1. 2010 TRACK and FIELD RULES MEETING 2010 TRACK and FIELD RULES MEETING

2. COACHES REMINDERS  Before Athletes Start Practice: -Athletic Physical signed and on file at school. -Athletic Physical signed and on file at school. -Parental consent forms signed and on file. -Parental consent forms signed and on file.  During the Season: Check ALL track and field equipment and facilities for safety – does it comply with 2010 NFHS Track and Field Rules- Check ALL track and field equipment and facilities for safety – does it comply with 2010 NFHS Track and Field Rules-

3. COACHES REMINDERS  Catastrophic Injury Preparations: 1. Have a plan in place for practice and meets. meets. 2. Document your instructions of correct track and field techniques and drills. track and field techniques and drills. 3. Correct illegal techniques and potentially dangerous situations in practice and in dangerous situations in practice and in meets and document if they persist. meets and document if they persist.

4. STARTERS and OFFICIALS REMINDERS  ALL varsity level meets shall use registered starters.  Open Book Test Due – March 24, 2010  Application for Starters for State Meet – April 12 th  Starters enter schedules on-line ASAP and update any changes.

5. NFHS and NSAA Policy Statement on Steroids The Nebraska School Activities Association (NSAA) and the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), strongly oppose the abuse of anabolic steroids and other performance- enhancing substances by high school student-athletes. Such use violates legal, ethical and competitive equity standards, and imposes unreasonable long-term health risks. The NSAA and the NFHS support prohibitions by educational institutions, amateur and professional organizations and governmental regulators on the use anabolic steroids and other controlled substances, except as specifically prescribed by physicians for therapeutic purposes.

6. NSAA Sportsmanship Penalties NEW CHANGES IN EJECTION POLICY Coaches who are ejected: Have 10 days to successfully complete NFHS Sportsmanship online course at Coach or School Expense – Coaches who are ejected a 2 nd time: Have 10 days to successfully complete NFHS Fundamentals of Coaching at Coach or School Expense –

7. NSAA Sportsmanship Penalties Athletes who are ejected a 2 nd time : Must sit-out 2 contests Athletes who are ejected a 3 rd time: Must sit-out 3 contest If an athlete or coach is ejected in the final game of the season – the ejection carries over to the next season

8. NSAA Sportsmanship Penalties Schools having coaches or students with multiple ejections must submit to the NSAA: A written management plan explaining how they plan to remediate the problem.

9. NSAA BYLAWS - TRACK nine meets Athletes are limited to nine meets involving four or more teams. Athletes are limited to one meet per day.

10. 2010 District Track and Field Meets  Classes A and D –  Classes A and D – Wednesday May 12, 2010  Classes B and C –  Classes B and C – Thursday May 13, 2010

11. DISTRICT TRACK & FIELD  District entries due – May 3, 2010  The NSAA District Track Entry Form and District Track Roster are submitted online.

12. 2010 State Track and Field Meet  May 21-22 – Omaha Burke Stadium **Classes B and D – early session!  Boys Town is available.

14. Games Committee-Coaching Box Rule 3-2-4g NOTE  When used, all areas designated for the coaches (coaching boxes) to observe and confer with competitors shall be clearly identified and marked by the host meet management Coaching boxes should be identified by the games committee prior to the start of the competition Coaching boxes should be marked with flags, pennants, painted lines, etc.

15. Games Committee-Video Replay Rule 3-2-7  The games committee has authority to approve the use of pictures/video equipment, prior to competition, to assist in the final decision of place finish in races Must identify equipment to be used Must determine location of equipment Must identify intended purpose to assist in final decision of place finish Not for coaches to use for protesting judgment of official(s)

16. Anemometer Rule 3-17-2  Anemometer (wind instrument or gauge) required for: races up to and including 200 meters long jump triple jumps  Location of anemometer: 4 feet above ground Within 2 meters of track/runway 50 meters from finish line 20 meters from horizontal jumps foul line Faces start of event

17. Communication With a Competitor Rule 4-5-8e  It is an unfair act when a competitor receives any assistance from any other person Assistance includes: Communicating with a competitor through the use of any device

