BASIC TRAINING FOR NEW TRACK
& FIELD OFFICIALS
The fourth of a set of modules developed for the training of new
officials.
THE JUMPS
Long Jump, Triple Jump, High Jump, Pole Vault
USATF Officials Training Subcommittee
Initial Training Group
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Unit I Long and Triple Jump
Unit II Pole Vault
Initial Training For Long Jump and Triple Jump Officials
A. Overview
B. Description of the Venue and Equipment 1. At facility
2. Generally supplied by meet management 3. Often supplied by officials
C. Officiating Positions 1. Chief Judge
2. Flight Coordinator 3. Timer
4. Wind Gauge Operator 5. Recorder(s)
6. Pit Judge 7. Tape Puller 8. Rakers
9. Performance Board Operator
D. Chronology of Duties to be Carried Out by Officials as the Event Progresses 1. Before start of competition
a. Before warm-ups b. During warm-ups 2. During competition a. Before attempt b. During attempt c. After attempt
3. Between flights and before finals 4. After completion of competition
E. Rules Governing the Long Jump and Triple Jump
Unit I
Initial Training For Long Jump and Triple Jump Officials
A. Overview
After long jumpers or triple jumpers report to their venue they measure and locate the distance from the take-off board at which they want to start their jump as well as check markers along the way. These markers are usually identified by pieces of tape along side, but not on, the runway. During warm-up “run throughs” the athlete may modify those markers.
Often two triple jump take-off boards are available to accommodate different jumping abilities in which case each jumper must declare which take-off board he or she will be using.
During competition, after an official has called up a jumper that athlete has a limited amount of time to initiate his or her long or triple jump. While a long jumper takes one giant leap after taking off the triple jumper takes a hop, step and jump from the runway before landing in the landing area. After landing both long and triple jumpers must exit the landing area beyond the point at which they landed.
Competition is usually divided into preliminary rounds in which each jumper gets three jumps and final rounds in which the selected finalists get three more jumps. In preliminary competition jumpers compete in flights. The number of flights and number within each flight will vary depending on the size of the meet. After all flights are completed the top performers are selected to compete in the finals during which they get three more jumps.
B. Description of the Venue and Equipment 1. At facility
a. The runway has a high speed surface which in USATF competition has dimensions described in Rule 180.16a.
b. The take-off board is defined in Rule 185.6 for long jumping. Additional Rules for triple jumping can be found at Rule 186.2 and 186.3. The take-off line (also referred to as the scratch line or foul line) is the part of the take-off board used to determine a foul jump. Some take-off boards have plasticine indicator strips just beyond and along the take-off line to help identify foul jumps. The plasticine indicators are described in Rule 185.7.
Some runways have interchangeable plugs that serve as take-off boards. One type of plug serves as a take-off board and another type of plug resembles the runway surface itself so that the runway can be configured specifically for long jump or triple jump competition. Each plug has large adjustable screws so that the plug can be stabilized and set flush with the runway surface when set down in the tray it fits into.
Occasionally officials will need to add an additional take-off board to accommodate the needs of the competitors. This is usually done by using black and white duct tape stretched out accross the runway at the desired point. Such tape must be removed following competition to avoid marks on the surface.
c. The landing area containing sand is described in Rule 185.5. Ideally the sand should not be too wet or too dry. Dry sand caves in behind the jumper’s landing point so that accurate readings are difficult whereas damp sand is more likely to not cave in. Meet management should see that the landing area sand is watered down sufficiently before competition during dry weather.
2. Generally supplied by meet management
a. Wind gauge
b. Allowable types of measuring tapes are defined in Rule 148.1 and 148.2 while the method of measuring long and triple jumps is presented in Rule 185.3. To help officials mark the landing spot in the landing area a “marking cane” is often used which attaches to the measuring tape.
c. Shovels, push brooms and rakes are used to prepare the sand in the landing area. Shovels are used to dig up compacted sand prior to competition while push brooms and rakes are used to level the sand prior to each jump.
d. Flight sheets, clipboards and pencils. Flight sheets are generally computer print outs of the contestants listed within the flights that they will be performing in and in the order they are to compete within each flight. Space is provided to write in the
distance of a jump, indicate a foul jump (F) or indicate a passed jump (P). A set of flight sheets should be used by the operator of the wind gauge to record wind readings.
