National Federation of State
High School Associations
2011 Track and Field
and Cross Country
Rules Changes
Major Editorial Changes
Points of Emphasis
Take Part. Get Set For Life.™
National Federation of State
High School Associations
Take Part. Get Set For Life.™
2011 NFHS Track and Field
Publication Corrections
Rules Book
 Page 31 – Rule 5-3-7 Notes 1 2nd line change 30cm to 20cm
 Page 55 – Rule 7-5-3, 3rd line landing box to plant box
 Page 70 – Rule 9-6-3 item d should be shaded
 Page 71 – Rule 9-7-4 should be (see 4-6-7)
Case Book
 Page 6 – 7.4.11 Situation, 2nd line should be “They are tied and both…”
 Page 86 – 7.5.29 Situation H, 1st line change valuter to vaulter.
Meet Director
Rule 3-3-1
 Identifies the meet director as the official
representative of the host meet management.
• Designates a specific person to serve as the
contact person for the host school to
guarantee competition will run smoothly.
• In the absence of a games committee, the
meet director performs duties assigned to the
games committee.
Meet Director
Rule 3-3-2
 It is the responsibility of the meet director to
handle:
• unsporting conduct by a spectator(s)
• other matters outside of the competition rules.
 If necessary, the meet director may designate
another representative of the host meet
management to serve as his/her designee for
these matters.
Meet Director
Rules 3-3-1, 2
Official
representative of
host meet
management
Responsible for
handling
unsporting
spectator
conduct
Meet Director
Responsible for
matters outside
of competition
rules
Meet Director
Rule 3-3-2
 It is the responsibility of the meet director or
his/her designee to address unsporting
conduct by a spectator.
Jewelry Prohibited
Rules 4-3-3, 9-6-3, Penalties
 Jewelry shall not be worn by competitors in
track and field or cross country.
 Items not considered jewelry include:
•
•
•
•
medical alert bracelets and necklaces
religious medals
a watch worn around the wrist (PIAA modification)
unadorned devices such as bobby pins and
flat clips (no longer than two inches) worn to
control the competitor’s hair.
Jewelry Prohibited
Rules 4-3-3, 9-6-3, Penalties
 Penalty for wearing jewelry in track and field or cross
country have been modified.
 When a meet official observes a competitor wearing
jewelry in track and field, the official shall:
• for the first violation, require the competitor to remove
the jewelry before further competition
• the team shall receive a team warning with notification to
the head coach by the referee
• subsequent violation by any team member shall result in
disqualification of the competitor from the event.
 The referee shall be notified of the violation by the
observing meet official and he/she has the
responsibility to notify the head coach of a the
violation and warning.
Jewelry Prohibited
Rule 4-3-3, Penalty
 If a competitor is observed wearing jewelry during
competition and this is the first violation by any team
member, the competitor is to remove the jewelry and the
team receives a warning from the referee to the coach.
Jewelry Prohibited
Rule 4-3-3, Penalty
 A subsequent violation of wearing jewelry by any member
of the team after a team warning shall result in
disqualification of the competitor from the event.
Jewelry Prohibited
Rule 9-6-3, Penalties
 When a meet official in cross country
observes a competitor wearing jewelry prior
to the start of the race, the official shall:
• notify the competitor and his/her coach to
remove the jewelry before being eligible to
compete
• by way of the referee, issue a team warning to
the coach that a second violation of the jewelry
rule by any team member during the race shall
result in disqualification of the competitor
Jewelry Prohibited
Rule 9-6-3, Penalties
 When a meet official in cross country
observes a competitor wearing jewelry during
the race, the official shall:
• notify the meet referee who shall issue a team
warning for the violation.
• if the school is entered in subsequent races of
the same gender, on the same day, a
subsequent violation shall result in
disqualification of the competitor involved.
