BASIC TRAINING FOR NEW TRACK &
FIELD OFFICIALS
The third of a set of modules developed for the training of new officials.
THE THROWS
Shot Put, Discus, Javelin, Hammer, Weight
USATF Officials Training Subcommittee
Initial Training Group
THROWING EVENTS
The third of a set of four modules developed for the training of officials The five throwing events, five outdoor and two indoor, have in recent times become the premier events to watch at many track and field meets, especially the Indoor and Outdoor National Championships, the Olympic trials, the Olympics and other major international meets. Officiating the throwing events requires agility, safety awareness, stamina, and the ability to make quick, but correct, decisions.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Topic Page Number
Module Objectives 3
A. Officiating Near the Cage or Runway 3
Safety considerations near a cage or runway 3
Rules governing the throws 3
Long throws (Javelin, Discus, Hammer) Short throws (Shotput, Weight Throw)
Officials near the cage or runway 4
Chief judge of the event 4
Circle or Foul line judge 5
Flight coordinator 5
Timer 6
Recorder 6
Performance board operator 7
Tape puller 7
B. Officiating In or Near the Sector 7
Safety considerations in or near the sector 7
Officials in or near the sector 8
Marking judge 8
Secondary marking judge 8
Sector judges 8
Implement retrievers 8
Javelin landing judge 8
C. The Measuring of Throws With a Steel or Fiberglass Tape 9 Measuring objectives – Safety, accuracy, Speed, and Focus 9
Teamwork 9
Measuring equipment 9
Checking the measuring equipment 10
Checking the impact area 10
Warm-ups 10
Positioning measurement officials 11
Finding the mark 12
Proper marking 13
Holding the mark 13
Pulling the tape 14
Reading the tape 15
Returning to the proper position 15
Between flights 16
After competition 16
D. The Measuring of Throws With an Electronic Device 16
Module Objectives
- Become familiar with the rules governing the five throwing events
- Practice safe officiating techniques for throwing events
- Be familiar with the various officials’ positions and the attendant duties for a throws event
- Be able to lay out the proper sector for each throwing event - Be able to properly and accurately record preliminary throws,
determine those competitors advancing to finals, and determine final places for a throwing event
-A. OFFICIATING NEAR THE CAGE OR RUNWAY Safety considerations near the cage or runway
There are a number of safety considerations that officials in the throws areas need to keep in mind:
First – Everyone should stay a safe distance away from the netting around the discus/hammer cage. The distance of at least six (6) feet is generally suggested. Athletes must be confined to a safe area during the competition.
Second – Implements can slide under netting and gates so that officials need to find positions where this is not likely to happen.
Third – Hammers get stuck high up in the netting and officials entering the ring need to be aware that the implement can suddenly fall whether provoked or not. Fourth – The javelin runway area can get very congested at times during warm-ups and all officials crossing the runway must be certain that a thrower is not charging down the runway for a practice throw.
Fifth – Make sure that retrievers are facing the circle/runway when retrieving implements. It is good practice to have five or six competitors take a warm-up throw, then have the implements retrieved. This is especially true when athletes are retrieving their own implements (never a good idea, but sometimes necessary in smaller meets.)
Sixth – There should be no use of the circle/runway after the event is concluded. Seventh – Most incidents resulting in injury to officials/competitors/spectators occur during the warm-up period. Officials need to be extremely vigilant while supervising the warm-up prior to the start of the event.
Rules governing the throws
A brief narrative covering the throws can be found in the Appendix on pages 21 to 25. The following two matrices provide information on specific rules and locations of the rule(s) in the rule book:
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 – 12 Electronic devices - Only with Games Committee Approval (Generally “NO” for USATF & NCAA. Not specified in High School rules)
Trial time 60 seconds 60 seconds 60 seconds Warning time 15 seconds None specified 15 seconds Implement Legal throw Foul throw Legal throw Strikes cage
Measurement -
Long throws Lesser cm. Lesser inch Lesser cm. Short throws Lesser cm. Lesser ¼ inch Lesser cm. Warm-up time None specified None specified 15 minutes/flight
Rule USATF HIGH SCHOOL NCAA
Check-in Rule 142 Rule 4.1 Rule 4.2.2 / 6.2.2 Attire Rule 143 Rule 4.3 Rule 4.3
Field event Rule 180 Rule 6.1 Rule 6.1 Throwing event Rule 187 Rule 6.2 No general rule Discus Rule 189 Rule 6.4 Rule 6.9 Hammer Rule 191 Not competed Rule 6.11 Javelin Rule 193 Rule 6.6 Rule 6.10 Shot put Rule 188 Rule 6.5 Rule 6.8 Weight throw Rule 195 Not competed Use Rule 6.1
OFFICIALS NEAR THE CAGE OR RUNWAY
The chief judge 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
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.
Chief Judge of Event:
- Coordinates with meet management and Head Field Judge or Referee
- Organizes and positions the event crew - Equips the event crew
- Instructs the event crew - Instructs athletes
- Calls circle/arc fouls with flags - Reads tape after each throw
- Announces reading to Recorders and Performance Board officials
- Sets gates for hammer throwers
The Chief Judge reads the tape measurement at the circle or foul line and announces the distance for the Recorder(s) and others. With limited assistance, the Chief Judge may also need to do the recording of results. If not recording results, the Chief Judge should check periodically that results are recorded properly and accurately.
If a “silent circle/runway” is being used, the Chief Judge should keep the flags signaling a fair throw (white flag) or foul throw (red flag) up until the field crew acknowledges it. The flags should be held steady and not waved around. If a silent circle/runway is not being used, the fair throw (“Mark”) or foul throw (“No Mark”) should be called out loudly enough so that the field officials and
competitors can hear the command.
A list of things that the Chief Judge may elect to consider, undertake, or delegate to other officials before and after the competition can be found in the Appendix on pages 17 to 20
Circle Judge or Foul Line Judge:
- Assists Chief Judge in reading the tape - Indicates circle or scratch line fouls
- Approaches the circle from the side opposite the Chief Judge and verifies the distance read. S/he is a second pair of eyes on the
tape who should concentrate on the “meter” since a majority of the reading errors are for the meter (Especially on those tapes that do not have the meter mark every ten centimeters.) - Indicates to Chief Judge with “thumb up or palm up” (fair) or
“thumb down or palm down” (foul) if a throw is fair or foul. - Sweeps the circle/runway when requested or needed.