Clipboards and pencils are provided to assist in the procedures. At some meets hand held devices (Palm Pilots) are available to facilitate the recording of results. Additional training is required to operate these devices.
In some meets up to four sets of flight sheets may be used. One for the official calling up the athletes at the end of the runway, one for an official operating a wind gauge and two for officials recording results near the take-off board. When multiple flight sheets are being used it is important that the officials using them stay in sync throughout the competition.
e. Chairs for officials are generally provided by meet management although officials may be asked to bring their own at some meets. The official operating the wind gauge and officials at the take-off line should have chairs available while other officials may use them during breaks.
f. A performance board may be provided by meet management to allow
or volunteer will typically operate the performance board within a short distance of the take-off line where the jump is being measured.
g. Take-off line markers are used to help approaching jumpers judge where the take-off line is. These are moveable indicators that are set up off the runway on either side of the take-off line and are switched back and forth if two take-off boards are used in triple jump competition.
h. A traffic cone is often placed in front of the take-off board to indicate that the landing area is closed to run throughs or jumping.
3. Often supplied by officials
a. A stop watch to determine the allotted time each jumper has.
b. Red, white and yellow flags to indicate a foul or fair jump and to let a jumper know that his or her allotted time is running out.
c. A step indicator that an official lays out on the take-off board after a jumper has jumped to let the jumper know where his or her take-off foot landed. The indicator may be a shoe insert or portion of a shoe insert.
d. A yard stick or other straight edge to help in the measuring process. The straight edge is used when a jumper lands on the left or right edge of the landing area and the measurement at the take-off line falls outside the width of the runway.
C. Officiating Positions
When a sufficient number of officials are available they will be assigned the standard titles listed below by the Chief Judge. At meets with a limited number of officials the
Chief Judge will often need to combine duties so that any one official may be assigned the work of two or more of the listed officiating positions.
1. Chief Judge
In general terms the duties and responsibilities of the Chief Judge are defined in the USATF rulebook under Rule 126, in the NCAA rulebook under Rule 3.11 and in the high school rulebook under Rule 3.10.
The Chief Judge for a field event matches up the available officials with the required duties and if enough officials are available, additional duties that are desirable to have. The number of officials available along with their experience and abilities will determine how a Chief Judge will make initial assignments and modify those assignments as the event progresses.
For several reasons the Chief Judge may elect to delay making all initial assignments until warm-ups are well under way but EVERY official working the event, whether having received an assignment or not, should offer to help the chief judge in preparing the event for competition upon arrival at the venue. Seven sections in the Appendix define some of the duties the Chief Judge is responsible for or may elect to carry out: Chief Judge detailed duties – Upon arrival at the meet, Chief Judge detailed duties – Upon arrival at the venue, Checking in Long Jump or Triple Jump competitors, Chief Judge detailed duties - Initial warm-up period, Chief Judge detailed duties – Starting competition, Chief Judge detailed duties – After preliminary flights and before finals and Chief Judge detailed duties – After completion of competition
During competition the Chief Judge normally sits at the take-off line, calls jumps fair or foul and reads the measuring tape.
2. Flight Coordinator
The Flight Coordinator coordinates athletes during competition and often checks in the athletes prior to competition unless the Chief Judge assumes that task. During
competition the Flight Coordinator announces the flight order by calling jumpers UP, ON DECK and ON HOLD.
If enough officials are available to allow for a separate Wind Gauge Operator the
Flight Coordinator locates toward the end of the runway near the athletes who are about to jump. Otherwise if the Flight Coordinator is needed to run the wind gauge he or she will need to be located 20 meters from the take-off line.
The Flight Coordinator may on occasion be needed to also carry out the Timer’s duties if other officials are unavailable.
Just prior to the first flight the Flight Coordinator must confirm that the jumping order on his or her flight sheets is in sync with the other officials using flight sheets and then make certain that all flight sheets remain in sync as changes are made during the remainder of the event.
3. Timer
The Timer keeps each jumper within his or her allotted time by starting a watch when the Flight Coordinator announces “A is jumping” and continues to run the watch until the jumper has cleared the take-off line. In USATF and NCAA competition a yellow flag is raised at a point at which the jumper can see it with 15 seconds remaining in the
allotted time. If the jumper has not initiated a run that leads to a jump at the end of the allotted time the yellow flag is lowered and the jump recorded as a foul.