Jewelry Prohibited
Rule 9-6-3, Penalties
 9.6.7 SITUATION: The first runner for Team A, No. 398,
crosses the finish line and is observed wearing an earring. At
the completion of the race, one of the course umpires reports to
the meet referee that Team A runner No. 395 was observed at
the halfway mark on the course wearing a bracelet. The meet
referee address the violation of Rule 9-6-3 with Team A’s coach
and a warning is issued, but neither runner is disqualified.
RULING: Correct procedure.
COMMENT: The wearing of jewelry is prohibited. For the first
violation, the team receives a warning by way of notifying the
coach. In cross country, it is not possible to issue a warning for
the one race in progress. However, if the school has other
levels of races for the same gender on the same day, any
further violations of 9-6-3 should result in a disqualification of
the competitor.
Jewelry Prohibited
Rules 4-3-3, 9-6-3, Penalties
 Important to practice preventive officiating. If
a competitor is observed wearing jewelry or
an illegal uniform prior to competition and can
be addressed by the official and make the
uniform legal or remove the jewelry without
delay, this is always a better situation for all
parties involved.
Jewelry Prohibited
Rules 4-3-3, 9-6-3, Penalties
Preventive
action
Jewelry
Legal for
competition
Jewelry – Medical Alerts
Rules 4-3-3a, 9-6-3a
 Changes the requirements while wearing a
medical alert bracelet to accommodate new
styles and materials.
• The alert should be visible
• When an alert medal is attached to:
• a bracelet made of metal or an unyielding
material, it shall be taped to the body
• a bracelet made of a pliable material, it is not
required to be taped to the body
• a necklace, it shall be taped to the body
Jewelry – Medical Alerts
Rules 4-3-3a, 9-6-3a
 Medical alert bracelets made of pliable
material are not required to be taped to the
body.
Jewelry – Medical Alerts
Rules 4-3-3a, 9-6-3a
 Metal medical alert bracelets and all medical
alert necklaces shall always be taped to the
body.
Hair Devices
Rules 3-2-4o, 4-3-3d, 9-6-3d
 Jewelry is prohibited from being worn in
competition and this includes various items worn
in the hair.
 Items such as rubber bands, cloth headbands or
scrunchies may be approved by the games
committee to control the hair and not considered
jewelry.
 The state association may develop an across the
board policy or interpretation on what is
considered jewelry and prohibited and what
would be acceptable for hair control.
Hair Devices
Rules 3-2-4o, 4-3-3d, 9-6-3d
 Unadorned devices, such as bobby pins,
barrettes and hair clips, no longer than 2
inches, may be worn to control the
competitor’s hair.
• Do not require action by the games committee
to be worn and are legal
• Are not considered jewelry
Hair Devices
Rules 4-3-3d, 9-6-3d
 Headband approved by games committee.
 Unadorned hair devices, such as bobby pins or
flat clips, no longer than 2 inches are legal.
• No games committee action needed
 The ultimate decision on hair devices and what
constitutes jewelry rests with the state
association.
Hair Devices
Rules 4-3-3d, 9-6-3d
Illegal
Legal
Braces, Concussion Management
and Modifications
Rules 4-4-1 thru 3
 Updates and clarifications, with assistance
from the NFHS Sports Medicine Advisory
Committee, were included in the rules.
•
•
•
•
Guards, casts, braces, splints
Artificial limbs
Concussion management
Modification of uniform/equipment for
disabilities.
Braces, Concussion Management
and Modifications
Rules 4-4-1 thru 3
 If a guard, cast, brace, splint, etc. (hard and unyielding items) is
worn by a competitor and determined by the referee padding is
required, it should be:
• closed cell, slow recovery foam
• no less than ½ inch in thickness.
 It is not likely the referee will frequently experience the need to
invoke this rule due to the nature of the sport.
 Should the referee have a need for clarification on a specific
item, the state association should be contacted for an opinion.
Braces, Concussion Management
and Modifications
Rule 4-4-2
 Includes a procedure to follow when
exceptions to the rules regarding uniform or
equipment are requested and considered by
the state association for medical or religious
reasons.
 Modifications, pending approval, shall require
a letter of authorization from the state
association.