- Makes certain the thrower is still in the circle or on the runway until the implement has landed once competition has started. - May operate one of the gates on the hammer cage.
Flight Coordinator:
- Notifies the athletes of their order
- Notes and coordinates athletes in other events - Helps conduct warm-ups
- Holds athletes in a safe staging area
- Calls athletes ALICE- UP…BARBARA-ON DECK…CONNIE-ON HOLD (or some other method such as
SMITH….JONES….JACKSON…SMITH UP) - Works excused and tardy athletes into the rotation
The Flight Coordinator must be familiar with the rulebook in use at the meet for the rules governing excused and late-arriving athletes and when the Chief Judge’s permission is required for such athletes to enter the competition.
If a Flight Coordinator is checking in athletes before an event starts, a list of things s/he may want to obtain or provide for the competition is given on page A.18
Timer:
- Starts the stopwatch when the Flight Coordinator calls athlete UP - Raises yellow warning flag at the appropriate time
- Announces remaining time when appropriate (see above) - When time expires, announces “sixty seconds” and lowers
yellow flag
In NCAA competition, a YELLOW flag is raised with 15 seconds left at which time the Timer should announce “15 seconds”. In USATF competition, a YELLOW flag is raised with 15 seconds left, at which time the Timer should announce “15 seconds”. There is no warning given to high school athletes. When the Timer lowers the YELLOW flag after 60 seconds, the Chief Judge should raise the RED flag and the Recorder(s) should record a “time” foul on the flight performance sheet.
For the Hammer, Weight, Discus, and Shot Put, the Timer should be at the back of the ring at 30 to 45 degree position from the center of the ring so that the thrower can see him or her. For the Javelin, the Timer should be near the foul line and adjacent to the runway.
Recorder:
- Echoes and records athlete’s mark on flight performance sheet. - Records “P” for a pass or “F” for foul ( It is helpful to also add
an “F” for a foot foul or a “S” for a sector foul or a “T” for a time foul or an “R” for a runway foul in the javelin).
- Coordinates selection of finalists and final places with Chief Judge and Flight Coordinator.
After competition begins, the Recorder should record numbers on the flight performance sheet as read by the Chief Judge for each throw. Numbers should be repeated aloud by the Recorder as a check that they were read and recorded correctly. This role may be combined with the Flight Coordinator.
After preliminary rounds of all flights are completed, the Recorder should determine the finalists and the order (reverse performance) in which finalists will throw. During the last round of the finals, the Recorder(s) should determine and record each athlete’s best performance and enter it in the appropriate column. If two or more recorders are used (including a Palm Pilot/Field Lynx operator), they should compare their recordings between flights, prior to finals and after finals, before the final standings are announced.
Page A.29 provides an excellent step-by-step illustration of how flight sheets need to be completed for the first three rounds. (Note: Clinic Presenters are
encouraged to have participants fill out the final three rounds of the competition.) Performance Board Operator:
- Posts performances as announced by the Chief Judge. - Before and between flights may help as a retriever.
During competition, this official posts performances on the performance board in either Imperial (feet-inches) or Metric (meters-centimeters) or first in one then in the other as dictated by meet management. The performance board operator may need to convert from metric to imperial distances.
- Before warm-ups begin, makes certain the center of the circle or the javelin runway is clearly marked.
- Observes the release of the javelin and indicates a release foul to the Chief Judge. (see note below on proper holding and release of javelin)
- Indicates landing/sector foul of any implement to the Chief Judge.
- Pulls the tape through the center spot of the circle or the arc without stepping inside the ring and holds the tape steady during reading and announcement.
- Clears tape from runway or circle.
(Note: The javelin must be held at the grip with one hand only with the little finger nearest the point and thrown over the shoulder or upper part of the arm and not slung, hurled, or thrown side-armed.)
B. OFFICIATING IN OR NEAR THE SECTOR Safety considerations in or near the sector
Safety is the basic responsibility of all officials during warm-ups and competition. Officials involved in or near the sector are no exception. Everyone in the impact area or near the sector lines needs to face the ring or scratch line of the javelin runway. Once an implement is in flight DO NOT BACKPEDAL OR TRY TO RUN BACKWARD. If running is necessary, run forward and to the side while keeping an eye on the implement. Officials in or near the sector
{Picture} Primary marking judge:
- Determines and marks the point of impact to be measured. It is advisable for the Primary Marking Judge to hold the tape (if one is being used) up off the ground until the Tape Puller has
tightened the tape to straighten it out for the measurement. - Must know if a minimum distance to be measured has been set
and where that line is. This may be marked by securing small pieces of a light-colored material along the arc of the minimum distance.
- Holds the mark until the Chief Judge or First Reader or Electronic Measurement Operator indicates that the mark has been properly recorded.
(Note: In some competitions (especially Athletics for the Disabled/Wheelchair competitions), it is customary for the primary and/or secondary marking judge to use numbered markers to indicate each athlete’s mark during the competition, then to move the measuring tape onto the impact area to measure all marks at the end of each flight or final. This is not a recommended method of determining marks, as the numbered markers may become dislodged by another implement or accidentally dislodged by one of the marking judges.)
Secondary marking judge:
- Assists the marking judge in finding the point of impact to be measured. This judge may use a skewer-type tool to point out the impact point.
Sector judge:
- Determines sector fouls.
- Stands near or on the sector line and indicates by an arm movement or a red flag that an implement is on or outside the sector line.
Implement retriever:
- Should know how legal implements have been marked and should make certain all implements being retrieved are properly marked as certified.
- Carries (not throws) all implements back to the ring or runway to the athlete staging area during warm-ups and competition.
Javelin landing judge:
- Makes the determination if a javelin lands tip first or not. - Is situated back from the sector line a few yards near the
anticipated impact site. S/he should be low and able to clearly see the landing.