The Wind Gauge Operator needs to have the wind gauge set up properly and have the necessary flight sheets, clip board, pencils and chair before competition begins. The
Wind Gauge Operator will be seated near the runway and 20 meters from the take-off line.
5. Recorder(s)
The Recorder should be seated near or at the take-off line. Often, when a number of officials are available, two Recorders will be assigned in which case one will be
designated as the primary recorder and the other the backup recorder. If two officials are recording results they should compare their entries between flights, before the finals and after the finals.
6. Pit Judge
The Pit Judge marks the landing spot nearest to the take-off line from which the measurement will be taken for each fair jump. The Pit Judge should be located near the edge of the landing area near the point where the next jumper is expected to land. 7. Tape Puller
The Tape Puller pulls the tape at right angles across the take-off line once the Pit Judge has secured the tape in the landing area.
8. Rakers
One or two Rakers level the landing area as required. Leveling the landing area can be a very time consuming process and officials or volunteers who can continue to do the job quickly and properly throughout competition are an important component in an effective long jump or triple jump officiating crew.
9. Performance Board Operator
Ideally there will be enough officials to have a separate Performance Board Operator. If not the Tape Puller often carries out those duties.
D. Chronology of Duties to be Carried Out by Officials as the Event Progresses
1. Before start of competition a. Before warm-ups
An official will be assigned to be the Flight Coordinator and often given the duty of checking in athletes as they arrive at the venue using one set of flight sheets. For each athlete the Flight Coordinator needs to record other events that the athlete will engage in that may require his/her absence. If bib numbers are to be used the Flight Coordinator should verify that each athlete has a bib number and that the athlete’s
uniform conforms to applicable rules. If two take-off boards are to be used in triple jump competition the Flight Coordinator should be aware of the two distances from the take-off lines to the nearer edge of the landing area and record the take-take-off board each jumper will be using. The Flight Coordinator will generally carry out duties defined in the appendix under Checking in Long Jump or Triple Jump competitors.
If a minimum distance process is to be used an official will need to set up markers on both sides of the landing area to help determine if a jumper has attained the distance required for a measurement. The Pit Judge often carries out this duty.
Prior to competition the measuring tape should be examined to make certain that it is long enough and can be read clearly. If a measuring cane is to be used the tape should be attached to it and the “zero point” noted. The Pit Judge often carries out these tasks.
If an additional take-off board is needed the distance of the new board to the landing area should be determined and the new board established.
If the runway uses plugs in the long jump and triple jump take-off board areas those plugs need to be checked to make certain that they are stable and flush with the runway surface.
If a wind gauge is to be used it should be set up 20 meters from the take-off line, within two meters of the runway and four feet above the runway surface. The wind gauge should be parallel to the ground, parallel to the runway and set so that the impeller is pointing in the correct position. The wind gauge should be set to five seconds and tested before competition. The Wind Gauge Operator should obtain a set of flight sheets, a clipboard, several pencils, a chair and on a sunny day a hat.
All jumpers have an allotted time in which to complete their jump and the Timer
timing the jumpers needs to have a watch and yellow flag and plan on locating near the runway within view of the athlete who is about to jump.
If a performance board is to be used the Performance Board Operator needs to determine whether the board should display metric or imperial results. If the results are to be announced in metric by the Chief Judge and the performance board to show imperial, conversion tables should be obtained. The performance board should be moved into a location from where the announced distances from the Chief Judge can be heard by the Performance Board Operator and results seen by others.
b. During warm-ups
Available officials should either help the Chief Judge or block foot traffic from crossing the runway.
The Chief Judge should determine when the warm-up period is to start and when it should be terminated for each flight and the finals.
Prior to each flight and the finals a cone should be placed on the take-off board and the landing area leveled.
Prior to the first flight an official needs to place the measuring tape in position. The Pit Judge should assume this task
Prior to the first flight the Chief Judge will call all jumpers together to give them their final instructions. During that time the Flight Coordinator needs to get with all other officials who will be using flight sheets or hand a held device to scratch “no shows”, identify any others change in the jumping order, provide the take-off board each jumper will be using for the triple jump and otherwise get all sets of flight sheets and the hand held device if used in sync.
