Publisher’s Note: The National Federation of State High School Associations is the only source of official high school interpretations. They do not set aside nor modify any rule. They are made and published by the NFHS in response to situations presented.
Roert F. Kanaby, Publisher, NFHS Publications © 2010
Corrections to Rules Book: Page 70, Rule 10-2-2, second sentence should be shaded.
Corrections to Case Book and Manual: None
SITUATION 1: In the girls varsity meet, the first section of the 800-meter run started using alleys with 10 runners on a nine-lane track. The second section has nine runners and will also be started with alleys. RULING: Correct procedure. COMMENT: All heats and sections shall use the same starting configuration for an event within the meet. (5-6-3)
SITUATION 2: A boys and a girls meet will be contested on the same date at the same location and time. Due to the number of entries in each meet, the girls competition is scheduled in certain races to use an alley starting configuration while the boys are scheduled to use lanes as their starting configuration in the same races. RULING: Correct procedure. COMMENT: The starting configuration need only be the same within the same meet for the same event(s). Although being held at the same site, the boys meet is a different meet from the girls meet. Therefore, a different starting configuration could be used from one meet to the other. (5-6-3)
SITUATION 3: At the coaches meeting prior to the start of the meet, the coaches are informed that the starting configuration for all heats and sections within a specific event shall be the same. RULING: Correct procedure. COMMENT: Regardless of whether a heat or section, the starting configuration for all competition for a specific event shall be the same in the meet. (5-5-6, 5-6-3)
STIUATION 4: The competitor in the pole vault, working with the event judges, has requested the standards at a specific setting. The vaulter completes his/her vault by (a) clearing the crossbar and (b) brushing the crossbar and knocking it off. When recording the result of the vault, it is discovered the event judges had set the standards incorrectly. RULING: In (a), the vaulter is credited with a successful attempt. In (b), the vaulter receives a replacement attempt and the vault with the incorrect standard placement is not counted as an attempt. COMMENT: In this situation, an official’s error in setting the standards that impacts performance should be corrected and the competitor given the opportunity for a replacement attempt. (7-5-29)
SITUATION 5: The crossbar in the pole vault has been incorrectly set by the officials for A1 and is 3 inches higher than it should have been set. A1 attempts this height unaware of the error and clears the crossbar. The officials discover the error following the vault and, following consultation with the referee, (a) record the vault as a successful attempt and credit at the height the crossbar should have been set, or (b) credit the attempt at the actual setting even though incorrect in the designated height. RULING: Correct procedure in (a) and incorrect procedure in (b). COMMENT: When unusual situations occur that may not specifically be covered within the rules, the ultimate responsibility for a reasonable solution within the rules rests with the referee under Rule 3-4-6. Depending upon the situation and circumstances, the referee must rule in a fair and equitable manner within the spirit of the rules and for all competitors involved. (7-5-29, 3-4-6)
SITUATION 6: Following B1’s attempt and clearance of the crossbar in pole vault, it is discovered that the crossbar for only B1 was not placed at the new height. After discussion and consultation of event rules with the referee, B1 is told the attempt at the lower height shall not count as a successful trial and shall not be counted as an attempt. A replacement vault at the corrected height shall be provided to the vaulter. RULING: Correct procedure. COMMENT: The referee has the authority and responsibility under Rules 5-6-3 and 3-4-6 to resolve these types of situations. The solution from meet to meet may not always be the same due to the individual circumstances at that meet. (7-5-29, 5-6-3)