posted Aug 11, 2016, 9:10 AM by Paul Williams
[
updated Aug 11, 2016, 9:11 AM
]
|
NFHS has released the 2017 track and field rules changes and rationales. The NFHS 2017 Rule changes are also available at http://nfhs.org/media/1017125/2017-major-rules-changes-with-rationales-final.pdf
2017 Track and Field
Rules Changes
|
3-2-4u New
|
Places the responsibility of
providing liquids during competition on the games committee, not the individual
coaches.
Rationale: The games committee should have responsibility for providing
liquids during the race and not leave up to each coach.
|
3-6-1
3-4-7
|
The signal at the
beginning of the last lap in individual races now occurs in race distances of
two laps or more.
Rationale: Signifying with a bell with one
lap remaining in the 800 alerts timers, place judges and FAT operators on
notice, builds excitement for spectators and is a positive signal for the
competitors. Updates to current trends in the sport.
|
3-6-1
|
Clarifies that a runner
is disqualified by the starter when charged with a false start.
Rationale: The authority to disqualify a
runner for a false start should be extended by rule to the starter as well as
the referee.
|
3-10-7
|
Clarifies the mechanics
used to confirm the result of an attempt when flags are not utilized by
calling “fair” or “foul”.
Rationale: Clarifies field event judge’s
protocol for signifying the performance result when flags are not being
utilized.
|
4-3-1b(5)
9-6-1b(4)
|
Allows the placement of
one American flag on each item of uniform apparel and deletes NOTE restricting
flag placement.
Rationale: Remove NOTE limiting the placement
of the American flag to one piece of uniform apparel as this is contradictory
to the rule.
|
4-6-5g New
|
Adds receiving physical
aid by any other person during a race to the list of unfair acts of assisting
a competitor.
Rationale: The rule should include coverage
of the actions of competitors and nonparticipating team members as well as
assistance/aid from other parties.
|
4-6-5d, New e
9-7
|
A participant assisting
an injured/ill competitor when an appropriate health-care professional is not
available is no longer disqualified.
Rationale: Although uncommon that appropriate
health-care professionals are not available to assist an injured/ill
competitor, there may be occasions when a competitor is needing assistance to
confirm his/her health status or to arrive to a location for health care.
Should another competitor assist, such competitor shall not be disqualified,
only the assisted competitor shall be disqualified for not completing the
race unassisted. Reorganize rule to indicate why competitor is disqualified.
|
5-1-3
|
Establishes the
location and spacing of cones, when used, in the absence of a curb.
Rationale: In the absence of a curb, the
placement of cones ensures the competitors run the prescribed race distance.
|
5-6-4
|
Deletes the requirement
of separating competitors from the same team if they were to be in the same
heat in the first round of competition.
Rationale: The results of running events are
based on head-to-head competition and all contestants should have the
opportunity to compete in the heat earned by the athlete’s place and/or
qualifying times. Consistent with current trends in the sport. |
5-7-3
|
Competitors in distance
races (800m and greater distances) use only a standing start, remaining
motionless for the start without their hand(s) touching the ground.
Rationale: Consistent with current trends in
the sport. Reinforces the concept that distance races (800, 1600 or 3200)
only use a standing start.
|
Rules 6 and 7
|
Reorganizes rules 6 and
7 into one rule “Field Events” to avoid duplicity in the rules, remove
unnecessary language, be more concise in the presentation of the events rules
and create a section on general rules for all field events.
Rationale: To combine all of the field event
rules into one rule thereby eliminating the possibility of making a change in
the throws and missing it in the jumps. Also eliminates duplication of
definitions in the rules and unnecessary language.
|
6-2-14
7-2-5
|
Warm-ups in a field
event shall not take place until the venue is declared open by the meet
director and required supervision is in place. Once competition begins,
except as scheduled, competitors shall not use venues or implements
associated with the competition for warm-ups.
Rationale: For purposes of risk management,
warm-ups in a field event may not take place until the venue is declared open
and required supervision is in place. For further risk minimization for
athletes, spectators, and officials involved in the event, athletes should be
prohibited from picking up an implement and doing turns while other
competitors are completing their throws or using the runway during the
competition unless they have been called for their attempt.
|
6-2-17
|
Includes how trials are
recorded when a legal implement breaks during competition within the rule and
deletes as a NOTE.
Rationale: Clarifies how trials are recorded
when a legal implement breaks during competition. More appropriate to list
within rule rather than a NOTE.
|
6-5-9e
|
Clarifies that it is a
foul if a competitor touches the top or end of the stopboard before leaving
the circle.
Rationale: The top or sides of the stopboard
are outside of the ring and touching outside of the ring is not compliant
with leaving from the back half of the circle and is a foul.
|
8-2-1
|
Special events which
may be included in the order of competition shall be conducted under USATF
Youth event rules unless state association policy determines otherwise.
Rationale: The NFHS rules allow several
special events to be added to the order of events but no specific event rules
are written. By utilizing USATF Youth event rules there are standard rules
which are age appropriate. However, state associations may already have
appropriate rules in place and this should be an option stated in the rules. |
9-1-3b
|
Clarifies that
directional sign posts can be used with or in place of directional flags in
cross country.
Rationale: Clarifies that either directional
flags and/or sign posts shall be used in cross country.
|
10-2-2
3-17-2
|
Clarifies where to
place the wind gauge in the horizontal jumps when there are
multiple takeoff boards
used in the competition.
Rationale: Officials need guidance as to
where to place the wind gauge when there are multiple takeoff boards. As the
rule is currently written, it implies either having to move the wind gauge
between jumps or having a second gauge. As the better jumpers will most
likely use the farther board, it is logical to have the wind gauge at the
location furthest from the pit.
|
|
|
|
2017 Major Editorial
Changes
|
3-4-4
|
Clarifies the referee
has the sole authority for ruling on irregularities not covered within the
rules.
|
7-4-8
|
Clarifies the three
consecutive passed heights must take place before the competitor attempts a
jump.
|
7-5-15
|
Clarifies when the two
minutes of warm-up jumps are permitted when a competitor has passed three
consecutive heights with no attempted jump.
|
|
|
|
2017 Editorial
Changes
4-6-1 NOTE 1, 4-6-1
NOTE 2, 5-10-9, 5-10-11, 7-5-11, 7-6-10f
|
|
|
|
2017 Points of
Emphasis
1. Sportsmanship
2. Heat Acclimatization and Preventing Heat Illness 3. Use of Rubber Discus
in Practice and Competition 4. NFHS Track and Field Uniform Regulations |
|
|