At some point during the final instructions the Chief Judge will have the
Flight Coordinator read off the final order of competition, other events an athlete may be in that conflict with the long jump or triple jump and the take-off board to be used for the triple jump. The Chief Judge may elect to do that task.
Competition will begin only when the Chief Judge has gotten the venue prepared and all other officials assigned and aware of their specific duties. He or she should check with all officials at the venue to verify that they are ready to start competition before removing the cone from the runway for the first jumper.
2. During competition a. Before attempt
At the start of each flight and the finals the Recorder(s) should write down the start time on the flight sheet and at the end of each flight and finals also record the finish times. If a competitor decides to pass a jump or all remaining jumps or when an excused jumper is worked into the rotation that modification in the jumping order must be communicated to all the officials using flight sheets or a hand held device.
When two take-off boards are being used in the triple jump the Recorder(s) will need to notify the Chief Judge and the Tape Puller when there is a change of take-off board. When that occurs the Chief Judge will need to relocate and move the two take-off line markers to the new position.
The Chief Judge determines when the next jump can be initiated when the landing area and other officials are ready.
The Flight Coordinator maintains and announces the flight order by calling jumpers UP, ON DECK and ON HOLD. When the Chief Judge indicates that everything is ready the jumper should be called up and the Timer should start the timing process.
In USATF and NCAA competition the Timer raises a yellow flag in view of the jumper with 15 seconds left in his/her allotted time. High School competition does not require the use of the yellow flag. When the allotted time has elapsed the Timer lowers the yellow flag and announces “Time Up”. Under NCAA and High School rules
consecutive jumps by a jumper will allow only one minute for each jump while under USATF rules subsequent jumps will allow two minutes after the Chief Judge has signaled that everything is ready and the jumper has been called up.
b. During attempt
The Tape Puller should not block the view of the Chief Judge or other officials who need to be watching the approaching jumper.
Under NCAA and USATF rules the long jump and triple jump wind gauge is to be started when the competitor passes a point 40 meters from the take-off board in the long jump and 35 meters from the take-off board in the triple jump. If a competitor starts his/her run within those distances the wind gauge is started when the run is started. The wind gauge shall be read by the Wind Gauge Operator in meters per second, rounded and recorded to the next higher tenth of a meter per second in the positive direction. A reading of 2.03 meters per second shall be recorded as 2.1 and a reading of – 2.03 meters per second shall be recorded as –2.0.
The Chief Judge will judge the jumper’s efforts as being fair or foul by displaying the respective white or red flag. The white flag should be raised only after the jumper has cleared the landing area legally.
The Pit Judge stationed near the landing area should notify the Chief Judge of any foul occurring in the landing area or if a minimum distance to measure has not been achieved. For the triple jump that includes verifying that the jump was done properly once the jumper has left the take-off board.
c. After attempt
After a jump has been declared fair the Pit Judge should determine and mark the point to be measured and hold the zero point of the measuring tape at that mark until the Chief Judge announces the distance.
If the jumper’s feet land at points equally distant from the take-off line the Pit Judge
may elect to take two measurements from each point to determine which was closer to the take-off line. That needs to be conveyed to both the Chief Judge and the Tape Puller.
During the measuring process the Pit Judge should hold the measuring cane securely with two hands to avoid tape drift at the point where the Chief Judge is reading it.
The Tape Puller needs to wait until the measuring cane has been secured before pulling the tape taut but should not pull hard enough to pull the marking cane through the sand. The Tape Puller pulls the tape over the take-off line or take-off line extended. The measuring tape MUST BE HELD AT RIGHT ANGLES TO THE TAKE-OFF LINE or the take-off line extended. If the measuring tape is off of the runway the Chief Judge
may use a straight edge to extend the take-off line to get an accurate reading.
The Tape Puller should hold the tape firmly against the runway surface to avoid tape drift at the take-off line. In NCAA competition the tape should be held down one meter behind the foul line. Ideally the Tape Puller will keep the appropriate metric or imperial side of the tape up for the Chief Judge to read.