18. Forming Heats Rule 5-6-3  Example: Games committee decides to use alleys for varsity boys 800-meter run Alley start must be used for all heats varsity boys 800-meter run If girls competition is held at the same meet, a different start could be used, but must be the same start for all varsity girls races in the same event

19. Forming Heats Rule 5-6-3  NOTE: For subvarsity, a different starting configuration could be used, if needed, for example, to accommodate expanded participation

20. Hurdling Infractions Rule 5-13-2b  It is an infraction if a competitor: Knocks down any hurdle by hand  Official no longer has to determine if the hurdle was knocked down deliberately by hurdler’s foot Eliminates need for official to determine hurdler’s intent It is a foul if a hurdle is knocked down by hand It is not a foul if a hurdle is knocked down by foot Hurdlers must attempt to clear each hurdle

21. Shot Put Rule 6-5-5  A 34.92-degree sector shall be marked on the ground  Radial lines 2 inches (5 centimeters) wide shall extend from the center of the circle to form an area into which legal puts shall be made  The inside edges of these lines shall mark the sector and the lines shall be placed equidistance from the ends of the stopboard

22. Shot Put Rule 6-5-5

23. Bungee Cord Use in Warm-ups in Vertical Jumps Rule 7-2-11 NOTE  A bungee cord/elastic crossbar manufactured for use in the high jump and pole vault may be used during warm-ups, as approved by the games committee

24. Bungee Cord Use in Warm-ups in Vertical Jumps Rule 7-2-11 NOTE  Bungee cord/elastic crossbar for warm-ups Shall be manufactured for the specific intended purpose for use in the field event Shall be supplied by the host meet management Should the hosting school elect not to secure and provide a bungee cord, it is not permissible for a competitor or another school to supply or use a bungee cord for warm-ups At no time shall a bungee cord/elastic crossbar be used in competition

25. Pole Vault Rule 7-5-4  A competitor shall not use a variable weight pole, a pole which is improperly marked, a pole rated below his/her weight, or any other equipment which is not legal during warm-ups or competition Removed bungee cord/elastic crossbar from the list of illegal equipment for warm-ups Bungee cord/elastic crossbar not legal for competition

26. Jumping Events Rules 7-4-6 NOTE and 7-5-11 NOTE  Effective January 1, 2013, the high jump and pole vault crossbars shall be circular  Square with beveled edges or triangular crossbars shall no longer be legal for competition

27. Pole Vault Rule 7-5-29  It is no longer a foul if a vaulter clears the crossbar in an otherwise legal attempt if the standards are incorrectly set by officials  The event officials have the responsibility during competition to have all equipment properly set  Vaulter should not have to assume verifying actions of officials to be certain he/she does not have an unnecessary foul

28. 2010 Major Editorial Changes

29. Editorial Changes  Rule 4-5-9When a competitor is rendered unconscious, or apparently unconscious, he/she shall not be permitted to return to play that day without written authorization from a physician (MD/DO)  Rule 6-3-2 Lettering/numbering was corrected. No change to rule, just a clarification  Rule 7-5-3Prior to competition, the coach must verify that all of the school’s pole vaulters and poles meet these requirements

30. 2010 Points of Emphasis

31. Points of Emphasis – Coaching Box  The games committee has the authority to: designate specific areas for coaches to observe and confer with competitors establish who may occupy the coaching box confirm what activity may occur within a coaching box  All decisions regarding coaching boxes shall be made by the games committee prior to any competition beginning

32. Points of Emphasis – Coaching Box  Coaching boxes should be clearly marked with a fence, rope, banners, or painted lines  All coaches and officials should be informed in writing or by announcement which events have coaching boxes regarding the guidelines in place for coaching boxes

33. Points of Emphasis – Coaching Box  Those permitted to occupy the coaching box, while the specific event is in progress, should be issued a non-transferable credential which must be displayed at all times  While in the coaching box, all rules limiting the assistance a coach may offer a competitor shall not be negated

34. Points of Emphasis – Pole Vault  Meet management is responsible for providing a landing system, standards and runway that meet the rule requirements  Coaches are responsible for their competitors having legal vaulting poles and that the competitor’s weight is at or below the manufacturer’s pole rating  Officials are required to inspect each pole to verify legality

