2007 Track and Field Points of Emphasis

1. CENTER OF GRAVITY (MASS) FOR THE JAVELIN: The balance point of the javelin is located within the section where the whip cord (grip) is located. The whipcord is required to be placed over the point of the center of gravity (mass) for the javelin. If proper placement of the whipcord does not occur, the flight of the javelin as intended for competition is affected.

2. ENTRY AND EXIT OF THROWING CIRCLE IN SHOT PUT AND DISCUS: Competitors in the shot put and discus events must meet certain requirements to have a valid throw. One area of the requirements pertains to exiting the throwing circle. The competitor may enter the throwing circle from any direction. However, at completion of the throw the competitor 1) must be under control before exiting the back half of the circle; 2) must wait to leave the circle until the implement has landed and the judge calls, "Mark;" and 3) must exit from the back half of the circle. (When conducted, these same requirements apply to the hammer throw.)

3. UNIFORMS: The ultimate responsibility for each athlete to be in a legal uniform rests with the coach and the individual athlete. Rules 4-3 and 9-6 state the uniform requirements and restrictions for track and field and cross country. Coaches must stress to the student-athletes that the uniform shall be worn as intended by the manufacturer. Failure to properly wear the uniform will result in a penalty.

4. GAMES COMMITTEE AND AUTHORITY ON HEADWEAR AND OTHER NON-UNIFORM ITEMS: The rules for uniforms in track and field and cross country do not prohibit headwear, sunglasses, etc. Each individual site through the games committee [3-2-4(o)] may restrict headwear, certain types of headwear, sunglasses and any other item not a part of the school-issued uniform. In addition, the state association may adopt a statewide policy regarding the wearing of any item(s) in excess of the school-issued uniform. Officials must check with local host management to be certain of any action taken by the games committee which places restrictions on items in excess of the school uniform in order to enforce consistently at the respective venue unless determined otherwise by the state association.

5. ZERO POINT IN POLE VAULT: The zero point will minimize risk in this event by providing an identifiable mark to address crossbar movement, starting point on the runway and proper mat placement. Therefore, it is a critical reference point. The zero point is located at the top of the back of the plant box. It is used to determine the distance the crossbar travels toward the back of the landing surface, the starting point of the runway and to have proper placement of the landing surface.

6. SAFETY IN FIELD EVENTS: An event official should report to the event area at least 30 minutes prior to the scheduled time of the event. Field event areas should be designated as "closed" prior to arrival of such an official. No practice or trials shall be allowed to take place. In throwing events the landing sector should be marked off for safety with ropes, flags or other visible means. Spectators and non-throwing competitors must be restricted to a safe area. The event judge shall announce when the area is safe for a throw to take place and the marking judges are ready. It is also appropriate to rope or flag the runways for all jumping events to keep the runway clear for competitors. Again, the event judge shall acknowledge when the area is clear and judges are ready to mark and record results.

During both practice and competition, implements shall be carried outside the throwing sectors and returned to the throwing area. Implements shall never be thrown back. Following competition, all implements shall be removed from the competition area. Once competition begins there shall be no further practice in any area.

Competitors violating safety rules shall receive a warning, and for a second offense, shall be disqualified from the event. Spectators violating safety rules at the site should be warned once and for a second violation shall be removed from the competition area.

7. SETTING UP 34.92-DEGREE THROWING SECTOR: A 34.92-degree angle is the angle between the two equal sides of an isosceles triangle which has the unequal side 0.6 times the length of the equal sides. It can be mathematically expressed as 2arcsin (0.30). (See Appendix B for typical layout for a shot put circle.) Measure out from the center of the circle with two tapes. Pull the two tapes tight and separate them by 12 meters at the 20-meter mark on each tape. It will take three people and three tapes to do this. One person holds the two tapes which will locate the sector lines in the center of the circle. The second person pulls tight on the sector line tapes and holds the zero mark of the cross measuring tape at the 20 meter mark. The third person pulls tight on the other sector line tape and holds the 12-meter mark of the cross measuring tape at the 20-meter mark. The sector lines are centered on the stopboard and permanent pins or stakes are placed at the ends of the sector lines. The sector lines can be extended if longer throws than the ends for these sector lines (18.93 m) are anticipated.

Sectors for the discus and hammer are set up in a similar manner, keeping the ratio of cross measurement length to sector line length at 0.6. For example, one might use sector lines of 60 m and a cross measurement of 36 m for the discus and 70 m sector lines and a cross measurement of 42 m for the hammer.

Note that the javelin sector is set out in a similar manner, except the sector angle is 28.96 degrees, which is the angle between the two equal sides of an isosceles triangle having the unequal side 0.5 times the length of the equal sides and is mathematically expressed as 2arcsin(0.25).