The Chief Judge will check to see that the measuring tape is taut and at right angles to the take-off line before reading and announcing the measurement. The Chief Judge may have another official verify the measurement before announcing it. If two measurements are made the Chief Judge announces the lesser distance.
The Recorder(s) should repeat aloud the distances as a check that they were read and recorded correctly. A passed jump should be recorded as a “P”, a foul as an “F” and if a minimum distance is not met a “NM” recorded.
The Raker(s) level the landing area after a jumper has cleared the landing area starting from the back of the landing area and working toward the front. They should move quickly and unless instructed otherwise announce, “ready” as the brooms or rakes are pulled out of the pit. Occasionally the Chief Judge will want additional leveling but otherwise once the brooms or rakes have been pulled from the landing area they should be kept out of it until after the next jump.
If a performance board is used the Performance Board Operator should post the distance in either imperial or metric as dictated by meet management. The Performance Board Operator may need to convert from metric to imperial distances. When a jump is not measured for any reason the board should be cleared immediately. After the posting of a distance the board should be slowly rotated a full 360 degrees several times.
After each measurement the Tape Puller needs to move the tape off the runway making certain not to displace the foul line markers next to the runway.
During the last round of the finals the Recorder(s) should determine and record each jumper’s best performance and enter it in the appropriate column.
After each flight has concluded an official should help to coordinate the warm-ups for the next flight or the finals. That responsibility is often given to the Flight Coordinator
but it may be given to another appointed by the Chief Judge.
If there are two Recorders they should compare their recordings between flights, prior to the finals and after finals.
After preliminary flights have been completed the Recorder(s) needs to determine the finalists and the order (reverse performance) in which finalists will jump. This
information should be reviewed and verified by the Chief Judge before being passed on to the Flight Coordinator as well as the Wind Gauge Operator. The Chief Judge may want to announce the order of the finalists to the competitors, have the Flight
Coordinator do it or have it read over the PA system.
Between flights the Pit Judge and Tape Puller should work together to get the twists out of the tape if any have developed.
The Chief Judge should determine when the warm-up period is to be terminated before each flight and the finals.
Prior to each flight and the finals a cone should be placed on the take-off board and the landing area leveled.
Prior to the resumption of competition the Chief Judge needs to check with the other officials to verify that they are ready before removing the cone from the runway signaling the start of competition.
4. After completion of competition
After competition the Recorder(s) should complete the flight sheet(s) by filling in the “best mark” and place columns. If two recorders are used they need to compare results before turning them over to the Chief Judge.
The Chief Judge should review and verify the results and have them signed by the appropriate officials. All certified officials signing the flight sheets should provide their USATF certification number.
The Wind Gauge Operator should review the results and turn them over to the Chief Judge. The Wind Gauge Operator should then pack up the wind gauge equipment and see that it is returned to the proper location.
The Chief Judge carries or delegates the applicable duties listed in the Appendix under “Chief Judge detailed duties - After completion of competition”
Available officials should help to pick up the jumpers marking tape on the edge of the runway as well as any temporary take-off boards laid down. Otherwise available officials should help to return any equipment and assist the Chief Judge in carrying out his or her duties.