- Raises a white flag to indicate a fair throw or a red flag to indicate a foul throw.
C. THE MEASURING OF THROWS WITH A STEEL OR FIBERGLASS TAPE
Measuring Objectives – Safety, Accuracy, Speed, and Focus
Safety is the first objective and must remain so throughout the duration of the event. Accuracy is a must regardless of the level of competition or number of officials working on the crew. The measurement process must insure that all legal throws are measured and recorded accurately.
Speed is a desirable objective but must not be achieved at a risk of safety or accuracy. In throwing events a good officiating crew establishes an efficient rhythm that moves the event along quickly without forfeiting safety or accuracy.
In order to effectively satisfy the first three objectives, every official in the sector needs to concentrate on his/her assignment for the duration of the event. In the measuring process too many problems arise when an official gets distracted, tries to demonstrate his/her multitasking abilities or otherwise loses focus on what s/he should be doing. Teamwork
Teamwork is an essential ingredient in every good throws officiating crew. Safety, accuracy, and speed cannot be achieved without crew members working together and helping each other verbally and by action.
Measuring equipment
Measuring tapes used for throwing events are made of either fiberglass or steel. While most are metric on one side and imperial (feet-inches) on the other side, some will be exclusively metric or imperial. (Beware of surveyor tapes which some facilities mistakenly purchase that are divided in tenths of a foot on one side.)
Most tapes in use have a zero point at the end of the tape (“true zero”), but some may have the zero point several inches up the tape (“non-true zero”).
To make the job easier, many officials use a measuring cane (“stabber” or marker stick) to place and hold the zero point of the measuring tape over the mark to be measured. If one is used, the end of the measuring tape must attach to it without too much difficulty. Measuring tapes and marker sticks may be purchased from on-line equipment supply businesses such as MF Athletics or other reputable suppliers.
Checking the Measuring Equipment
Before competition begins, the marking judge should make certain that the measuring tape to be used is in good condition, is long enough to serve the event, and has the necessary metric or imperial calibrations. If a measuring cane is used, the tape should be attached to it and the zero point on the tape located. Note that some measuring tapes that have the imperial and metric measurements on opposite sides of the tape will have a zero point at the end of the tape on one side and a zero point up the tape (not at the end) on the other side. THE MARKING JUDGE MUST CHECK TO SEE WHERE THE TAPE’S ZERO POINT IS FOR THE (METRIC OR IMPERIAL) SIDE OF THE TAPE THAT WILL BE USED DURING THE COMPETITION.
For throws the end of the measuring tape should be set on the measuring cane so that the end of the tape is no more than two inches above ground level after the measuring cane has been pushed into the ground at the mark.
Measuring canes differ. For long throws on a windy day and a hard landing surface, a cane with a sharp point is more desirable than one with a blunt end that may be pulled out of position as the tape is being straightened by the tape puller.
Before competition, the measuring tape should be stretched out from the edge of the impact area to the back of the circle or the center of the javelin arc. If concentric distance arcs have been painted on the impact surface, the marking judge and tape puller may verify the accuracy of at least one of the arcs, especially the arc nearest the circle or scratch line and the interval between successive arcs, as athletes will unfailingly want to know what distances the arcs represent.
Checking the impact area
Officials operating in the impact area of throwing events should carefully check the area before warm-ups and between flights and attempt to smooth out problem areas. Often sand is available to fill in holes that an official might otherwise trip over when
backpedaling or moving from side to side in an effort to get to the mark swiftly. When an implement is in flight, the officials need to watch the implement and not the ground . During competition, if an indentation is made in the surface, the marking judge or a retriever should take a few seconds to smooth it out before the next throw.
Warm-ups
While the warm-ups periods for throws do not directly involve measurement, they are the time during which officiating crews need to get their act together.
For safety purposes, all officials in an impact area should fan out and face the ring at all times. As an official, DO NOT stay within a few feet of another official or expect to have extended eye contact with another official while in the impact area during warm-ups or competition. The impact area is a place to focus on the event and while a certain amount of informative chatter should be taking place between officials involved, it is not an area for most types of socializing.
A common practice during discus warm-ups is for athletes to enter the cage with two implements at a time. Everyone in the impact area needs to be aware that there may be little time between that athlete’s first and second warm-up throws. Some throwers will also take “phantom” throws i.e. throwing motion without an implement which will cause officials in the impact area that are not paying close attention to search wildly for the airborne implement.
During javelin warm-ups, the chief judge may elect to have five or six throwers throw before any are picked up and returned. An official should stand at the foul line as javelins are being collected and returned and not allow “run throughs” with or without javelins. On windy days with a cross wind blowing toward the return alley, the same process could be advisable for discus warm-ups.
During warm-ups, the officials in the impact area should note the distances and
characteristics (left / right handed thrower, et cetera) of each thrower to know where to position themselves during competition.
Positioning Measurement Officials {graphic of positioning- George Kleeman’s monograph}
While the chief judge may choose to do otherwise, for a number of reasons most throwing competition is set up so that the throwers assemble on the left side of he throwing circle or runway (as you face the impact area). To avoid tripping over the measuring tape, the reel is placed in the back of the ring or the adjacent to the center point of the arc off the runway on the right side. For efficiency, this layout sets up the following:
Officials on the right side of the circle or runway –
Tape puller – for caged events, the first person into the cage after a throw has been judged fair.
Circle judge or Foul line judge – follows the tape puller for caged events. Officials on the left side of the ring or runway –
Chief Judge – should be on the left side so that the tape can be read right side up. This is particularly important if there is no circle judge or foul line judge.
While the javelin landing judge is not directly involved with the actual measuring that judge may declare a foul throw that measuring officials need to be aware of.
