GE2303

ATHLETICS: ETIQUTTES, RULES AND REGULATIONS

Etiquette and Safety Precautions

Running is fundamentally straightforward: you
just put one foot in front of the other and
shuffle along. When several runners are
congregated in one area, as at a running track,
things can get slightly more challenging.
Without having to slow down for traffic or path
tree roots, it allows you to focus on your
running form and pace. Many tracks have
unique coatings that give your footfall more
spring and reduce impact forces. Changing up
your routines is always useful, so going to the
track a few times a month can only help you get
stronger. The track is open to all runners; it is
not just for the best of them.

ETIQUETTE
1. Move around the track counterclockwise.
The most crucial piece of advice is to always run in a counterclockwise (or anticlockwise) direction. You could
be tempted to begin running in the direction that appeals to you the most at the time if the track is empty
when you arrive, but always make an effort to run counterclockwise. To minimize collisions, it is preferable
to go counterclockwise unless everyone is already going in that direction when you arrive.
2. When running, stay in the inside lane.
People who are running should stay in the innermost lane, which is the lane to the left when moving
counterclockwise. Even if you’re traveling slowly, you can use this lane. Be sure to shift to the outer lanes
when it’s time to relax or take a stroll so that running traffic can pass.
3. Pay attention to other runners at all times.
The track is a common area. Always be mindful of the other runners to show your community the respect it
merits. Be careful not to cut off another runner when entering or leaving a lane. As you go around, keep an
ear out for any pursuing runners and keep an eye out for their whereabouts. Wearing headphones can make
it harder to pay attention to other runners.
4. Move carefully and pass politely.
Faster runners will pass on the right because active runners will be using the innermost lane and moving
counterclockwise. When they reenter the inside lane, they must be careful not to cut off or frighten the
slower runner. The quicker runner will cry “Track!” or “Excuse me!” as they approach if they want to stay in
the innermost lane, at which point the slower runner must move to the right.
5. Don’t completely stop moving.
While collapsing on the track after winning an Olympic event is typical, doing so after a routine session at a
neighborhood track is unacceptable. Lanes are for people who are moving. Move to a suitable spot off to the
side when you must completely halt. Also, show respect for the area. Avoid taking a quick sleep on the pole
vault pad or a cool bath in the steeplechase water jump.

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SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
Running Exercises
Within the Track
 Dress appropriately and have your jewelry covered or removed.
 Develop a culture of lane discipline.
 Only warm up on the outer lanes.
 Observe any fast-lane setups in your area.
 Conferences should not be held on the track.
 Always keep other track users’ needs in mind.
 When a run is finished, leave the inside lanes.
 Be aware that when it’s damp out, artificial surfaces like grass might be dangerous.
 Typically, the infield is the only area available for throwing practice. Create the routine of never crossing
the infield to go from one side of the track to the other, even when throwing is not happening.

Away from the Track

 Roads are designed for cars; whenever feasible, stay off them.
 Where pathways exist, utilize them unless they are regularly blocked by road intersections, worn out, or
the possibility of weariness increases the risk of foot and ankle injuries.
 Since roads have hard surfaces, stress issues are more likely to occur. Schedule your heavy mileage and
speed work.
 Even when jogging on paved surfaces, face the direction of incoming traffic.
 Wearing anything visible, especially at night, will help you be seen by other runners. A vehicle driver’s
eyesight is frequently hampered even in the daytime when a low, brilliant sun is coming from behind.
 Wear suitable footwear and attire.

Hurdling
 Make sure that any makeshift equipment
being used, especially with beginners, is safe.
 The hurdle top bar needs to be stable.
 Hurdles should be positioned appropriately
for their intended application, with the
counterbalance weights being in the proper
location.
 Don’t approach a hurdle from the landing
side.

Field Events
In horizontal jumps ensure that:
 run-up areas are dry and free of foreign things.
 recesses on the no-jump indicator boards are securely blocked.
 athletic footwear and safety equipment are suitable.
 platforms for skill work are sufficiently large and sturdy for their intended use.
 when the runway is in use, other athletes stay off it.
 all landing zones for the high jump or pole vault should be properly covered with a cover sheet.
 larger jumpers and those who descend from greater heights need the thickest protection.
 those with irregular or lengthy flying parabolas need the most surface area

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 size and density should be appropriate for the purpose for which they are being put.

