USA Track and Field National Officials Committee
Training Sub-committee
The Importance of Proper Set-up
in the High Jump
Mike Armstrong, Arkansas Association
A proper set-up helps produce …
• A safe
competition
• A legal
competition
• A fair
competition
Setting up the Pit
Size
• IAAF & USATF: 6.00m long by 4.00m wide by 0.712m
high. (IAAF 182.10; USATF 181.20)
• NCAA: 4.88m wide by 2.44m deep by 0.66m. The
landing-pad sections must be fastened together and
covered with a common top cover. (NCAA 2.5.1)
• NFHS: 16 ft. by 8 ft. by 18-24 inches. (NFHS 7.4.3)
Setting up the Pit
Position
• Wind
• Width & Length
• Surfaces
• Traffic
• “Reference
Points”
• Sight Lines
Setting up the Pit
Safety Issues
• Change of surface
• Condition of surface
• Curbing
• Obstacles
• Traffic
• Condition of Pad
• Signage
• Media
Indicator Line
A white line 50mm wide shall be drawn on the
ground (usually with adhesive tape or similar
material). The edge of the line nearest to the
take-off area is drawn along the vertical plane
through the edge of the crossbar nearest to the
take-off area, and extends for 3 meters on either
side of the uprights.
(IAAF 182.2.b; USATF 181.15.a)
Standards
Spacing
• Positioned so
that there is
clearance of at
least 10cm
between them
and the landing
area. (IAAF
182.10; USATF
181.10)
Standards
Spacing
• The distance between the uprights shall be 4.004.04m. (IAAF 182.6; USATF 181.13; NCAA 2.5.2) For
NFHS, at least 12 feet. (NFHS 7.4.5)
• A space of at least 1cm between the ends of the
crossbar and the uprights. (IAAF 182.9; USATF
181.17; NCAA 2.5.3)
• Make sure the standards are even with each other.
Standards
Verticality
• Screw all of the
adjusters all of
the way in.
• Using a level,
make sure
standards are
vertical.
Crossbar
Specifications
• Fiberglass or other suitable material, circular,
diameter at 3cm (± 1mm). (IAAF 181.7; USATF
181.11; NCAA 2.5.5; 2.5.6)
• The end pieces shall be hard & smooth, circular
or semicircular with one flat surface. (IAAF
181.7; USATF 181.12; NCAA 2.5.6)
Crossbar
Specifications
• The bar shall be 3.98- 4.02m in length. (IAAF
181.7; USATF 181.13; NCAA 2.5.6) NFHS, 12’ to
14’10”. (NFHS 7.4.6)
• The crossbar shall have no bias & shall sag a
maximum of 2cm. (IAAF 181.7; USATF 181.12;
NCAA 2.5.6)
Crossbar
Sag
• Determine the direction & amount of the “sag”
Crossbar
Sag
The value of sag “up”
• More uniform height
across the length of
the crossbar
• Slightly more “rubber”
on the supports
Crossbar
Sag
The value of sag
“down”
• Slightly more stable
crossbar when hit
• Fewer complaints and
less frustration among
athletes and coaches.
Crossbar
Label
• Record the sag
• Number bars in order of preference
Crossbar
Midpoint
Crossbar
Ends
• Align and mark
end pieces
(NCAA 6.5.2)
Crossbar
Ends
• Securing
the end
pieces (if
needed)
Have Extras
Standards
Calibration
Standards
Mark
• Once the
standards are
adjusted and
properly
spaced mark
their position
on the ground.
Standards
Mark
• Put down a
center point to
aid in measuring
and in
identifying the
plane of the
crossbar.
Runway
• Make sure it is clean, dry, and free from obstacles
• Wind indicator
• Markers
Athletes may use one or two markers. (IAAF 180.3.a;
USATF 180.19; NCAA 6.1.9.c)
For NFHS, games committee decision. (NFHS 7.4.7)
Runway
NCAA Specific:
• Approved by meet management & cover an area
not greater than 7cm x 15 cm. (NCAA 6.1.9.e)
• Shoes are not acceptable markers. (NCAA 6.1.9.e)
• The use of unacceptable material, after warning,
shall lead to disqualification. (NCAA 6.1.9.e)
Runway
NCAA Specific
• No mark within 2m of standards. (NCAA 6.5.5)
• After warm-ups but before the competition
begins, ask competitors to identify their two
marks and then remove all others. (NCAA 6.5.5)
• This restriction applies to practice, warm-up and
competition. (NCAA 6.1.9.e)