The positioning of officials in the impact area is well described in the following taken from “The Throwing Officials Manual” printed by USATF and compiled by George Kleeman in 2008. It can be found on the USATF website in the Officials section. “When positioning yourself as a marker, always try to be on the side where you expect the implement to land and slightly long of the expected mark. For safety reasons you should not be closer than 15 feet to any throw. Which side (you are on) depends on the wind and if the throw is right or left-handed. This is for your safety since most
implements tend to skip on impact as well as to help with accurate marking, particularly for the lighter javelin and discus. You can never be sure which way an implement may go after it hits the ground. Some have been known to go 90 degrees from the thrown direction. Know the throwers. See where they throw in warm-ups so that you can be properly positioned to get the mark easily, quickly and safely. Be mindful of the wind direction and if the thrower is left or right handed since in the longer throws this should guide you as to which way to move if the implement gets too close. This is particularly true for the javelin and discus. If you move in the wrong direction the implement may tend to follow you. Don’t freeze and wait too long if the implement is coming at you. Think about which way to move before the throw. Since most thrower are right handed you normally will want to move to your left, which is not normal for right-handed people.”
Finding the mark
Being in the right position is the first key to finding the right spot to mark. If marking judge assistants are available, they should be located away from the marking judge in a position where all judges triangulate the landing spot from different directions. Generally the most difficult throws to find a good mark are in the javelin and 1 K discus events.
Marking should be done with authority and quickly. Delays only open the door to questions and protests. Marking judges should focus on getting to the mark and not be concerned whether there might be a foul called at the circle or runway. It is better to locate the mark then see that a foul has been called then to miss the mark because it appeared to be a foul at the circle or runway.
Since a protest can overrule a throw that has been indicated as a foul, it is necessary to always determine where a throw has landed and go to that spot. This is referred to as a “silent mark” in which the throw is measured and recorded elsewhere on the sheet (perhaps the back), but is not announced unless the protest is upheld.
On very wet surfaces, always try to determine the spot to be marked before shot or hammer is removed since the implement may be imbedded in the ground and the mark will be altered by removing implement.
An important part of teamwork that becomes obvious to all watching is the verbal clueing by other officials in the impact area that a throw is foul and that the marking judge and any marking assistants can act accordingly. The clueing process does not need to be loud, but clear to the marking officials.
Proper Marking {picture}
When holding a measuring cane, the marking judge should also hold a portion of the measuring tape of about two feet against the measuring cane with the same hand that is holding the measuring cane to relieve stress on the end of the tape and minimize twisting of the tape between the measuring cane and the tape puller.
The marking judge should secure the measuring cane so that the zero point is over the proper mark while still holding the tape against the cane. The marking judge may indicate that s/he has the mark by raising the other hand to signify to the tape puller that the tape may be pulled in. The marking judge should check to see that the end of the tape has not kinked or wrapped around the base of the measuring cane.
The marking judge should let the tape puller begin to straighten the tape while the marking judge continues to hold a portion of the tape firmly a foot or two above the ground. Once the tape has cleared any surface obstructions and is fairly straight, the marking judge should let go of the tape and the tape puller should pull in the remaining tape. Once the tape has been pulled in, the marking judge should let the tape puller know immediately if the tape does not appear to be straight.
On windy days for the long throws, it is important that the marking judge holds the tape firmly and close to the ground while the tape puller swings the tape upwind to get it straightened out. The marking judge may also step on the tape about one foot from the
Holding the Mark {picture}
Once the mark has been set and the tape pulled successfully, the marking judge should stand behind the measuring cane, hold it steady, preferably with both hands, and face the circle or runway until the chief judge leaves the circle or runway. By holding the
measuring cane with one hand or turning to one side to watch something else, the marking judge is more likely to move the top of the cane enough to make the tape at the ring slide back and forth at the point where it is being read. Every competitor deserves an accurate measurement regardless of the level of competition.
In general, the marking judge should hold the measuring cane steady until the chief judge leaves the circle or runway, but there are several points that the marking judge must be aware of:
- Throws that are initially indicated to be fouls should be marked if there seems to be some controversy. The mark should be
measured, but not announced, unless a protest overrules the foul. This is termed the “silent mark” and is recorded somewhere else on the record sheet for possible later reference.
- The chief judge should be aware of existing records and if a throw is better than the record, the marking judge should be told to hold the mark for further verification of the mark and possibly for the use of a steel tape.
In any event, the marking judge should attempt to quickly smooth out the landing surface after pulling up the measuring cane and before getting into position for the next throw.
Pulling the tape {picture}
Tape pulling is a critical and time-consuming activity that requires skill, concentration, and energy in order to get the measuring tape straight, apply the proper tension, and hold it steady until the chief judge is finished reading the measurement at the front of the ring or the foul line.
For the throws, the tape puller should be on the opposite side of the competitors and for the hammer and discus, be in a position to enter the cage quickly after a fair throw has been indicated.
For the hammer and discus, the tape reel should be left inside at the rear of the cage with enough slack available to cover the longest thrower in the flight. For the javelin, the reel should be alongside the runway and beyond the center of the foul arc with enough slack available to cover the longest thrower in the flight. For the shot, the tape puller should remain behind the ring and slightly to the side out of the competitors direct line of sight
and may very well hold the continuously throughout the entire competition. Ideally, the tape puller should know about how far the next thrower will throw and allow enough slack so that the marking judge does not pull the reel across the throwing surface while moving into position.
For all of the long throws, it is important that the tape puller work with the marking judge to straighten the tape. The tape puller MUST wait until the marking judge has
established the mark before beginning to pull the tape taut. Generally, the marking judge will hold a portion of the tape while the tape puller straightens it out. This is done so that the end of the tape on the measuring cane is not broken off which always results in a time consuming delay.
On a windy day, the marking judge should hold the tape close to the ground and the tape puller may need to swing the tape to the windward side (against the wind) of the ring or runway to get the tape straight.
The tape puller will pull the tape from the spot in the back of the ring and through the center spot of the ring. The tape puller should never step into the ring. For javelin events, the tape may be pulled from the back of the center of the foul arc which is eight meters (26’3”) behind the foul line. The tape puller should try to adjust the tape so that the appropriate side of the tape is up for the chief judge depending upon the system of measurement being used for the competition. This task becomes difficult if the tape becomes badly twisted.. To avoid tape drift at the spot it is being read, the tape puller may hold the tape against the concrete behind the back of the ring (not on the surface of the ring) or the runway surface until the chief judge is leaving the ring or runway.
