High School Track and Field Rules Changes Address Reducing Risk of Injury in Throwing Events

Two revisions in field events rules focused on reducing risk of injury highlight changes in high school track and field rules for the 2027 outdoor season.

The two field events rules were among four revisions recommended by the NFHS Track and Field Rules Committee at its meeting last month in Indianapolis. All changes were subsequently approved by the NFHS Rules Review Committee and NFHS Board of Directors.

In an effort to reduce risk of injury during warmups in the shot put and discus, all attempts now must be made from inside the circle and facing the sector. No backward, over-the-head attempts will be allowed.

The committee noted that warm-up attempts by athletes standing on the toe board with their backs to the sector are dangerous because competitors cannot see if the area is clear before throwing the implement. With the rule change next year, a clear line of sight will be available to make sure the landing area is safe prior to an attempt. 

Another safety-related change approved by the committee addresses the growing use of foreign substances on shoes in the throwing events. Language has been revised to provide coaches and officials with clearer guidance.

“Overall, the top priority for the rules committee is always the safety and well-being of the student-athletes, and this year’s committee meeting reflected that continued commitment,” said Julie Cochran, NFHS director of sports and middle schools and liaison to the Track and Field Rules Committee. “The rules committee continues to focus on minimizing risk in throws events and warm-ups to ensure a safer competitive environment. Overall, this was a highly productive meeting where the committee successfully balanced safety with practical rules revisions.”

The Track and Field Rules Committee also approved a revision in a rule change made last year in the vertical jumps, as well as a revision that provides games committees more flexibility in reporting for field events.  

A complete listing of the track and field rules changes will be available on the NFHS website at www.nfhs.org. Click on “Sports” at the top of the home page and select “Track & Field” and then “Rules.” The print version of the 2027 Track and Field and Cross Country Rules Book will be available for purchase in October at www.NFHS.com, and the digital version will be available in October via NFHS Digital at www.NFHS.org. 

According to the 2024-25 NFHS High School Athletics Participation Survey, outdoor track and field is the most popular sport for girls with a total of 513,808 participants in 17,373 schools, and it is the second-most popular sport for boys with a total of 644,235 participants in 17,390 schools across the country.