January 17, 2002

 

 

To: CIF Section Commissioners, Administrators, Track and Field Coaches, and Officials

From: Hal Harkness, CIF Rules Interpreter for Track and Field/Cross Country

Subject: Summary of NFHS Rules Interpreters Meeting, January 15, 2002

 

 

RULE CHANGES

Rule 1-1-2, 9-4-1 (New) A track/cross country teams consists of coaches, contestants, managers, trainers and other associated school personnel.

Rationale: The two additions to the rules specifically identify the members of a Track and Field/Cross Country team.

Rule 2-1-4 (New Event points will be awarded to the opposing team(s) upon the determination, by the referee, that the venue is unacceptable for competition. Points will be totaled and divided equally among the visiting teams. The host team shall receive no points.

Note: If the referee declares that an event(s) cannot be contested, those who were entered in that event(s) are not charged toward their four event limit even though points are awarded to the visiting team(s). They may participate in up to four other events.

Rule 3-4-8 (New) Prior to the start of the meet, the referee shall meet with the head coach(es) and captain(s) and explain that everyone is expected to exhibit good sportsmanship throughout the meet.

Rule 3-6-4 (New) Prior to the start of the meet, the head coach shall be responsible for verifying to the referee/starter that all his/her competitors are properly equipped (uniforms, equipment, and no jewelry) in compliance with these rules. Any questions regarding legality shall be resolved prior the start of the meet.

Rationale: The intent of the two changes serves as a reminder for teams to exhibit good sportsmanship and for coaches to verify that all competitors are legally equipped.

Note: There was considerable discussion as to the feasibility of applying this rule at large championship series meets with coaches/athletes arriving at the meet site over a period of several hours. This rule is designed for true team sports, where all coaches/athletes travel together. It should be strictly enforced during practice/dual and league competitions.

Rule 4-3-7, 9-5-7 (New) Contestants shall not wear jewelry with the exception of religious or medical medals. If such medals are worn, they shall be taped to the body under the uniform.

Rationale: This rule will enhance safety issues and bring track and field/cross country in line with other NFHS rule codes. Approximately 50% of our state associations have enforced a no jewelry rule, and this change will make all state consistent regarding this issue.

Note: Initially, this will be the most controversial of this year’s rule changes. It is sweeping in scope. Athletes while competitors (after reporting to the starting line or field event judge) are forbidden to wear all forms of visible jewelry including bracelets, regardless of material, metal pins/clips or hard plastic barrettes in their hair, rings, earrings or studs, and any type of body piercing. Remember, the operative word here is visible.

However, if a competitor competes with something that is illegal that becomes visible.

during the course of his/her event, he/she can be disqualified from that event

Wrist watches are exempt from this rule, they are considered to be equipment.

Taping over pieces of jewelry is not to be allowed. Jewelry is to be removed completely or an athlete shall not be allowed to compete. The fact that an item cannot be removed or ears were just pierced is not to be considered as an acceptable excuse for compliance.

A medical alert bracelet is permitted if taped to the wrist with the faceplate showing..

Religious medals must be removed from around the neck and taped to the body under the jersey.

Beads tightly woven into hair are allowed, but beads dangling from strands of hair are not.

The penalty for competing while wearing prohibited jewelry is event disqualification.

Rule 4-6-1 (New) For the purposes of determining whether an athlete is a contestant or competitor, a running event or heat begins when the contestants report to the starting line (and become competitors), and is considered to be official and concluded when the places have been determined and the results of been recorded at the finish line.

Rule 4-6-2 (New) A field event is considered official and concluded when the places have been determined and the field event judge has recorded the results.

Rationale: This change will aid the referee and determine the appropriate penalty when a violation occurs prior to or after the conclusion of a running or field event.

Rule 7-2-5 (Change) A competitor shall initiate a trial that is carried to completion in one and one half minutes (1:30) in the pole vault and one minute (1:00) in all other jumping events.