Throwing Events
Make sure that:
 equipment is properly cared for and preserved.
 the throwing circles’ cages, floors, and rims are secure.
 the cage doors are properly set.
 the throwing circles for the discus, shot put, and hammer are dry and free of external items.
 run-up javelins are dry and free of strange objects.
 appropriate throwing tools are used.
 you never approach the thrower from in front.
 you never engage a thrower while in the cage.
 you never throw toward someone, thus before launching, check to make sure the landing area is clear.
 you never chase after a javelin or run with it.
 you never gather the tool until everyone has thrown it; only then should you gather.
 the javelin should always be carried vertically, pointing forward.
 the javelin should always be pushed into a
vertical posture before being pulled vertically
from the ground.

Running, Jumping, and Throwing Events

RUNNING (TRACK)

The Sprint
The sprint distances, which can be as short as 400
meters, call for a constant high pace. Before the
invention of the crouch starts in the 1880s, all
sprinters started from a standing position.
However, this practice was soon outlawed in
favor of the requirement that sprinters begin with both hands and both feet on the track. The installation of
the movable starting block helped with the sprints’ necessity for a rapid start.

Middle-distance Running
More endurance is required for longer races. The middle-distance events span distances of 800 to 2,000
meters. The 3,000-meter race is categorized as a medium distance by several authorities. Most middle-
distance runners can excel at both shorter and longer distances. These distances are the ones where racing
strategy—including pacing—is more crucial than at any other. The mile is still a glamorous competition even
though it is no longer a championship event.

Long-distance running
The boundary between middle-distance and long-distance runs is a topic of some debate. The marathon,
steeplechase, cross-country, and road runs are among the long-distance competitions that are considered
here; they have 3,000 meters or more. In the longer runs speed becomes even less of a factor, while pace
and endurance become correspondingly more significant. The likelihood of the final burst of speed known as
the “finishing kick” decreases with distance run. Running the long- and middle-distance events together is
also possible.

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In the steeplechase, which consists of a 3,000-meter course with seven (7) water jumps and 28 hurdles, long-
distance running is combined with hurdling. The ability to run the distance is by far the most critical need for
the competition, even though hurdling is a crucial component. Although steeplechase athletes are frequently
experts, there are instances of excellent distance runners who have prevailed over more seasoned hurdlers.

The marathon was a crucial competition at the first modern Olympics in 1896, and it has since developed
into a major draw for the Olympics and other international competitions. The event was first held to honor
the exploits of the Greek soldier, Pheidippides, who is said to have run from Marathon to Athens in 490 BC
to deliver the word of the Greek triumph over the Persians (Battle of Marathon)—he promptly died of
exhaustion. The marathon, spanning 26.22 miles (42,186 meters), is the longest event at the track meet.

Hurdling
Hurdling competitions mix sprinting with navigating several hurdles. Men cross 10 barriers that are 9.14
meters (10 yards) apart and 106.7 cm (42 inches) high as they run over 110-meter-high hurdles. There are 10
hurdles in the 400-meter intermediate hurdles, but they are 35 meters (38.29 yards) apart and 91.4 cm (36
inches) tall. Today, women compete in both the 400-meter and 100-meter hurdle races. A hurdler is
penalized if he/she goes outside of his/her lane or uses his/her hands to knock over hurdles, even though
he/she is
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allowed to clear any number of obstacles. The idea is to keep moving forward by making the hurdling motion
rhythmic and smooth.

Relays
Each of the four (4) runners on each team carries
the baton for a quarter of the distance before
handing it to the following runner. Standard
competitions include the 4 x 100- and 4 x 400-
meter relays. They are included in IAAF World
Championships, Olympic Games, and low-level
dual meetings. Both races require good passing
skills, but the shorter event, where each runner
crosses 100 meters, places a premium on speed.
Changing the baton while moving at a speed of 25
mph gives the contest a suspenseful feel. The
caliber of baton passing has determined the
outcome of several races.

Walking
This activity, often known as race walking, is unimportant. Other than in international and Olympic
competitions, it is rarely featured in track meets. While different distances are used in individual contests,
the Olympic competition takes place over 20,000 and 50,000 meters.

JUMPING (FIELD)
High Jump
There is only one fundamental guideline for high jumping: the jumper must only lift one (1) foot off the
ground, not both. The jumper can compete if he doesn’t miss his first three (3) attempts, which is to clear a
thin bar balanced between two (2) standards. As the bar is raised to higher levels, jumpers are permitted to
enter the competition at any height above the minimum height. Dirt and sawdust landing pits have been
replaced by inflatable or foam-rubber ones. Because jumpers frequently land on their necks and shoulders,
the current pits are useful.