Reading the tape {picture}
Ideally, after a throw has been judged fair, the chief judge/primary reader will approach the tape from the left side of the ring or runway (as you face the field) so that the tape numbers will not be upside down. A circle judge or foul line judge, if used, should approach from the opposite side and follow the tape puller. For ring events, none of the officials should step into the ring.
The chief judge should check to see that the tape is straight, has the right tension, and has been pulled through the center of the circle or arc center before reading the distance. If a circle judge or foul line judge is used, the chief judge should quietly read out the distance and get confirmation before announcing the distance to the recorder(s) and others. The recorder(s) should repeat the distance back to the chief judge for verification.
The chief judge should know if a minimum distance for a measured throw has been established and what that distance is. If a throw is under that distance, the distance should not be announced and the throw is recorded as “NM” for “no mark” or “not
The chief judge should always know if a record is possible and the process to follow if a record is indicated by a distance read. In some situations, a steel tape will need to be used and the implement impounded for re-certification by Weights and Measures
personnel. In any event, the chief judge should immediately notify the marking judge to hold the mark and possibly for the retrievers to impound the implement. Necessary other officials (referee, head field judge, et cetera) may need to be summoned to the venue to certify the record attempt.
When each flight has been completed, the chief judge should make sure that all officials in the impact area are aware of it. A common signal is to stand in front of the circle or runway and make a crossed arms signal to the impact area officials. At the end of the competition, the chief judge should place a cone in the ring or at the foul line of the javelin runway.
Returning to the proper position
After each throw all officials involved in the measuring process need to return to their proper position before the next thrower can get started. For officials in the impact area, this means sizing up the next thrower and working together to determine where each official should be located.
Between flights
Between flights, the tape puller and the primary marking judge should get the twists out of the measuring tape. By starting from the reel and walking out toward the zero point, the job can be done quickly if the marking judge takes the zero end of the tape off the measuring cane. If the measuring tape is fastened to the measuring cane with tape, it may be easier to reverse the procedure and straighten the measuring tape from the measuring cane in to the reel.
If possible, any problem areas in the impact area should be smoothed out between flights. Once warm-ups have started for the next flight, the officials should help retrieve the implements while keeping security and safety precautions in mind.
After competition
The chief judge should let all officials know that the event has concluded and place a cone in the circle or at the foul line of the runway. The marking judge should detach the tape from the measuring cane and help the tape puller reel it in. If the tape is wet or muddy, it should be pulled through a towel as it is being reeled in. All officials should help to clean up the venue and see that all equipment is properly returned to its rightful place.
In some events, the implements may be signed out by the participants. In other events, the implements may have to be returned to Weights and Measures for later distribution to athletes.
{picture}
D. MEASURING OF THROWS WITH AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE When electronic measuring is utilized for an event, the process is a bit different. The circle/runway officials will have to follow the direction(s) of the Electronic Measurement official(s) as to the correct procedure(s) to follow. Generally, the circle/runway judges will not enter the ring or the runway areas during competition as the electronic
measurement official will have already made the necessary set-up measurements prior to the commencement of the competition. Circle/runway judges and impact area judges may be needed to assist in this preliminary work.
The marking judge will use a measuring cane with a prism device attached near the bottom of the cane. The marking judge must make certain that the measuring cane is perpendicular to the impact area by using the leveling bubble on the top of the measuring cane and that the prism is facing the electronic measurement tripod/transit.
E. CHECK QUESTIONS:
1. You are working in the impact area of the discus throw. When the discus is thrown, due to a cross-wind, the implement is coming directly at you. In order to avoid being struck, you should:
A. backpedal away from the implement. B. Run forward toward the ring/circle
C. Run at a ninety degree angle away from your present postion. D. Do nothing and hope that the implement will miss you.
Answer: C Run at a ninety degree angle away from your present postion.
2. You are assigned to a meet at a location that you have never been to before. You should: A. Call your assigner to find out what other officials from your area have also been assigned
to the meet to arrange a carpool.
B. Consult Mapquest (www.mapquest.com) for the driving directions to the meet or input the address into your Global Positioning System.
C. Plan to arrive at least 30-45 minutes before the scheduled start of the meet. D. Do nothing and wait for someone to contact you.
Answer: A, B, and C.
3. You are the second official working the ring (circle) in the shotput. When the competitor makes a throw, you should:
A. Watch the competitor’s feet to make sure that there is not a foot foul. B. Watch to see where the implement lands
C. Locate the place on the flight sheet where you will write the results. D. Tell the competitor, “Nice throw”.
Answer: A. Watch the competitor’s feet to make sure that there is not a foot foul. 4. You arrive at a men’s and women’s collegiate invitational meet and are assigned to officiate the hammer throw along with several student volunteers. When you arrive at the hammer ring, you notice that the netting around the ring has several holes in it and is hanging two to three feet below the top of the cage. You should:
A. Conduct the events as scheduled.
B. Try to repair the holes in the netting and raise the netting to the proper height using the pulleys and ropes, if it can be done quickly.
C. Notify meet management that the event will not be held until the hammer cage netting has been repaired.
D. Find the referee responsible and advise the referee of the situation.
Answer: B, if not immediately repairable, then D. If referee is not available, then C.
5. You are assigned to be the primary marker in the javelin throw at a high school conference meet. Your duties would include:
A. Calling a foul when the javelin lands flat or tail first.
B. Watching the flight of the implement and noting very carefully where the javelin first contacts the impact area.
C. Moving to the mark, removing the javelin from the ground, and placing your marking cane at the mark closest to the scratch line.
Answer: First B, then C.
6, List the minimum equipment that an official working a throws’ event might reasonably be expected to have.
Answer: (Digital stopwatch, marking cane, marking tape with both imperial and metric markings, clipboard with rainproof cover, personal raingear, writing implement(s), applicable rulebook(s), flags (yellow, red, white), yellow highlight marker, white athletic or duct tape, a small pin or stake to mark record throws)
7. According to the flight sheet, a competitor’s throw has exceeded the NCAA national record. You are using a fiberglass tape to measure the throws. In what order would you do the following?
