1. Track & Field and Cross Country Rules Changes - 2019
October 14, 2018 – Presenter: Tom McTaggart, New York Officials’ Association Rules Interpreter

2. The Rule changes in the 2019 Rules book
There are not many changes for 2019, but they are both significant and Clarifying.
All the changes have been made to parts of Rules 4 (Competitors and Competition), Rule 6 (Field Events), and Rule 8 (Cross-Country).
The Points of Emphasis for 2019 are detailed on pages 75 and 76 of the Rules book
Some small errors were made in the printing of the book, so the NFHS has also issued Rule Book Corrections which shall be detailed toward the end of this presentation. Each Officials association chapters should distribute these corrections so that members can hand correct their books to be current.

3. The changes to rule 4 deal with?? – uniforms!! – rules 4-3-1 and 4-3-2
The rules with reference to the uniform tops, bottoms, and one-piece uniforms, pretty much remain the same, except for a new interpretation of rule dealing with relay and cross-country uniforms.
What changes dramatically is Rule b-7 dealing with visible garments worn underneath the uniform top or bottom.

4. Changes in Rules 4-3-1 and 4-3-2 -- UNIFORMS
4-3-1: Eliminates redundant language and expands definition of foundation garments (considered as “invisible” under the rules).
Rationale: This change expands the current interpretation of foundation garment to include any item worn under the uniform top and/or bottom as well as eliminate duplicate language in same rule.
Specific new revisions (highlighted in gray shading) are on pages 23 and 24 applying to:
Rule b, b – 2,3,4,5,7
Rule a
The language is very clear. Just read it carefully and absorb the meaning.

5. COMMENTS ON THIS RULE CHANGE (4-3-1)
The change eliminates redundant language in Article 1.
Current logo/trademark/reference restrictions will remain in place for all uniform tops and/or bottoms.
The current interpretation of “foundation garment” has been expanded to include any item worn under the uniform top and/or bottom.
This change will minimize any issues related to logo/trademark/reference, color and length of undergarments.
The Games Committee still has the authority to restrict the wearing of any item outside of the required school uniform and therefore could create more restrictive rules regarding items worn under the uniform if deemed appropriate.

6. NFHS Track & Field and Cross Country Rules Changes – Rule 4-3-2 a
4-3-2 a: Clarifies uniform language for relay and cross country team members.
Rationale: Slight differences in design of uniform do not negatively impact the identification of a relay or cross country team. The expectation of this rule is that all relay and cross country team members can be clearly identified as representing the same school.
The rule is on pages 23 and 24 in the 2019 Rules Book.

7. COMMENTS ON RULE CHANGE to Rules 4-3-1 and 4-3-2-a -- Why did we change it?
With the increase of number of programs nationwide that are allowing individual team members the option to independently purchase either all or part of their team uniform, the uniform rule has become increasingly more difficult to officiate.
Slight differences in design of uniform do not negatively impact the easy identification of a relay or cross-country team.
The key thing is that officials should be able to observe readily that all members are identifiable as being from the same team.

8. Changes in Rule 6 (field events)
The changes here deal with:
Clarification in the rules for measurement of the long throwing events (Discus and Javelin Throws)
Standardization of the requirements for a safe and legal landing pit venue for horizontal jumping events

9. NFHS Track & Field and Cross Country Rules Changes – Rules 6-6-11 and 6-8-12
6-6-11, : Records measurement in discus and javelin to the nearest lesser inch or centimeter.
Rationale: Clarifies measurements when using metric system.
This clarifies the measurement of the “long throw” events – the Discus and Javelin throws – in both the Imperial and Metric system
(FYI – Two state associations are measuring these events using the metric system)

10. COMMENTS ON RULE CHANGE to Rules 6-6-11 and 6-8-12
This addition of language “to the nearest lesser centimeter” puts this rule in line with other rule codes. (IAAF, USATF, NCAA)
It also enables states that are using the metric system (e.g. - Florida) to give a fairer depiction of the actual performance.

11. NFHS Track & Field and Cross Country Rules Changes – Rules 6-9-4 and 6-9-5
6-9-4, 6-9-5: Clarifies pit measurements for long jump and triple jump.
Rationale: Ensures pit measurements are within industry standards for safety.
These specific changes are seen highlighted in gray on Page 61 of the 2019 NFHS Rules Book.
6-9-4 Requires a landing pit depth of at least 12 inches (30 cm) filled with sand or other soft material
6-9-5-a makes specific requirements about distance between the takeoff board and the nearer edge of the landing area and the foul line and the farther edge of the landing area in the Long Jump b does the same with the Triple Jump.
READ the RECOMMENDATION in the Triple Jump and the NOTE in the rule.

12. COMMENTS ON RULE CHANGE to Rules 6-9-4 and 6-9-5
One of the NFHS Board of Directors’ goals is to address specific areas of risk in all NFHS Sports.
These changes ensure that pit measurements going forward are within industry standards for safety.