E. Rules Governing the Long Jump and Triple Jump
The following matrix provides the major rules that govern the primary duties of five of the long jump and triple jump officials:
RULE USATF HIGH SCHOOL NCAA
Flight Coordinator
Rule 180.8 Rules 4.1,4.2,4.3 Rules 4.2 & 4.3
Rules 142 & 143 Rule 7.2 Rules 6.1 & 6.2
Rule 7.6.11 Rule 6.7.2 Timer Rule 180.8.d Rule 7.2.5 Rule 6.1 Wind Gauge Rule 163 Rule 10.2 Rule 7.2 Operator
Pit Judge Rules 185 & 186 Rule 7.6 Rule 6.7 Tape Puller Rule 185.3 Rule 7.6.14 Rule 6.1.15
The following matrix provides information on specific rules and rule locations:
RULE USATF HIGH SCHOOL NCAA
Uniform “Not objectionable” Full length shirt/singlet No bare midriff Shoes required No Yes No
Jewelry allowed Yes No Yes Flight sizes Max of 15 4-12 5-16
Trial time 60 seconds 60 seconds 60 seconds Trial time Rule 180.8.d Rule 7.2.5 Rule 6.1 exceptions
Warning time 15 seconds None specified 15 seconds Markers adjacent 2 (Rule 180.19) 2 (Rule 7.6.12.a) 2(Rule 6.1.9.c) to runway
Warm-up time Not specified Not specified 15 minutes/flight Check-in Rule 142 Rule 4.1 Rules 4.2.1 & 6.2.2 Attire Rule 143 Rule 4.3 Rule 4.3
Field events Rule 180 Rules 7.1,7.2&7.3 Rule 6.1 Long Jump & Rules 185 & 186 Rule 7.6 Rule 6.7 Triple Jump
Wireless Rule 144.3.b Rule 3.2.8 Rule 4.5 Communications
F. Appendix
Sample Flight Sheet
Men’s Long Jump – World Championships – 8/30/91
Athlete Attempt Attempt Attempt Attemt Attempt Attempt Best Place 1 2 3 4 5 6 George Ogbeide 7.78 F 7.68 7.78 13 NGR (+0.8) (-1.0) Vladimir Ochkan 7.99 F F 2 F 5.89 F 7.99 8 URS (+2.1) (-0.1) Jaime Jefferson 7.70 7.88 7.94 7.94 9 CUB (+2.0) (+2.8) (-0.5) Andre Muller 7.94 7.71 F 7.94 10 GER (+3.1) (-0.7) Dietmar Haaf 8.01 F 8.22 6 8.05 F F 8.22 4 GER (-0.4) (+3.3) (+2.5) Zunrong Chen 7.86 7.92 7.92 7.92 11 CHN (+3.3) (-1.1) (+0.5) Mike Powell 7.85 8.54 8.29 7 F 8.95 F 8.95 1 USA (+0.2) (+0.4) (+0.9) (+0.3) Konstandinos 7.92 F 7.70 7.92 12 Kooukodimos – GRE (-1.5) (+1.0) Larry Myricks F 8.20 F 5 8.41 8.42 F 8.42 3 USA (+0.1) (-0.8) (+0.8) Bogdan Tudor 7.85 8.00 F 3 F 8.06 F 8.06 5 ROM (-0.8) (+0.4) (+1.7) Carl Lewis 8.68 F 8.83 8 8.91 8.87 8.84 8.91 2 USA (+0.0) (+2.3) (+2.9) (-0.2) (+1.7) Giovanni 7.97 7.96 F 1 F 8.01 7.99 8.01 7 Evangelisti – ITA (-1.0) (+1.1) (+0.7) (+0.3) David Culbert F 7.53 8.02 4 7.27 F 7.60 8.02 6 AUS (+1.3) (+1.9) (+0.6) (-0.6)
Chief Judge detailed duties - Upon arrival at the meet
Determine who field referee is Find the flight sheets for the event
Determine how many flights will be needed if not indicated on flight sheets Determine how many competitors will advance to the finals
Determine if measurement will be in metric or imperial Determine location of pit and runway to be used
Determine the number of jumps to be allowed in the prelims and finals Determine if a minimum distance has been set for legal jumps
Determine if all first legal jumps will be measured Find and write down the meet record for the event Determine if a wind gauge will be used
Determine takeoff board distances to be used (may need to add one) Determine if pit has been watered down
Determine start time of event
Determine time to start warm-up period
Plan to be at venue 45-60 minutes before warm-up period starts Determine availability of medical personnel
Check procedures for check-in (at event or at clerks tent)
Check procedures for competitors arriving after start of competition
Determine who will announce first, second and final calls and how they will be coordinated Determine who will get final results when finished
Determine where needed equipment may be located and where it should be returned Carry needed equipment to the venue
Chief Judge detailed duties - Upon arrival at the venue
Get the pit watered down if necessary If the pit needs to be dug up do so and level Take inventory of equipment you have and need Acquire any equipment still needed
Set up chairs as needed for officials
Place a cone or chair on the runway in front of the takeoff board Clean up the runway (tape and trash)
Check to make sure existing takeoff board(s) are secure If necessary establish a new takeoff board with duct tape
Check to see that runway plugs (if applicable) are properly adjusted Measure and record distances from pit to takeoff line(s)
Label the distance from pit to takeoff board next to the board(s)
Mark the minimum distance (if applicable) on both sides of the pit. For both boards in TJ Attach the measuring tape to the measuring cane and note the zero point
Lay out and secure a second measuring tape down the runway for competitors to set marks Set up a wind gauge if applicable
Assign duties to other officials
Either the Chief Judge or Flight Coordinator may do the checking in of competitors
Make certain that first call for the event gets made Highlight the names as the athletes check in
Obtain pronunciation of each athlete’s name (write in phonetic spelling for difficult names) Check athlete’s uniform and bib number
Check for jewelry (high school)
Let athlete know when warm-ups will start, length of warm-up period(s) and when competition will start