A. Call for the appropriate referee and obtain a steel tape if you do not already have one available.
B. Immediately tell the primary marker to hold the mark.
C. Record the mark on the flight sheet and note that it may be a new record. D. Suspend competition until the mark is certified by three officials. If this will
unreasonably delay the competition, carefully place a small stake at the location of the mark.
Answer: B, C, A, D.
8. You are assigned to assist at a throwing event in a championship meet. When you arrive at the meet, what should you do first?
A. Find the refreshment tent so you can get your coffee and Danish before they are all gone.
B. Report to the meet director to find out your assignment.
C. Go sit in the stands and wait until someone notices that you are there.
D. Sit in your car until the meet starts, then go to one of the event venues and offer to help out.
Answer: B. Report to the meet director to find out your assignment.
9. You are measuring throws in the impact area of a high school discus competition. You notice on the first throw of the second round that the official measuring the throws at the ring calls out a mark as, “ fifty three feet, six and one quarter inches. What should you do?:
A. Ask for the competition to be suspended temporarily and quietly, out of the hearing of the competitors and spectators, ask the official doing the measuring what system of measurement (s)he is using. If necessary, tell the official that the measurement should be to the closer lesser inch.
B. Call into the official at the ring that the measurement should be to the closer lesser inch.
C. Mind your own business because the official at the ring has been a throws official for twenty-five years.
D. Wait until the competition is over and tell the official in charge that (s)he was using the wrong measurement system.
10. After a throws competition is finished, what steps should you take before leaving the meet site?
Answer: (Announce the unofficial results of the competition; turn in the results to the appropriate person (referee, meet director, results tent or room); return all equipment supplied by meet management to the proper location or individual; police the competition area; collect all of your equipment, clean it and store it properly; check with the officials’ coordinator/referee/meet director to see if your assistance is needed elsewhere; thank the appropriate persons for the privilege of officiating at the meet.)
APPENDIX
Site Check List
1. Examine all field event areas for overlaps with other competition areas including running lanes.
2. Examine the sectors where implements will land.
3. Examine all rings / runways and equipment for the competition. 4. Examine all implement cages and their positioning.
5. Check all implement impact surfaces.
6. Examine position and brightness of lights if competition involving field events will be held at night.
7. Determine availability of health-care professionals for meet sufficient for needs of the meet.
8. Have hydration stations properly maintained. Chief Judge or designee:
Upon arrival at officials tent
Determine who field referee is
Find the event sheets for the event
Determine how many flights will be needed if not already indicated by meet management
Determine how many competitors will advance to finals
Determine if measurement will be manual or electronic
Determine if measurement will be metric or imperial
Determine location of event if unfamiliar with meet venue
Determine the number of throws to be allowed in preliminaries and finals
Determine if a minimum distance has been set for legal throws
Determine how legal implements have been marked by implement inspector
Determine meet record and write down on event sheet(s)
Determine start time of event
Determine time to start warm-up period and length of warm-up(s)
Plan to be at event venue 45-60 minutes before warm-up period starts
Determine availability of medical personnel
Check procedures for check-in of competitors (at event venue or at clerks’ tent)
Check procedures for competitors arriving after start of competition
Determine who will announce first, second, and third calls for event and how they will be coordinated
Determine who will get final results when finished
Determine where needed equipment may be located and where to return equipment when competition is over
Carry needed equipment to venue. Upon arrival at event venue
Take inventory of the equipment that you have and need
Acquire any equipment still needed
Set up staging/seating area for competitors on left of circle/runway
Set up implement return lane
Set up chairs and tents as needed for competitors and officials
Clean up and dry off ring/runway
Check stability/condition of ring/condition of runway
Mark center of ring/runway arc
Mark back/front of ring/extension of foul line with tape/spray paint if not already marked
Place cone in center of ring/at foul line arc
Attach tape to measuring cane and note zero point
Lay out measuring tape along right sector line
Let other officials know how legal implements are marked and to check them as they work
Remind other officials that safety and security of competitors, themselves, and spectators is utmost priority
Print names of other officials on the back of the event sheet or on separate piece of paper
Assign duties to other officials Checking in throws event competitors
Make certain first call for the event has been made
Highlight with marker or circle competition order number as the athletes check in (It is helpful to place event sheets side by side if there are multiple flights)
Obtain pronunciation of each athlete’s name (write in phonetic spelling for difficult names)
Check athlete’s uniform and competition number
Check for jewelry (National Federation meet)
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
Let athlete know where the implement return lane is located
Let athlete know the number of flights and his/her flight and competition order
Let the athlete know the number moving on to the finals
Find out and record other events that s/he will be in
Explain procedure if s/he is not at venue when called up to Throws event warm-up period
Make certain that second call for the event has been made
Check in competitors on all event record sheets
Remove the cone from the center of ring or foul line of runway
Announce start of general warm-up period
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 by returning implements promptly during warm-up period
Maintain safety within the venue
Check to see that legal implements are being used
Announce the end of general warm-ups and the start of flight specific warm-ups
Announce periodically 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
Sweep ring or runway
Place cone in center of ring or at foul line of runway Starting competition
Call all competitors in all flights together:
Make final check-in of competitors. Ask if anyone’s name was not included
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 throws are allowed in trials and finals
Explain how finalists will be announced (at venue, over public address system, et cetera)
Explain the time limit and when competitor’s time will start
Explain use of yellow flag
Go over major fouls with demonstration, if needed
Explain if performances within a minimum distance are not to be measured
Go over rules for passing a throw
Announce order of competition for each flight while confirming other events entered by each competitor
Provide the meet record for the event
Encourage competitors to remain in staging area
Ask if there are any questions
Position all officials
Remove cone from center of ring/foul line of runway
Mark the start time on the event sheet
Call up the first competitor
After flight one is completed, allow flight two warm-ups to begin
During each flight warm-up period, recorders should verify each competitor’s marks and circle the competitor’s best effort
After the completion of the last flight, determine, confirm, then announce finalists in reverse order of best performance
Allow finalists to warm-up (This may not be necessary if all finalists are from last flight to complete. This is a meet management decision)
After completion of competition
Mark the end time on the event sheet
Place cone in center of ring or foul line arc
Determine the place of each competitor (In some cases, only the place of each finalist may have to be determined.)
