor must leave the throwing area under control after releasing the javelin. 4) No competitor may enter the landing sector for any reason during the competition. 5) All javelins must be carried back to the throwing area. 6) Only javelins supplied by D.E.A.A. will be used during the competition. 7) If there is a tie for first then it goes back to the next best throw to break a tie. 8) Only those officials involved in running the event will be allowed in the landing sector. 9) The throw must be an overhand action that is over the shoulder. No side arm or underhand throws permitted. 13

P. TWINNED SCHOOLS a) If twinned schools compete as individual schools for some events in Track and Field, they must do so for all events. b) If twinned schools compete as one school for some events in Track and Field, they must do so for all events. Q. RECORDS: a) Records may only be established in regular competitions at the Durham Final Meet. b) Records must be verified by a member of the rules committee. In the Field events, a measurement must be checked before any further competition is conducted. R. APPEALS: If a coach feels that there are grounds for an appeal, he/she shall contact the Meet Convenor. S. COACHING a) Coaches and athletes are permitted to talk to one another as long as it does not delay the event. In the case of Field events, all coaches and spectators must remain away from the competition area proper and must not interfere with the running of the event. b). Coaches are allowed on the track ONLY to help injured athletes, otherwise coaches and spectators must remain away from the track. T. POSTPONEMENT ANNOUNCEMENTS Should a track meet have to be postponed, an email will go out via email by 7:30 A.M (or earlier) on the day of the meet. 14