Let athlete know where staging area is located
Remind athlete that jumpers get only two markers adjacent to the runway Let athlete know the number of flights and his or her flight and competitive order Let athlete know the number moving on to the finals
For triple jump, find out and record which takeoff board he or she wants to use Find out and record other events he or she will be in that may conflict time wise Explain the procedure if he or she is not at the venue when called up Chief Judge detailed duties – Initial warm-up period
Make certain that second call for the event gets made Remove the cone or chair from the runway
Announce the start of general warm-ups Keep competitors in assigned staging area Move all non-competitors out of staging area
Make certain that final call for the event is made in a timely manner Assist competitors in setting their marks
Check that runway marks are legal
Announce the end of general warm-ups and the start of flight one only warm-ups Announce periodically the amount of time left in flight specific warm-ups
Close warm-ups for flight one five minutes prior to the start of competition to give instructions Place cone or chair on runway in front of takeoff board
Have other officials level pit and sweep the runway Make certain that the measuring tape is set up
Chief Judge detailed duties - Starting competition
Prior to start of the first flight call all competitors from all flights together
Have Flight Coordinator reconcile flight sheets with Recorder(s) and Wind Gauge Operator Explain how many flights there will be and how many will be in each flight
Explain how many competitors will go to finals
Explain how many jumps are allowed in trials and finals
Explain how finalists will be announced (at venue, over public address system etc) Explain procedure for calling competitors for attempt (UP, ON DECK & ON HOLD) Explain time limit and when competitor’s time will start
Explain use of yellow flag Go over major fouls
Explain that measurement cannot start until jumpers have exited the pit If applicable provide metric conversion tables
If minimum distances apply explain the procedure
Go over the rules for passing a jump or all remaining jumps
Have Flight Coordinator announce the order of competition for each flight while confirming other events entered by each competitor and takeoff board to be used in the TJ
Ask if there are any questions Position all officials
Remove cone or chair from runway
Have Recorder(s) mark start time on flight sheet Have Flight Coordinator call up first competitor.
Chief Judge detailed duties – After preliminary flights and before finals
Have Recorder(s) determine the finalists and the order of competition Check to see that the selection of finalists has been done correctly Check to see that the order of final competition has been done correctly Announce or have announced the finalists and order of competition
Make certain that the Flight Coordinator and Wind Gauge Operator have the correct order of final competition
Chief Judge detailed duties – After completion of competition Have Recorder(s) mark the end time on the flight sheet(s)
Place a cone or chair on the runway in front of the takeoff board Have the Recorder(s) complete the flight sheet(s)
Check the accuracy of the flight sheet(s)
Have appropriate officials sign flight sheet(s) and provide their USATF certification numbers Turn the completed flight sheet(s) over to the Head Field Judge or Field Referee
Retain any extra record sheets for possible questions that may arise
Have other officials clean up the runway and venue area by removing tape and trash Thank other officials for their assistance
Return equipment to the proper location
Check Questions
1. You are timing long jumpers at a meet and start the watch correctly when a jumper is called up. At what point do you stop the watch?
a. When the jumper steps on the runway. b. When the jumper starts his or her run.
c. After the jumper jumps or runs past the take-off line. d. When the jumpers allotted time has run out
Answer: c and d
2. Which of the following is not important while running a wind gauge for the long jump or triple jump. a. Manually starting the wind gauge.
b. Manually stopping the wind gauge
c. Making certain no one is blocking the flow of air entering the wind gauge
d. Staying in sync with the Flight Coordinator and recording the results in the proper spot Answer: b The wind gauge should be set to automatically shut off at 5 seconds
3. You are pulling the measuring tape at a meet held under NCAA rules. You should:
a. Pull the tape so that it crosses the take-off line at the mid point of the runway and hold if down securely at a point from which you can verify the distance read.
b. Pull the tape so that it crosses the take-off line or take-off line extended at right angles and hold it down securely at a point from which you can verify the distance read.
c. Pull the tape so that it crosses the take-off line or take-off line extended at right angles and hold it down securely at a point one meter beyond the take-off line.
