Chicago Public Schools Elementary Track and Field

1. Hanson Stadium Layout – 5501 W. Fullerton Chicago Public Schools Elementary Track and Field

2. Distances – Hanson and Eckersall Stadiums have 400m ovals. We compete in the following races: 100m – consists of the straight located on the west side of the track. ¼ of the track 200m - ½ lap 400m – 1 lap 800m – 2 laps 1600m – 4 laps The event distance is listed next to the starting line of the event. Chicago Public Schools Elementary Track and Field 200m 100m FinishLine 400m, 800m, 1600m

3. Relay Exchanges 4x100 – The 4x100m Relay consists of 4 runners each approximately running 100m with a baton. The baton is passed inside “exchange zones” painted on the track. The zones are 20m long and are delineated by two triangles. The point of the first triangle is facing up the track and the point of the second triangle faces down the track. Chicago Public Schools Elementary Track and Field Zone 2 Zone 3 Zone 1 Finish Line

4. Stagger and Waterfall – The 200, 400, 4x100 Relay, and Sprint Medley will each have staggered starting lines to accommodate the distance around the oval. It may look like the athlete in lane 8 is starting in front of the athlete in lane 1 but the markings on the track take into account the different size of the oval in that lane so everyone gets a fair start. The waterfall start is used for the 800 and the 1600. Athletes will align at the start next to each other and after the race is started, each can break to the inside lane. Generally, the waterfall starting line is a line with a minor stagger or curve, right at the start. Chicago Public Schools Elementary Track and Field Example of a stagger Waterfall start, but with a slight curve

5. Relay Exchanges Sprint Medley – This is the newest race and is the substitute for the 4x200m relay. Two athletes will run 200m and two athletes will run 400m. This race combines sprint and elementary distance disciplines. There will be two exchange zones and the entire race will be 1200m or 3 laps. The first lap (two runners) will be run in the assigned lane , but after the baton is passed to the 3rd runner, that runner can “break” inside to the first lane as long as another competitor is not impeded. Chicago Public Schools Elementary Track and Field Zone 1 (Staggered) Start, Finish and Zone 2

6. Clerking Area – the clerking area is where athletes check in just before they run their race. Pre registration is preferred so that the clerk or meet administrator already has heat and lane assignments arranged. At the clerking area , there should be a “clerk” to assign students to a specific heat/section and give them a lane. Option 1 is located just off the finish line on the infield. At grass stadiums it may be more feasible to use option 2 which is just beyond the finish line. Others like this option because the student can actually stand in the lane where he/she will run. Some “clerks” may prefer to check athletes in at the starting line of the race. Chicago Public Schools Elementary Track and Field Option 1 Finish Line Option 2

7. Long Jump – the long jump area is located at the south end of the stadium at Hanson. It consists of a runway, jump boards, and a pit. Coaches who have athletes competing in this even should make sure that the pit is soft. A hard pit can easily be “turned over” and made soft with a spade bringing the dirt from the bottom to the top. The jump boards are the white strips inserted into the runway. Competitors should jump off of these boards into the pit. If the boards are too far away from the pit for some athletes, an alternative board can be taped onto the runway closer to the pit. Legal jumps are marked from the far edge of the jump board to the nearest mark in the sand (pit). An illegal jump is when the athlete jumps after crossing the far edge of the jump board. Whereas there are two pits at Hanson, we generally use the pit to the west of the stadium. Chicago Public Schools Elementary Track and Field

8. Chicago Public Schools Elementary Track and Field Shot Put – The shot put area at Hanson is located at the North east corner of the stadium. There is a circle, a toe board, and a sector which delineates the legal area. All puts are measured from the front of the toe board to the landing mark, as long as the put lands inside of the sector. Legal puts should come from the shoulder and neck, as opposed to a throw where the put leaves the shoulder. In other words on a legal put the elbow should follow the shot, whereas in an illegal throw, the elbow leads the shot. (Compare throwing action with putting action.) Competitors are allowed to use the toe board to “block” momentum, but they cannot step over it. Competitors should not be allowed or encouraged to take consecutive throws. Part of the competitive experience is seeing the efforts of other competitors and trying to best their.

9. High Jump – At Hanson Stadium, the high jump is contested at south end on what is called the “apron”, a rectangular patch of track on the turf. Athletes are allowed 3 attempts to clear the bar while jumping off of one foot at each particular height after. Many students are new to this event and try to clear the bar while jumping off of two feet. This is illegal and coaches are asked to inform athletes that this technique is not permissible. Whereas many schools do not have a pit, approach, take off, and plyometric drills can be practiced to aid in training for this event at your particular schools. If coaches feel that they have a student with a propensity to succeed in this event, they will be asked to look up video and find instruction articles online and otherwise find jumping opportunities for these athletes. Be careful not to submit athletes for this event who have no idea of what to do. Chicago Public Schools Elementary Track and Field

10. Elementary Track and Field Practice Plan Nomenclature: Jog, Half Speed, Hustle, Hair’s on Fire Date: ___________ Attendance 1. Warm-up: 5-10 min jog Stretch – Muscles from head to toe 2. Drills: and/or March High Knees Butt Kicks Striders Accelerators Calisthenics: Push-ups Sit-ups/crunches Jumping Jacks Burpees 3. Activities: and/or It Johnny Run Duck Duck Goose Shuttle Races Relay Races Baton Practice Starts Field Technique Workout: Sprint: Flat out runs Sprint Endurance: Hustle tempo over various distances with emphasis on the amount of rest. Endurance: Continuous movement at jog and/or half speed pace Comments:

11. Elementary Track and Field Practice Plan Nomenclature: Jog, Half Speed, Hustle, Hair’s on Fire Date: ___________ May 12, 2010 Attendance 1. Warm-up: 5-10 min jog Stretch – Muscles from head to toe 10 min jog around the park Head to toe stretch 2. Drills: and/or March High Knees Butt Kicks Striders Accelerators Calisthenics: Push-ups Sit-ups/crunches Jumping Jacks Burpees Group drills and exercises 10 push ups, 20 crunches, 25 Jumping Jacks Drills, 3 50yd Striders, 3 50 yd Accelerators 3. Activities: and/or It Johnny Run Duck Duck Goose Shuttle Races Relay Races Baton Practice Starts Field Technique Workout: Sprint Endurance 2 sets of 4 x 100m runs, 60 sec. rest at hustle tempo. 3 min rest between sets. Team duck duck goose Shot putters – 15 Burpees with push up Sprint: Flat out runs Sprint Endurance: Hustle tempo over various distances with emphasis on the amount of rest. Endurance: Continuous movement at jog and/or half speed pace Comments: