Take Part. Get Set For Life.™ National Federation of State High School Associations 2016 Track and Field and Cross Country Rules Changes Major Editorial Changes Points of Emphasis

Inclusion of Students with Disabilities Guidelines for Schools and State Associations for Consideration of Accommodations

Inspection of Starting Blocks Rules 3-6-4,  Responsibility of inspecting starting blocks to be used in running events has been transferred to the head starter  The head starter may appoint a designee to assume this task  The inspector of implements no longer inspects the starting blocks

Use of Flags for Field Event Judges Rule  Head event judge may be equipped with white and red flags  When trial is completed the event judge immediately signals the result of the effort  White flag is raised for “fair”  Red flag is raised for “foul”  In the absence of flags, “fair” or “foul” shall be called

Definitions for Throwing Events Rules thru 5  Trial/attempt is all of a competitor’s actions that occur from when time limit begins until official determines a fair or foul trial  Flight is a round of trials for a group or competitors.  Round is the completion of all trials of one rotation of the order of competitors  Pass is used to forgo a trial  Qualify is earning the right to participate in finals  Foul throw is counted as a trial but is not measured due to violation of a rule(s)

Throwing Events Trial/Attempt Rule Note  A trial/attempt is all of the competitor’s actions that occur from when the time limit begins until the official has determined, through the use of the flag or verbal indication, a fair or foul trial  Note: Actions by a competitor cannot be a foul after the official has ruled the trial fair. This does not negate the immediate correction of a mistaken action by the official.

Excused to Participate in Other Event Rules 6-2-5,  Order of competition in preliminary or final rounds may be changed by the head event judge  A change in order is done to accommodate those competitors in other events  Specific rules for throwing and jumping events apply when a competitor is excused and each rule should be reviewed for proper application

Foul for Not Completing Trial Rule  Competitor is charged with a foul for not initiating the purposeful action of completing the requirements of the athletic challenge (throw) within the prescribed time limit once name has been called for trial

Shot Put-Indoor Implement Specifications Rule  Added specification of a maximum diameter for an indoor shot  The new diameters account for the synthetic cover on the indoor shot  Maximum diameter for boys indoor shot mm  Maximum diameter for girls indoor shot is 130 mm

Javelin Implement Specifications Rule  Reference to a javelin constructed of solid wood removed  Javelin shall be constructed of metal or other suitable material  More modern materials are now permitted such as carbon fiber for construction of the javelin

Definitions for Jumping Events Rules 7-1-1, Note thru 7  Trial/attempt is all of a competitor’s actions that occur from when time limit begins until official determines a fair or foul trial  Note: Actions by a competitor cannot be a foul after the official has ruled the trial fair. This does not negate the immediate correction of a mistaken action by the official.  Flight is a round of trials for a group or competitors  Round is the completion of all trials of one rotation of the order of competitors  Horizontal events include the long and triple jumps  Vertical events include the high jump and triple jumps

Definitions for Jumping Events Rules 7-1-1, Note thru 7  Pass is used to forgo a trial  Qualify is earning the right to participate in finals  Foul jump is counted as a trial but is not measured due to violation of a rule(s)

Foul for Not Completing a Trial Rule  Competitor is charged with a foul for not initiating the purposeful action of completing the requirements of the athletic challenge (jump) of the event within the prescribed time limit once name has been called for trial

Long & Triple Jump Takeoff Board Specifications Rule  Recommended width of the takeoff board is 8 inches  However, the takeoff board may have a width of up to 24 inches  Length remains 42 to 48 inches

Cross Country Course Markings Rule 9-1-3b  Painted boundary lines, both inside and outside or  Use of natural or artificial boundary markers may be used as alternative method to mark the course  Directional flags (Rule 9-1-3a) are required

Recommended Back-up System When Using Transponders Rules 9-3-3a, b  Recommend video or photograph system be used to verify order of finish  Officially designated by meet director  Activated when timing system indicates one-tenth second or less differential  If order of finish determined by transponder is reversed through use of video then times shall also change

Cross Country Finish Corral Rules 9-3-4, 5

Cross Country Finish Corral Rules 9-3-4, 5, &  Use of chute continues to be recommended when transponders are not utilized  Use of a finish corral is recommended at meets where transponder system used for order of finish  The finish corral is the responsibility of the Finish Corral Director

Take Part. Get Set For Life.™ National Federation of State High School Associations 2016 Track and Field and Cross Country Major Editorial Changes