Note: Since an inconsistency was created between time limits for throwing and jumping events, California will apply the same time standards for all field events for 2002.

Rule 7-3-17d, 7-4-29f (Clarification) In the event of a jump off for first place in the high jump/pole vault, each tying competitor shall be awarded an additional attempt (4th) at that height and if all are unsuccessful, the bar shall be lowered in one (1) inch increments in the high jump and in three (3) inch increments in the pole vault.

Rule 9-3-3 new) Once the teams have been called to the starting line by the starter for final instructions, no further run outs shall be permitted.

EDITORIAL CHANGES

Rule 2-1-3 When any apparent place winner is disqualified in an event, lower place winners in that event shall be advanced to fill vacant places, unless the disqualification occurs after the event results have become official.

Rule 4-3-1b (Change) Any visible shirt(s) worn under the jersey and all visible apparel worn under the shorts must be unadorned and of a single (and same) color.

Note: This does not change our existing rule, it only applies if an athlete were to wear two layers of clothing under his/her short or jersey. If more than one layer is worn, all must be the same color. Apparel visible under the jersey need not be the same, single color as apparel visible under the shorts.

 

 

 

 

Rule 4-3-2 (Add) Bare midriff tops are not acceptable. The jersey (singlet) must hang below or be tucked into the waistband of the shorts or briefs when the competitor is standing erect.

Note: The intent of the rule is to insure that jerseys cover the midriff completely when a competitor is standing fully erect before beginning competition.

However, The Games Committee (State Track and Field/Cross Country Advisory Committee) has determined that all jerseys must be tucked into the short prior to competition and the waistband of the shorts shall not be rolled down.

Rule 4-3-3, 9-5-3 (Change) The shoe upper must be designed so that it can be fastened securely to the foot.

Rule 4-5-1 (Add) Unsportsmanlike conduct is behavior which is unethical or dishonorable. It includes, but is not limited to, disrespectfully addressing an official, any flagrant behavior, intentional contact, taunting, criticizing or using profanity directed at someone.

Rule 4-5-7 (Add) If a non-participating team member interferes with a competitor during competition, the non-participating team member may be disqualified from the meet. The non-participant’s teammate(s) may also be disqualified from that event.

Rationale: To clarify that team members other than contestants can be disqualified and/or cause disqualification of teammates.

Rule 5-8-1 (Change) The visible finish line (2 in.) 5.08 cm. wide, shall be marked on the track just outside the measured distance so that its edge near the start is identical with exactly measured and true finish line.

Rationale: To conform with rules for Fully Automatic Timing (FAT).

Rule 5-9-6 (Add) A baton that leaves a runner’s hand inadvertently must be retrieved immediately without interference to other runners.

Rule 6-2-9 (Add) Contestants shall report promptly to the event judge at the designated location, at the scheduled time, or when the event is announced.

Rule 6-3-1 (Add) Each side of the discus shall taper in a straight line from the beginning of the curve or the rim to the edge of the centrally placed metal plate. (Does not have to be brass)

Rule 6-5-3 (Add) If the runway has a synthetic surface, a white painted scratch line 2 3/4 inches (7 cm) may be substituted for the take off board.

Rule 7-3-14 (Add) The measurement shall be from a point on the same level as the takeoff to the lowest point on the upper side of the crossbar. Mark the crossbar and base of the standards to ensure consistent placement of the crossbar.

Rationale: To put common practice into rule.

Rule 7-5-12 (Change) A marker shall not be placed on the runway or in the landing pit. A competitor may place one or two markers (supplied or approved by the games committee) along side the runway to assist in the run-up and take-off. No mark shall be placed beyond the scratch or take-off line.

Rule 9-1-3 (Add to note) For large meets, the use of multiple chutes is recommended.

Rule 9-5-5 (Add) A competitor shall wear the same assigned unaltered contestant number when numbers are used.