35. Points of Emphasis – Pole Vault  Etchings, serial numbers, etc. that may appear on poles shall not replace the requirement of the manufacturer’s pole rating in the minimum ¾-inch marking in a contrasting color on each pole either above or within the required 1-inch circular band marking the top handhold position

36. Points of Emphasis – Pole Vault A) weight rating is within top handhold band; B) etchings on bottom end of pole listing characteristics and can’t be used to satisfy Rule 7-5-3; C) weight rating in top handhold band and etchings at top of pole; D) weight rating in top handhold band. Manufacturer’s placed weight rating shall be in a contrasting color, ¾” in height and located in or above top handhold band A B C D

37. Points of Emphasis – Pole Vault  No meet management, coach or official can disregard any requirements of the rules dealing with the landing system, standards, runway, vaulting poles or vaulter

38. Points of Emphasis – Games Committee Responsibilities  Games committees need to have an understanding of policies or procedures that may have been established by their respective state association office  The games committee does not have the authority to set aside or revise policies or procedures  In having the authority to determine aspects of meet management and operation, all determinations must be communicated to the coaches, officials and teams participating prior to the start of any competition Any determinations made after the competition has begun, must be due to an unforeseen unusual situation

39. Points of Emphasis – Contestant/Competitor  The status of athletes, as either contestants or competitors, directly affects the application of some rules and the penalties for violation of those rules  Entry – Athlete and/or relay team submitted by entry deadline established by games committee, to be entered in the meet  Contestant – Any athlete entered in the meet by the established deadline  Competitor – Contestant who reports for an event is then a competitor

40. Points of Emphasis – Application of “Design of Uniform” for Relays and Cross Country  Rules 4-3 (Track Relay Teams) and 9-6 (Cross Country Team) require team members to be wearing uniforms of the same “design”  “Design” refers to a pattern of colors used in the uniform  Both relay teams and cross country teams are competing as a team similar to a volleyball or basketball team  Uniforms being worn must be able to clearly identify the competitor, at a glance, as a member of a certain team

41. Points of Emphasis – Application of “Design of Uniform” for Relays and Cross Country  Example: Three team members are wearing singlets with a white body and a red diagonal stripe 4 inches in width, the remaining team member(s) must also wear a white singlet of the same design with a red diagonal 4-inch stripe It would not be legal for the remaining member(s) to wear a white singlet with a vertical 4-inch stripe The use of the same colors, but arranged in a different pattern is not of the same design

42. Points of Emphasis – Application of “Design of Uniform” for Relays and Cross Country  Design and style should not be confused Style – all colors and design are the same when required by rule Length, cut of uniform, etc. could be different  For officials to fairly and consistently identify the runners and team to which they belong, all rules regarding design shall be followed

43. Points of Emphasis – Application of “Design of Uniform” for Relays and Cross Country  Examples of style: Team members are in black uniform top and black uniform bottom – traditional shorts One member wears knee length black uniform bottom - LEGAL style Team members are in one piece black uniform One team member wears black shorts over the one piece uniform - LEGAL style When the shorts were added, the legs of the one piece became visible undergarments

44. 2010 Rule Interpretations

45. Rule Interpretation Visible Undergarments  Are visible undergarments displaying seams stitched on the outside of the garment in a visible contrasting color to the undergarment legal or illegal beginning with the 2010 season? Contrasting color of seams makes garment more than a single color Illegal

46. Rule Interpretation Rule 7-2-11  SITUATION: The games committee approves the use of a bungee cord during warm-ups for the pole vault. The bungee cord to be used is supplied by the host school as it is one manufactured specifically for use in the pole vault and for the standards used in the competition. RULING: Correct procedure. COMMENT: In order to use a bungee cord for warm- ups, it must be approved by the games committee and manufactured for this use in track and field. If for some reason the hosting site does not allow the use of bungee cords on their equipment, the games committee should honor this policy.

47. NFHS Track and Field Pre-Meet Notes NFHS Track and Field Pre-Meet Notes is 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 is now available online http://www.nfhs.org/track.aspx

48. 2010 TRACK & FIELD  Larry Mollring – lmollring@nsaahome.org  Tom Millsap – tmillsap@nsaahome.org