Lesson 3

Equipment and
Facilities
1. The Athletics Equipment
 Starting Blocks
• Starting blocks are a device used
in the sport of track and field by
sprint athletes to hold their feet at
the start of a race so they don't slip
as they push out at the sound of
the gun.
• For most levels of competition,
including all high level International
competition, starting blocks are
now mandatory equipment for the
start of sprint races.
 Spikes Shoes
• Spikes Shoes or Track and Field Spikes,
are pointed protrusions usually made of
metal, ceramic or plastic that are
screwed into the bottom of most track
and field shoes to increase traction and
minimize the likelihood of slipping.
• The term "spikes" can also refer to track
shoes featuring such protrusions.
• Spikes are similar to studs which are
used for team sports, although generally
smaller and with a sharp point.
 Baton
• The relay baton shall be a smooth
hollow tube, a circular in section,
made of wood, metal or any other
rigid material in one piece, the length
of which shall be 280 to 300mm.
• The outside diameter shall be 40mm
and it shall not weigh less than 50g.
• It shall be colored so as to be easily
visible during race.
 Track hurdle

• The hurdles shall be made of metal or some other suitable

material with the top bar of wood or other suitable material.
• They shall consist of two feet and two uprights to be fixed at
the extreme end of its base.
 Discus disc / plate

Discus disc is an equipment in

discus throw weighing 2kg for men,
1kg for women, that is 22cm in
diameter for men, and 18cm for
women.
 Shot
Shot is a heavy spherical object used
in adult men's shot put competition
and weighs 16 pounds, or 7.26
kilograms, while the shot used in
women's competition typically weighs
8.8 pounds, or four kilograms.
 Javelin
• A metal or metal-tipped spear
thrown for distance in track and
field competitions.
• The men’s javelin must weigh at
least 800g and be 2.6m-2.7m long
while the women’s javelin must
weigh 600g and be 2.2m-2.3m
long.
Hammer iron

A heavy steel ball attached

with a long wire (maximum
length 122cm) to a handle
weighing 16lb/7.26kg for men,
4kg for women.
2. The Athletics Facilities
 2. The Athletics Facilities

• Any firm, uniform surface, which conforms to the

specifications in the World Athletics Facilities Manual,
may be used for Track and Field Athletics.
• Outdoor competitions may be held only on facilities that
hold an World Athletics Class 1 Athletics Facility
Certificate.
• It is recommended that, when such facilities are
available, outdoor competitions should also be held on
this facility.
 a. The track
• Outdoor and indoor running
tracks are oval in shape and
usually are laid in a stadium.
• Older tracks consist of dirt or
cinders, but most new tracks
are made of waterproof
synthetic material and can be
used in rainy weather.
• The length of a standard running track shall be 400m.
• It shall consist of two parallel straights and two bends whose radii
shall be equal.
• The distance of the race shall be measured from the edge of the
start line farther from the finish to the edge of the finish line nearer
to the start.
• In all races up to and including 400m, each athlete shall have a
separate lane, with a width of 1.22m, including the lane line on the
right, marked by white lines 50mm in width.
• All lanes shall be of the same nominal width.
• In international Competitions the track should allow for eight lanes
minimum.
• Runners must stay in their lanes for all races up to 400 meters and
until they pass the first curve of 800 meter races.
 b. The field
• Most field events take place in an
area enclosed by the track.
• But in some meetings one or more
throwing events are held outside the
stadium to protect other athletes and
spectators who crowd the fields.
• The field includes runways for the
jumping events.
• It also has circular areas of
materials, such as concrete or
asphalt for most of the throwing
events.