The eastern cut-off, western roll, straddle, and belly roll were all jumping maneuvers that were developed in
the 20th century before the Fosbury flop. The flop, so named for its creator, American Olympic champion
Dick Fosbury, involves approaching straight ahead, spinning on takeoff, and falling over headfirst with the
back to the bar.

Pole Vault
Pole-vaulting is performed similarly to high jumping; vaulters aim to clear a crossbar mounted on uprights,
have three (3) attempts at each height, and land in a concrete or inflated pit. A pole-wielding vaulter travels
around 45 meters (150 feet) down a runway. The vaulter leaves the ground and pushes himself up until
he/she is nearly doing a handstand on the pole after placing the end of the pole in a box that is sunk below
ground level. He/She turns as he/she gets close to the crossbar and leans over it facedown, feet first.

The early poles were bulky and heavy because they were made of solid ash, cedar, or hickory. The bamboo
pole gained popularity soon after its 1904 introduction. Records established with bamboo continued to
stand
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until 1957 when they were replaced by records set with aluminum and steel poles, which were then
followed by records set with fiberglass poles in the 1960s.

Long Jump
The simplest field event is long jumping, formerly known as broad jumping. The key component for a
successful jump is speed. Jumpers approach the takeoff area at almost top speed, place their foot on the
takeoff board, and launch themselves into the air. No portion of the forward foot may protrude over the
board during a jump. The most common form of long jumping is known as the “hitch-kick,” in which the
runner appears to be walking through the air.

Triple Jump
Previously called the hop, step, and jump, this maneuver entails three (3) separate movements. While a little
slower than long jumpers, the jumper descends the runway and leaps from a takeoff board. In the first part,
the jumper performs a hop while landing on the same foot that he launched himself with. He follows that
with a step, lands on the opposite foot, and ends by leaping into the sand pit.

THROWING (FIELD)
Shot Put
Since the arm is not allowed to reach behind
the shoulders during the putting motion, the
action is best described as shoving the shot.
The metal shot is shaped like a globe. The
men’s shot measures 110–130 mm (4.3–5.1
inches) in diameter and weighs 7.26 kg (16
pounds). Women throw a 4-kg (8.82-pound)
shot with a diameter of 95–110 mm (3.7–4.3
inches). The putter must gather momentum
for the put by making a quick twisting motion
since the shot must be launched from inside
a ring that is
2.135 meters (7 feet) in diameter.

The biggest shot-putters in track and field weigh between 250 and 300 pounds (113 to 136 kg), making them
among the biggest athletes in the sport. Weight training started to take center stage in shot putters’ training
regimens in the 1950s.

Discus Throw
Many people view discus throwing as the most iconic athletic event because Homer, a Greek poet, made
references to it in the eighth century BC. Male athletes today toss a 2-kg (4.4-pound) plate-like object from a
circle that is 2.5 meters (8.2 feet) in diameter. After the thrower has made one and a half full rounds around
the circle starting at the back, the discus is released. The female discus is 1 kg (2.2 pounds) in weight.

Hammer Throw
The tool used in the hammer throw is not a traditional hammer, but rather a metal ball with a minimum
diameter of 110 mm (4.3 inches) and a minimum length of 1,175 mm (46.3 inches), and a weight of 7.2 kg
(16 pounds). The thrower grasps the handle at the end of the wire opposite the ball and releases it after
three or four (3-4) body revolutions, at which point the maximum centrifugal force has been created. The
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throwing

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circle for the discus is a little bit smaller. The 1990s saw the introduction of women’s hammer throw into
international competition. Women’s hammers are a little bit smaller and weigh no less than 4 kg (8.8
pounds).

Javelin Throw
Javelin throwing involves tossing a spear-like
object over the shoulder after an approach
run. It is a direct offshoot of the spear-
throwing competitions that were first featured
in the 708 BC Olympics. The men’s javelin
must be at least 260 cm (8.5 ft) long and weigh
800 grams (1.8 pounds). The minimum weight
and length requirements for the women’s
javelin are 600 grams (1.3 pounds) and 220 cm
(7.2 ft), respectively. It is the sole throwing
competition without a circle. A valid throw of
the javelin necessitates a point-first landing
rather than sticking.

Throwers started using a javelin in 1985 that would shorten their throws by 9 to 12 meters (30 to 40 feet) at
the same weight. After many world records put the women’s javelin close to 80 meters (262.5 feet) in the
late 1980s, the design was altered.

DECATHLON & HEPTATHLON

The 10-event decathlon for men and the seven- (7) event heptathlon for women, which replaced the
previous pentathlon, are both multi-event events in which both men and women compete. The two- (2) day
events, which are competitions, are primarily held at international meets and national championships. They
are also scheduled for several college conference championships in the U.S. Each athlete receives points for
their participation in each event, with higher marks earning more points. The athlete who accrues the most
points overall wins.