Answer: c
4. You are the Flight Coordinator calling up jumpers. Jumper A is called up but he or she is not in the venue area. You should:
a. Notify a teammate that it is his or her turn to jump.
b. Have someone notify the PA announcer that it is jumper A’s turn to jump c. Wait until jumper A’s allotted time is up and call up jumper B.
d. Call up jumper B without wasting further time. Answer: c
5. You are the Flight Coordinator about to call up jumper A when jumper A says he will “Pass”. You should:
a. Thank jumper A and call up jumper B
b. Thank jumper A and quickly inform other officials with flight sheets that jumper A is passing. c. Immediately ask jumper A if he will pass only this jump or all remaining jumps and quickly relay his answer to other officials with flight sheets.
d. Immediately ask jumper A if he will pass only this jump or all remaining jumps and call up jumper B.
Answer: c
6. You are a Recorder and have started to record the third round of a meet that has both prelims and finals with three jumps in each. You should:
a. As each jumper makes a third attempt identify the best of the three jumps so that you can quickly determine the finalists when all preliminary flights have been completed.
b. Not bother to identify the best jump in the first three rounds and let the Chief Judge determine the finalists
c. As each jumper makes a third attempt identify the best of the three jumps so that the Chief Judge can determine the finalists when all preliminary flights have been completed.
Answer: a
7. You are a Recorder and have started to record the sixth and final round. You should:
a. As each finalist makes a sixth attempt record the sixth jump and identify the best of the six jumps and let the Chief Judge complete the results
b. As each finalist makes a sixth attempt record the sixth jump, identify the best of the six jumps and record it in the “Best Jump” column.
c. As each finalist makes a sixth attempt record the sixth jump and turn it over to the Chief Judge so that he or she can have something to do.
Answer: b
8. You are a Recorder. Before you turn your flight sheets over to the Chief Judge what needs to be done with the “Best Jump” and “Place” columns of the flight sheets?
a. Nothing, it’s the Chief Judge’s responsibility to complete those columns. b. Fill in the two columns for the finalists only
c. Fill in the “Best Jump” column for all jumpers in the competition and the “Place” column for at least the finalists.
d. Nothing, the computer will determine all that Answer: c
9. You are the Pit Judge at a meet under USATF rules and notice a jumper leaving the landing area make first contact with the ground outside the pit closer to the take-off line than the nearest break in the sand. You should:
a. Ignore it since no foul has occurred
b. Let the Chief Judge know immediately what you observed
c. Tell the jumper not to exit the pit at a point closer than the spot he or she landed at. d. Ignore it since it is not your responsibility to check for such things
Answer: b
10. You are a relatively new official and get to a meet you have never worked before and have not been given a specific assignment. You should:
a. Sit in the stands until the PA announcer gives first call for all officials. b. Walk up to any venue and wait for someone to give you an assignment
c. Find the officials tent and the meet referee and ask him or her for your assignment and report time d. Look for an official you know and work with that official.
Answer: c
11. You are a relatively new official at a meet you have never worked before and have now been given an assignment. You should:
a. Wait until first call is made for that event and then go to the venue.
b. Go to the venue at the assigned time, introduce yourself and find out how you can help
c. Go to the venue at the assigned time and watch the other officials until one of them asks you what the heck you want.
d. Ask the meet referee to take you over to the venue and introduce you to the other officials Answer: b
Sample Triple Jump Layout during competition
_____________8___ + + ____________________4________________5_____________ + + + + + + ________________________________+____+_________ ____+ + 2 1 + + 3 7 (5) +_________________+ 9 6 8 1. Chief Judge 2. Flight Coordinator 3. Timer
4. Wind Gauge Operator 5. Recorder(s)
6. Pit Judge 7. Tape Puller 8. Rakers