13. NFHS Track & Field and Cross Country Rules Changes – Rule 8 – cross-country
Important Changes in Rule 8 – Cross-Country.
8-1-1 thru 3: Clarifies legal course layout.
Rationale: Clarification of course markings. How to set up, measure, and mark a legal course is explained very clearly.
8-3-2 thru 5: Clarifies order of finish based when the torso crosses the finish line, regardless of timing methods.
Rationale: Clarifies that no matter the system used, the order of finish is based on when the torso crosses the finish line.

14. COMMENTS ON RULE CHANGE to Rules 8-1-1, 8-1-2, 8-1-3
This clarifies course markings to better describe the options for a legal course layout.
The process of measurement for laying out a course is clearly described
All options for marking a legal course using signposts and/or arrows ia clearly described.
The use of the traditional Red/Yellow/Blue FLAG DESIGNATIONS and how they are used is very clearly described as well.

15. COMMENTS ON RULE CHANGE to Rules 8-3-2, 8-3-3, 8-3-4, 8-3-5
Currently there are three methods for determining the order of finish in cross-country:
Traditional hand timing with tear tags,
Shoe or bib chips to do timing,
Photo finish systems.
This rule change clarifies that no matter what system is being used, the order of finish is based on when the TORSO crosses the finish line!
This removes any doubt that scoring is done on the basis of PLACE rather than time.
This will end the “sliding” into the finish of athletes where shoe chips are employed.

16. NFHS 2019 Points of emphasis
For the comments on these Points of Emphasis, read pages 75 and 76 of your Rules Book
Uniforms
Wearable Technology
Officials Safety and Recommendations in Vertical and Horizontal Jumps.

17. Rule book Corrections
Page 49: ART The box shall be of dimensions indicated in the accompanying Diagrams A and B Figure 3 and 4, and it shall be placed so the top edges are at ground level. The box in Diagram B Figure 4 shall be constructed so that the sides slope outward at the end nearest the landing pit.
Page 50: ART The zero point, located at the top of the back of the plant box, is used to determine the distance the crossbar travels toward the back of the landing surface, the starting point of the runway and to identify the proper placement of the landing surface. (Diagrams A, B and C) Figure 3, 4, and 5.
Element 1.303, a free straddle jump mount onto the end of the beam with a 180° leg separation is a high superior.
Element 1.105, a scissor leg swing with ½ turn (180°) to a cross straddle sit mount is a medium.
Element 3.202, a 1/1 turn (360°) with the hand holding the leg between horizontal and 45° above horizontal is a superior.
Element 3.203, a 1/1 turn (360°) with the free leg between horizontal and 45° below horizontal is a superior.

18. Rule book Corrections
Page 53: Art Projecting lines, 2 inches (5 centimeters) wide and 8 inches (20 centimeters) long, lying on the diameter extended and outside the circumference, shall be used to designate the back half of the throwing circle. (Figure 3 Figure 7)
Page 56: Art A concrete surface with a 1/64 inch (1 millimeter) roughness is recommended.(Figure 4 Figure 10)
Page 56: Art The inside edge of the line or band is the limit of the putting circle. (Figure 5 Figure 11)
Page 58: ART The runway for the throw should have a minimum length of 120 feet (36.5 meters) and shall be marked by two parallel lines, 13 feet, 1½ inches (4 meters) apart and terminated by a foul-line arc with a radius of 26 feet, 3 inches (8 meters) as shown on Figure 6 Figure 13.
Element 1.303, a free straddle jump mount onto the end of the beam with a 180° leg separation is a high superior.
Element 1.105, a scissor leg swing with ½ turn (180°) to a cross straddle sit mount is a medium.
Element 3.202, a 1/1 turn (360°) with the hand holding the leg between horizontal and 45° above horizontal is a superior.
Element 3.203, a 1/1 turn (360°) with the free leg between horizontal and 45° below horizontal is a superior.

19. Rule book Corrections
Page 65: ART A competitor finishes a cross country race when the torso of the runner breaks the plane of the finish line when using hand- or image-based timing systems or a combination of image-based and chip timing systems. (Figure 8 16 and 17, Diagram of Chute)
Page 66: ART The runners are observed for 100 meters for any reason to recall the race that would constitute an unfair start. (Figure 7 15)
Element 1.303, a free straddle jump mount onto the end of the beam with a 180° leg separation is a high superior.
Element 1.105, a scissor leg swing with ½ turn (180°) to a cross straddle sit mount is a medium.
Element 3.202, a 1/1 turn (360°) with the hand holding the leg between horizontal and 45° above horizontal is a superior.
Element 3.203, a 1/1 turn (360°) with the free leg between horizontal and 45° below horizontal is a superior.

20. To all the Participants in this webinar:
THANK YOU for taking part and being diligent in updating your knowledge of the rules.
THANK YOU for making sure our athletes have a ”level” playing field with officials that are knowledgeable and provide them with an experience that is SAFE, FAIR, and FUN!
THANK YOU for all you do for the athletes of New York State!

21. Address any further questions to:
Tom McTaggart – NYS Rules Interpreter – –
Bob Headwell – President, NYSCOTFCC – –