Jumping Events Rules thru 18  Reorganizes rule for greater efficiency when applying the rules for jumps  All general rules are together  All horizontal jumps rules together  All vertical jumps rules together

Cross Country Penalties for Rules 9-6-1, 2  Wearing an illegal uniform has a penalty separate from the not wearing or altering the assigned number or transponder (Penalty 1)  Penalties for not wearing or altering the assigned number or transponder results in disqualification  Should there be an irregularity creating this problem, such incident shall be addressed by the referee (Penalty 2)

Uniform Rules 4-3-1b(5) & 9-6-1b(4)  An American flag, not to exceed 2 by 3 inches may be worn on each item of uniform apparel  A commemorative or memorial patch, not to exceed 4 square inches may be worn on the uniform top or bottom by state association action

Take Part. Get Set For Life.™ National Federation of State High School Associations 2016 Track and Field and Cross Country Points of Emphasis

Role of Officials Inspecting Duties A General Review  Officials should have a pre-meet session to review responsibilities during the meet, inspections of venue, implement inspection and how officials shall work together  A well run meet absent unnecessary concerns for risk minimization depend upon officials fulfilling these and other responsibilities

Use of Flags by Officials  With the rules to no longer call “mark” the field events will be run more efficiently and with improved communication by the use of flags  Head event judge shall have both a white and red flag  When trial is completed, if “fair” a white flag is raised and if “foul” a red flag is raised  The flag is not raised until the judge is certain of the outcome of the actions of the competitor for the throw or jump and all requirements at the ring, arc or jumping area and sector

Number of Competitors in Sections of Distance Races  It is important to consider the size of the field, quality of performances of competitors involved and number of lanes  A section should not be so large as to create an environment that increases the risk for injury or unfair competition  This year’s online Pre-Meet Notes features an article on this topic that will guide meet directors in determining number of competitors in distance race sections

Forces Disassociated with Competitor's Actions in High Jump & Pole Vault  When a competitor has legally and is clearly over the crossbar and a force not associated with the competitor causes the crossbar to be displaced, it is not considered a foul  Examples include but are not limited to wind or in the pole vault the pole rebounding from the plant box padding into the crossbar  It is not considered a disassociated force if the vaulter releases the pole and it falls into the crossbar

Multiple Logos on Uniform Bottoms are Non-Compliant  Coaches must take the time to be certain uniforms are compliant  The display of multiple manufacturers logos on the same uniform item is a violation  When an item is selected as a uniform bottom, it is not in compliance if the waistband has more than on logo or reference or there is also a logo elsewhere  Many of these items are not really uniforms but are base layer items or intended to be a training item or undergarment so the coach must be aware of what he/she is asking the athletes to wear and make sure they are in legal uniforms

NFHS Track and Field Pre-Meet Notes NFHS Track and Field Pre-Meet Notes are made possible through the cooperative efforts of the NFHS Track and Field Rules Committee and USA Track and Field Officials Training Subcommittee NFHS Track and Field Pre-Meet Notes are available online at

■ Starting a Beginner ■ Basic Laws of Physics ■ Drills and Coaching Techniques Course Objectives More Information at nfhslearn.com! Units ■ Starting a beginner – teaching proper standing grip height, width of hands on pole, and position of hands on pole ■ How to instruct beginning level pole-vaulters through skill development drills and build confidence ■ Maintaining a safe practice and competition environment – proper pad placement and securing of vault mat pads ■ Problem Solving ■ Equipment and Facility ■ Interactive Exercise Coaching Pole Vault

Coaching Track and Field ■ Types of races – sprint and endurance ■ Running form – proper posture, arm movement, and leg movement ■ Start and Drive phase – block and standing start ■ Types of jumps – horizontal and vertical ■ Jump elements – approach, take off, flight and landing ■ Throwing – basic skills for each event type ■ How to teach skills for correct form ■ Teaching progressions to combine skills into full movement Course Objectives Units More Information at nfhslearn.com! ■ Running ■ Jumping ■ Throwing

NFHS E-books  Electronic versions of NFHS Rules and Case Books are now available for purchase as e-books  Apple users can visit iTunes for available books  Apple, Android and Kindle users can buy e-books from Amazon.com and view them through the Kindle app  $5.99 Visit for more informationwww.nfhs.org/ebooks

NFHS Track and Field and Cross Country Publications  The Rules Book, Case Book, Officials Manual and Scorebooks can be ordered: Online at By calling

Take Part. Get Set For Life.™ National Federation of State High School Associations Thank You for your support of High School Athletics!