ELECTRONIC DEVICES - In National Federation rules, the determination of allowed electronic devices lies directly with the games committee. In general, the NFHS rules do not completely eliminate the use of personal electronic devices by coaches, contestants or officials. However, the games committee can completely prohibit the use of any electronic devices. The NFHS rules do prohibit the use of wireless communication devices, other than the official communication equipment, unless approved by the games committee. The use of any wireless device to communicate performance or technique information, including pictures, between coaches and student athletes is prohibited.
OBSERVED VIOLATION REPORTING PROCEDURES - There is a defined procedure for umpires/event judges to follow when reporting observed violations. The umpire/event judge should report the observed violation to the head umpire or field referee/head field judge. The report must include complete information regarding the observed violation. The individual or school must be positively identified at the time of the observed violation and specific details of the rule violation must be reported. The head umpire or field referee/head field judge will evaluate the information and if merited report the observed violation to the referee. The referee will evaluate the information and make a determination if a disqualification is warranted. The referee will notify or cause to be notified, the competitor or the competitor’s coach, of the disqualification.
STARTER’S PISTOL - In some states, by state law, and for all practical purposes, on any school property, pistols used for starting purposes should be disabled from being able to discharge live rounds of ammunition. When using a gun for the starting device, starting pistols are now, required by rule, to be a closed barrel starting pistol, incapable of discharging a live round. Track and field and cross country starters should cease using any caliber pistol that is capable of firing live ammunition.
EQUIPMENT FAILURE - Competitors shall not be penalized if their performance is affected by the malfunction of meet equipment. When equipment, such as jumping event standards or timing devices, malfunctions and a competitor’s performance or advancement is affected, the competitor should be allowed an additional trial or opportunity. It is important meet officials inspect equipment before competition and have meet management correct any problems. Once competition begins, officials should be cognizant that there could be equipment malfunction.
POLE VAULT - National Federation rules include specific requirements on the pole. Making physical alterations to the pole may change the manufacturer’s pole rating, thus making the pole illegal. Poles shall not be shortened or altered in any manner.
Coach’s education is an important element of pole vaulting. Competitors need detailed and specific instruction regarding vaulting techniques. Increased performance height, and new vaulting techniques require pole vault coach professional development.
UNDERGARMENTS - The design and style of undergarments is constantly changing. The Track and Field and Cross Country Rules Committee has reaffirmed the requirements of Rule 4, Section 3, Art. 1, d., Rule 4, Section 3, Art. 2, b., and Rule 9-6-1b(8). Items displaying seams stitched on the outside of the garment in a visible contrasting color to the undergarment will be illegal beginning with the 2009-2010 school year. The one year exemption is a result of a previous interpretation approved by the committee and distributed by the National Federation. There are undergarments available for purchase, by schools and athletes, not in compliance with NFHS uniform rules. Coaches must be aware of the rule requirements when purchasing undergarments, and must inform students, who are purchasing their own competitive undergarments, of the rules to avoid non-compliance.
RULE ENFORCEMENT THROUGHOUT THE SEASON – The NFHS Track and Field Rules Committee has worked hard to provide a code of rules and interpretations that are the foundation for creating fair and equitable competition for all student participants. However, the creation of these rules is only one-third of the formula for success – only one leg of a three-legged stool that must always be balanced to provide fairness for all.
Successful meets require a core of knowledgeable workers. The development of individuals who are knowledgeable about track and field rules is the second leg of the stool. While some states have registered officials groups, in most states athletic directors and track and field coaches recruit volunteers from parent and community groups as well as school faculty members to assist with officiating responsibilities at interscholastic meets. Therefore, it falls to these track and field leaders to educate the numerous individuals who are necessary to run a successful meet. School administrators and their track and field coaches should obtain a copy of the three NFHS track and field publications – the rules book, case book and the officials manual. Once volunteers have been secured, they should be provided with the NFHS rules materials so that they can become knowledgeable of and familiar with the NFHS rules and interpretations prior to a meet. The committee suggests that training seminars also be held to develop the familiarity with the rules so that events are run by the rules and fair competition is provided all student participants.
The third leg of the stool is the actual management of the meet. The NFHS Officials Manual provides a simple, yet thorough, description of each worker’s responsibility whether volunteer or registered official. The mission of each worker should be fairness to all participants. That fairness starts with making sure that all timing, marks and judgments are made by workers who understand the rules.
Well run regular-season meets ensure that, as student participants progress toward postseason competition, they will be involved in meets that have a knowledgeable work force. There is little that is more frustrating for coaches, administrators, state association staff and student participants and their parents when participants are disqualified during a postseason meet even though they were allowed to compete during the regular season wearing an illegal uniform, using an improper technique or using illegal equipment.
Keeping fairness to each participant at the core, will ensure that meets are run consistently and fairly. Rules, educating coaches, participants and workers about those rules, and properly managing events keeps the three-legged stool properly balanced, which creates a winning combination for all.