 Letter of authorization shall be made
available to the meet referee prior to
competition.
Concussion Management
Rule 4-4-3
 Coaches, officials, athletes and parents
should become familiar with the signs,
symptoms and behaviors of a possible
concussion
 Each state association will develop a protocol
for handling removal and returning to
competition if an athlete displays concussion
symptoms as well as the definition of
“appropriate health-care professional”
Concussion in Sports
www.nfhslearn.com
Order of Competition in Throwing and
Jumping Event Preliminaries
Rules 6-2-6, 7-2-6
Preliminary Competition
 Head event judge may change the order of
competition to accommodate a competitor(s)
to be excused to participate in other event(s)
• Competitors may take more than one trial in
succession.
• If weather or other condition would result in
unfairness to any competitor, the referee shall
alter the plan and prescribe single trials in
prelims and finals.
Meet Equipment Malfunction
Rule 7-2-12
 In the high jump and pole vault, if improperly
fastened supports slip downward when a
jumper hits the crossbar and it is displaced, it
is no longer a failed attempt.
 The head judge of the event shall rule no
jump/vault.
 The jumper/vaulter is allowed another trial.
High Jump/Pole Vault
Crossbar Placement
Rules 3-2-3j, 7-4-11, 7-5-18
 Games committee establishes starting height and
successive heights of the crossbar in high jump and
pole vault.
 When only one competitor remains in the competition
and
he/she has been determined to be the event winner
then
the competitor may determine successive heights of
the crossbar.
High Jump/Pole Vault
Crossbar Placement
Rules 3-2-3j, 7-4-11, 7-5-18
 7.4.11 SITUATION: Two competitors remain in the high jump
competition. They are tied and both will be attempting 6 feet.
A1 misses on all three trials. B1 misses on his/her first two
trials. Before taking his/her third attempt, B1 requests the
crossbar be raised to 6 feet, 1 inch which would be a school and
meet record, if cleared. The head event judge denies the
request as B1 is not yet determined to be the winner of the
event.
RULING: Correct procedure.
COMMENT: Once B1 is
determined to be the event
winner, he/she may determine
successive heights of the
crossbar.
Pole Vault Warm-ups
Rule 7-5-16
 A competitor(s) who has passed three
consecutive heights and has not entered the
competition:
• should be permitted two minutes of warm-up
jumps per the number of competitors entering
at that height without the crossbar in place;
• shall enter the competition at that height;
• must take warm-up at a height change.
Pole Vault Warm-ups
Rule 7-5-16
 When more than one competitor is entering at
the same height, warm-up periods are added
together.
 2 competitors entering = 4 minutes
 3 competitors entering = 6 minutes, etc.
Pole Vault
Rule 7-5-29a NOTE
 Crossbar and/or uprights are placed
incorrectly by the officials and the crossbar is
displaced by the competitor:
• The trial is not recorded as a foul.
• The vaulter has an additional trial.
National Federation of State
High School Associations
2011
Major Editorial Changes
Take Part. Get Set For Life.™
Major Editorial Changes
 Rules 3-2-7, 3-2-4p,
3-9-6
Video replay or television
monitoring equipment, other
than the official finish line
equipment…
…assist in the final decision
of place finish in a race
a review of official
pictures/video of the finish to
assist in the final decision of
place finish in a race…
Major Editorial Changes
 Rules 3-8, 3-9
 Rule 4-3-1b new 8,
NOTE
 Rule 5-5-7
Reorganized the rules
regarding finish judges and
timers when using fully
automatic timing and when
using manual timing.
Added language to clarify
requirements on colors for
visible undergarments.
All sections for an event
shall use the same starting
procedure.
Major Editorial Changes
 Rule 5-9
 Rules 6-2-7, 7-6-13
 Rule 7-6-11
Moved the definition of
interference into a new section,
Infractions for All Races, from its
previous location in 4-5-3.
Standardized language in
throwing and jumping events
that the head event judge may
change the order of competition
for competitors being excused
for another event.