Complete the event sheet after recorders have confirmed final standings
Have appropriate officials sign the event sheet and provide their USATF certification numbers, if applicable (Event chief, ring judge, recorder(s), marking judge)
Turn the signed event sheet over to head field judge or field referee
Retain any extra record sheets for possible questions that may arise
Clean up venue by removing tape and trash
Thank other officials for their assistance
Return equipment and unclaimed implements to the proper location
Basic and optional equipment {picture of array of basic equipment} Basic:
(official – supplied by official, if possible)
Straight broom and/or push broom (mm) Chairs (mm)
Clipboard(s) (official)
Tent or shelter for officials/competitors (if available) (mm)
Flight sheets (mm)
Red (2), white (2), and yellow (1) flags (official) Highlight markers (yellow preferred) (official) Pencils (official)
Applicable rule book (official) Measuring cane /stick (official)
Fiberglass and/or steel tape measure - at least 200 feet (or more) in imperial and metric (official)
Optional: {picture of array of optional equipment} (mm – supplied by meet management)
(official – supplied by official, if possible)
The Big Gold Book (or Green or Red) – to translate from metric to imperial or vice-versa (official)
Clear plastic cover for clipboard(s) or Weatherwriter™ – in case of rain (official)
Stop watch (official)
White duct tape or athletic tape (official)
Towel(s) – Large for drying off shoes before entering ring/runway and small for drying off implements (mm)
Traffic cone for ring/runway (mm)
Trash bag(s) (mm)
Chair in a bag for comfort and to use while doing paperwork (official)
Definitions:
A trial is an attempt in a field event
A flight is a round of trials in a preliminary or qualifying competition for a group of contestants A foul throw is one which is counted as a trial but
General rules:
1. If there are more than 8 (USATF) or 9 (NCAA) competitors, there are usually three preliminary rounds and three additional final rounds
2. To be eligible for finals, a competitor must have at least one legal attempt. One more competitor than scoring places will qualify for finals, although this may be altered by meet management or the rule book governing competition. If there are ties, all competitors tying for a qualifying place advance to finals in high school and college. Under USATF rules, the tie must be broken. Competitors throw in reverse order of performance, the best thrower throwing last.
3. Under USATF and NCAA rules, if there are 8 (USATF) or 9 (NCAA) or fewer competitors, all are allowed six attempts if one of the first three attempts is made, even if none of the first three attempts are fair throws.
4. In certain meets, the games committee may allow competitors just four trials, all finals
5. Under high school rules, if a qualifying contestant withdraws from competition in the finals, no substitute may replace the withdrawn contestant
6. Winning performances can be from preliminaries or finals
7. Breaking ties: a higher place is awarded to the tied competitor with the second best performance, et cetera
8. The implements must be checked and weighed
9. In all throwing events, a competitor who has not otherwise committed a foul may interrupt a trial once started, may lay the implement down inside or outside the circle or runway before returning to the runway or a stationary position in the circle, and begin a fresh trial. When leaving the circle, the competitor must leave from the back half. This must occur within the one minute time limit allowed. 10.The time limit for USATF, NCAA, and National Federation is sixty seconds. If
no time clock is available within the competitors’ view, an official will mark the time using a yellow flag. In both NCAA and USATF, a yellow flag warning is given fifteen seconds before the one minute time period expires. Yellow flag warnings may be supplemented by a verbal warning, such as, “Fifteen seconds.” 11. There is no flag warning given in high school competition, however a verbal
warning should be given
12.In order to obtain a better grip, competitors may use a suitable substance on their hands only. In the shotput, a suitable substance may also be applied to the shot and neck area
13.Competitors may not spray or spread any substance within the circle or on their shoes.
14. Hammer and discus competitions must be from an enclosure or cage that meets USATF, NCAA, or National Federation rules to ensure the safety of spectators, officials, and competitors. If the cage/enclosure does not meet the
specifications set forth in the applicable rule book, the competition shall not be held
15. In NCAA and USATF, a throw is valid even if the implement has contacted the cage as long as the implement initially lands within the legal impact area. In high school, the discus throw is a foul if it touches the cage.
16. Implements may be provided by the games committee. If individual implements that meet specifications are allowed, they lose their identity during the
competition and may be used by all competitors. In youth rules, an exception is made for privately owned javelins. In masters’ rules, privately owned implements may be used by other competitors only with the owner’s permission.
Measurement
17.A foul throw or put is not measured but counts as a trial
18.In the discus, shotput, weight throw, and hammer throw, the measurement of each throw shall be made from the nearest mark made by the fall of the shot, discus, or head of the weight/hammer to the inside of the circumference of the circle along a line from the mark to the center of the circle. The zero end of the tape marks the location of the implement and the tape is pulled through the center of the circle to the back edge of the circle.
19.In the javelin throw, the measurement of each throw shall be made from where the tip of the metal head first struck the ground to the inside edge of the arc along a line from the point of fall to the center of the circle of which the arc is a part (Youth and high school exception: the measurement is made from the first point of contact [tip, grip, or tail])
20.Implements must be carried back to the runway or the circle and never thrown back
21.USATF, IAAF, NCAA: All implements - the measurement is made to the next lesser centimeter. High School- Discus throw and javelin- the measurement is made to the next lesser inch. The shotput is measured to the next lesser quarter of an inch.
22.In the shotput, discus, weight throw, hammer throw, and javelin, taping the wrist is permissible. In the hammer throw and weight throw, gloves may be worn or tape may be wound around individual fingers to form a glove-like covering. In the shotput, discus, and javelin, gloves may not be worn and tape may not be worn on the hand except to cover an open wound
23.An attempt is unsuccessful if:
1. The competitor does not start from a stationary position within the circle.
2. The competitor touches the top of the iron band or stopboard or the painted circle during his/her attempt or touches with any part of his/her body the surface outside the circle.
3. The competitor does not leave the circle through the back half or the javelin runway behind the scratch line extended.