Officiating, Rules, and Regulations in Athletics Meet

TECHNICAL OFFICIALS

 Meet Director: Responsible for the general organization of the athletics Meet, including coordination
with the host school or local government, and all Meet officials and participants.
 Head Referee: Responsible for the enforcement of the rules and interpretations in the case of conflicts
or judgment calls in each track and field event.
 Clerk of the Course: Responsible for checking in all athletes before their event starts, giving instructions
about the rules, and answering questions. The Clerk coordinates with the Timers about who is
participating in each track and field event.
 Starter: Includes both the Head Starter as well as a second False Start Judge. Responsible for organizing
the athletes at the starting line for all running events, answering any last-minute questions, and then
starting the races.
 Finish Line: Responsible for recording the finish of the individual athletes that have completed the
running events.
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 Timing: Set up the Timing Shed at the finish line and all the electronic equipment that records the start
and finish of all running events.
 Recording: Responsible for downloading all the Finish information from the Timers, organizing it, keeping
a running score, and publishing the results. All the records are uploaded online or printed for coaches
and others to access.
 Running Officials: Responsible for watching lane infractions, the finish line, judging and moving hurdles,
and observing relay handoffs in running events.
 Throwing Judges: Responsible for officiating the shot put, discus, hammer, and javelin-throwing events.
They are run at the same time with the Male and Female alternating their events.
 Jumping Events: Responsible for working at either the high jump, pole vault, long jump, or triple jump pits.

ATHLETICS EVENTS/ DISCIPLINES

Endurance events are longer distance running events/ races which take place mostly away from an athletics
stadium. They are usually categorized as Cross-country, Trail, or Road Running. Fell and Mountain Running
would not normally be included.
 Officials, stewards, and marshals are needed at the start, along the course, and at the finish line.
 At the starting line, the Starter and Starter’s Assistants ensure a fair and orderly start to the races.
 Along the course, officials and Marshals are there to guide the competitors, ensure their safety, and
make sure the rules are followed.
 At the finish line, officials are there to ensure a fair and orderly finish, take the times, check the finishing
order, and ensure a safe and prompt exit from the finish area. Positions and time may be determined
manually or by a computerized system.
 Race Walking outside of a stadium needs the same officials and Specialist walking judges to ensure that
the style of walking follows the rules.

Field events are the application of a set of rules to

ensure that all athletes competing get the same
chance, thereby ensuring that the results are
purely dependent upon their ability, and not
influenced by others. In short, ensuring a “Level
Playing Field”.

 The rules have evolved over several decades

and even now are still subject to change as
equipment manufacture improves, and/or
athletes’ abilities improve with new training
techniques.

 Judging is, in all cases, subjective and comes from experience. Judges must therefore have a clear
understanding of the rules that apply to each event and so ensure that each competitor competes under
the same conditions.
 The application of the rules for both men’s and women’s events rests with the judges in charge of an
event
and is overseen by a Field Referee.
 Field judges would help with marking where the throwing implements land, returning implements back
to the competition area after they have been thrown, measuring and recording distances or heights,

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ensuring the rules for each event are adhered to, and ensuring the competition is conducted fairly and
safely.

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Track event athletes spend many hours of

effort and training in all sorts of conditions to
improve personal performance. The progress
of achievement by a track athlete can
realistically only be measured by the time it
takes to travel a measured distance and
therefore it should be the duty of those who
record their positions and times to be as
accurate as possible.

 Judging the Finish (including operating the

Lap Board and Bell and maintaining Lap Charts)
or Umpiring.

 Writing down the athletes’ numbers as they cross the Finish Line.
 Ensures that all equipment for the Track events is available and safe and these include such items as the
judge’s stand, hurdles, lap board and bell, relay batons and flags, wind gauge, etc.
 Track Steward maintains the seeding sheets, records the result, liaises with the Timekeepers’ Steward to
record the times, and liaises with the photo finish and Referee on any changes to results.
 The Track Referee oversees all Track events, allocates duties to the Judges/Umpires, decides the result in
case of any difference of opinion, and deals with any disputes.
 Umpire will need to be aware of all the rules related to Track Running and the action one needs to take if
an infringement is observed.
 Check that athletes do not stray from their lanes; in 800m and 4 x 400m relay races, oversee the Break
Line; identify Obstruction; report infringements in hurdles races and steeplechase events; officiate at
relay take-overs; operate the Wind gauge.

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