Article 10 from 2010 was split
and a new Article 11 was
created. In both preliminaries
and finals, trials may be taken in
succession…
National Federation of State
High School Associations
2011
Points of Emphasis
Take Part. Get Set For Life.™
Points of Emphasis
Excused Time from Field Events
 Games committee has responsibility to determine time limit and
procedure for competitors to be excused for another event.
 Good communication is essential to convey the time and
procedure to coaches and officials.
 Coaches have the responsibility to communicate this information
to contestants.
 Event judges must be knowledgeable of their responsibilities
and authority to adjust competition for competitors being
excused for another event.
 Equally important coaches have educated their athletes on
options for change in order of competition or trials in succession
are available to them.
 It is the responsibility of the competitor to be aware of and honor
the established time limit to be excused from an event to
participate in another.
Points of Emphasis
Discus Cage Guidelines
 The rules and guidelines for the discus cage have been a part of
the rules for many years.
 Schools, recognizing the risk minimization concerns with the
event, should have or upgrade their discus facilities to meet or
exceed the minimum requirements in the rules and the
guidelines.
 Athleticism of today’s discus throwers necessitate a cage that is
designed to provide protection for competitors, officials and
spectators in immediate throwing area.
 The cage material should be of heavy nylon material or other
shock absorbing material.
 The cage wings and height should provide protection based on
the improved athletic performances of today’s athletes.
 Coaches should work with their school to keep this venue up to
date with the cage design and material.
Points of Emphasis
Preventive Officiating
 All meet officials should review their
responsibilities before the competition.
 Key areas for the officiating team include how
they will communicate, how to handle and
record violations, protocol for jewelry or
uniform violations, and what checks will be
followed for each event for preventive
officiating.
 Ultimate responsibility for following jewelry
and uniform rule rests with the competitor and
coach.
Points of Emphasis
Preventive Officiating
 At times, the competitor is not in compliance, but with
some preventive officiating the competitor can
remove the jewelry or make the uniform legal without
delaying the meet and avoid an unnecessary
disqualification.
 The officials should have a routine to follow to be
certain, as a part of preventive officiating, they remind
and check competitors for jewelry or uniform issues
so they can be corrected before entering a penalty
phase.
 Goal of all involved is to have each athlete participate
and do so within the rules.
 Review when an event begins. (Rules 4-7-1 and 2)
Points of Emphasis
Concussion Management, Casts, Braces,
Prostheses and Blood on Uniform
 The NFHS Sports Medicine Advisory Committee has
been working with all sport rules committee to update
policies and position statements to be up to date with
current practices, braces/supports, knowledge of
concussions and proper management and other
matters relating to risk minimization for athletes.
 “Suggested Guidelines for Management of
Concussion in Sport” has been developed and
appears in Track and Field Rules Book.
 Addresses symptoms and behaviors of concussion,
sideline decision making and appropriate health-care
professional’s clearance for return to play.
Points of Emphasis
Concussion Management, Casts, Braces,
Prostheses and Blood on Uniform
 Rules have been included regarding casts,
braces supports and procedure if, in rare
occasions, they should be padded.
 Use of prostheses and the procedure to
handle bleeding and blood on uniforms are a
part of the rules.
 Coaches should be prepared along with the
health-care professionals to provide the
medical coverage needed in the event an
athlete becomes ill or is injured.
NFHS Track and Field
Pre-Meet Notes
NFHS Track and Field
Pre-Meet Notes
will be available online in
early December at
http://www.nfhs.org/track.aspx
NFHS Track and Field Pre-Meet
Notes is made possible
through the cooperative efforts
of the NFHS Track and Field
Rules Committee and USA
Track and Field Officials
Training Subcommittee
NFHS Officials Association Central Hub
www.nfhs.arbitersports.com
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NFHS Track and Field
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 The Rules Book,
Case Book, Officials
Manual and
Scorebook can be
ordered:
• Online at
www.nfhs.com
• By calling
1-800-776-3462