4. The competitor leaves the circle or runway before the implement has landed
5. The implement lands on the sector line or outside the sector. Sector lines are out of
weight or the tail of the javelin may be outside the sector
6. The competitor uses an illegal implement 7. The competitor does not initiate a trial within
the time limit operable for the event. {video of proper & improper techniques for each event}
Shotput
The shot shall be put from the shoulder with one hand only. At the time the competitor takes a stance in the ring to commence a put, the shot shall touch or be in close proximity to the neck or chin, and the hand shall not be dropped below this position during the act of putting. The shot must not at any time be brought below the line of the shoulders.
Hammer throw
24.The competitor in the starting position, prior to the preliminary swings or turns, is permitted to rest the head of the hammer on the ground outside or inside the circle. In making a throw, the competitor may choose to assume any starting position and shall use both hands, holding the hammer exclusively by the grip. 25.It shall not be considered a foul if the head of the hammer touches the ground or
the surface of the circle or the top of the iron band when a competitor makes preliminary swings or turns.
26.If the hammer breaks during a throw or while in the air, it shall not count as a throw provided the attempt was made in accordance with the rules. In the event that the competitor thereby loses his/her balance and commits a foul, it shall not be charged
27.Gloves are permitted, but fingertips must be exposed Weight throw
28.In making a throw, the competitor may assume any starting position and shall use both hands, holding the weight exclusively by the handle
29.Otherwise, the rules for the weight throw are the same as those for the hammer throw
Javelin throw
30.The javelin must be held by the grip with one hand only so that the little finger is nearest to the point and the thrower’s last contact with the javelin shall be with the grip.
31.At no point after preparing to throw until the javelin is in the air may the competitor turn completely around so that his/her back is towards the throwing area. The javelin shall be thrown over the shoulder or upper part of the throwing arm and may not be slung or hurled.
32.The point of the javelin must fall completely within the inner edges of the lines marking the sector
33.In USATF and NCAA, no throw shall be valid or counted in which the tip or the point of the metal head does not strike the ground before any other part of the javelin, or where the competitor touches with any part of the body or limbs the arc as marked or the lines drawn from the extremities thereof at right angles to the parallel lines, or the ground beyond the arc or such lines. In high school and USATF youth rules, the javelin does not have to touch point first
34.Competitors may not touch or cross either of the parallel lines until the javelin has been thrown and has landed. The competitor must then exit the runway behind the lines drawn at a right angle from the parallel lines and behind the foul line 35.If a javelin breaks at any time during the course of a throw, it shall not count as a
trial provided the throw was made in accordance with the rules
36.If a thrower improperly releases a javelin in making an attempt, it shall be recorded as a foul and not measured
37.No marks may be placed on the runway, but a competitor may place one or two markers along the runway. If such markers are not supplied by the games committee, a competitor may use adhesive tape, but not chalk or similar substance, a shoe, or anything that leaves indelible marks
Discus throw
38.A legal throw is one that is thrown from the circle into the legal sector. The competitor must start from a stationary position in the circle.
SAMPLE FLIGHT RECORD SHEET Even t 39 - NCAA Women’s Hammer Throw Finals
American Record 73.87 06.25.05 Erin Gilreath NYAC College Record 72.94 04.13.07 Jenny Dahlberg Georgia NCAA Meet 70.72 06.08.07 Jenny Dahlbert Georgia
Drake Stadium 72.51 2007 Brittany Riley Southern Illinois
Attempt 1 Attempt 2 Attempt 3 Attempt 4 Attempt 5 Attempt 6 Best Place Loren Groves Kansas State Ff Ft 63.08 3 64.12 Fs Ff 64.12 5 Laci Heller Kansas State 58.37 59.76 59.47 - - - - 59.47 - Kristen Callan VA Tech 61.22 60.26 60.40 2 60.40 61.81 62.73 62.73 9 McKenzie Garberg WSU 64.09 62.16 F 6 61.71 63.08 58.69 64.09 6 Kate Burton Wyoming Fs 58.95 60.66 - - - - 60.66 - Sarah Stevens Arizona State 63.10 63.19 Ff 4 Fs 66.37 Ff 66.37 3 Eva Orban USC 68.27 68.71 Ff 9 Fs 67.05 Ff 68.71 1 Veronica Jatsek Ohio State 58.29 58.76 Fs - - - - 58.76 - Stevi Large Akron 60.86 60.40 Fs 1 Ff 59.35 62.88 62.88 8 Brittany Pryor VA Tech 65.26 Ff Ff 8 Fs Fs 67.44 67.44 2 Brittany Riley So. Illinois 57.66 63.42 Fs 5 Ff 60.12 62.73 63.42 7 Jessica Pressley Ariz. State Fs 62.46 64.13 7 Fs 63.24 65.28 65.28 4
Helpful Resources:
- National Federation of High Schools Rule Book, Case Book, Officials’ Manual - National Collegiate Athletic Association Rule Book
- United States of America Track and Field Competition Rules
- International Association of Athletics Federation Competition Rules
---WWW.USATF.ORG website (Go to Resources for Officials) 2008 NCAA Rules Update Clinic – Mark Heckel
Protocols to Minimize Injury, Death, and Bad Results at the Courthouse – J. Shelby Sharpe
Throws Officials Assignments and Positions
The Throwing Officials’ Manual – George Kleeman
- WWW.USATF.ORG website (Go to under Resources for Officials - Training Center) Download latest rulebook for NFHS, NCAA, USATF, and IAAF
- The Ring Blog (www.effortlessthrow.org)
- Basic Principles of Track & Field Officiating – Robert Podkaminer (A set of cards with “quick and dirty” overview of officiating in general for both NCAA and USATF.)
(rpodkam@aol.com)
MF athletics for equipment and supplies (www.mfathletics.com)
The material in this training module is derived primarily from the work that Duncan McGregor prepared for a Throws Clinic given on 11 February 2007. A more lengthy treatment of how to officiate the throws portion of a Track and Field meet may be found on the Officials’ page of the USATF website
(www.usatfofficials.com/training/Monograph-ThrowingOfficials(2007).pdf) in the work
done by George Kleeman.
Submitted by: Ollie R. Bunch, 441 Stub Hollow Road, New Hartford, CT 06057-2513 (e-mail: orbunch@netscape.net
