2018 USA TRACK & FIELD RULES OF COMPETITION CHANGES

1. 2018 USA TRACK & FIELDRULES OF COMPETITION CHANGES As Approved at the2018 USATF Annual MeetingColumbus, Ohio Prepared by Scott Rose USATF Ohio Association

2. Have a question about a NCAA Rule? Do you need an interpretation? Contact: Mark Kostek NCAA Men’s and Women’s Track and Field/Cross Country Secretary-Rules Editor kostekmt@gmail.com 515-208-8300 The N.O.C. Newsletter has a link to monthly rules interpretations. NCAA RULE CHANGES for 2018/2019

3. Clarification Field Event Timing for NCAA Events Field Event timing for the entirety of the 2019 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field season will remain as written in the chart located in Rule 6.1-6 on page 84 of the current season rule book. NCAA RULE CHANGES for 2018/2019

4. The IAAF Competition Rules 2018-2019 is now available for download at: http://www.iaaf.org/about-iaaf/documents/rules-regulations The N.O.C. Newsletter has a monthly IAAF rule interpretations. IAAF RULE BOOK

5. The USATF Rules Committee • 101Proposed Rule Changes were Reviewed • 3was Tabled • 14were Withdrawn • 11were Rejected • 20were Approved as Amended • 53were Approved as Submitted USATF RULE CHANGES

6. Important Clarification Before We Start Everything listed in this presentation is based on the final scorecard that was issued by the USATF Rules Committee. When the Final Draft of the 2019 Rule Book goes to the printer there will be a few “housekeeping,” renumbering or wording changes that might be made. These changes will not change the substance of the new rules. If you do not find things in the 2019 Rule Book, exactly the way they are listed here, they are likely just in another section of the same rule but “follow the Rule Book.” This is just an unofficial guide. This presentation used the “2019 USATF Rule Changes Made Simpler” document by Laurie Boemker, Officials Vice-Chair ~ Rules.

7. Item 1 and 2: Accepted Rule 10.2 (a) Topic: Standard Events at the Outdoor Open and Junior Championships Add Men’s Decathlon and Women’s Heptathlon to the list. Rule 11.2 (a) Topic: Standard Events at the Indoor Championships (Open or Junior) Add Men’s Heptathlon and Women’s Pentathlon to the list. *This simply corrects their omission and reflects current practice.

8. Item 3: Accepted Rule 21.1 Topic: Mountain/Ultra/Trail Running Championships Permission is restored to allow Junior Mountain and Trail Championships. * This simply reflects current practice.

9. Item 4: Accepted as Amended • Rule 141.1 • Topic: Description of the Age Changes Made in Some Classifications • Open Classification: • No minimum age in Men’s Track and Field, 14 or older in Women’s Track and Field on the day of competition, • XC and LDR, athletes must be 16 or older on the day of competition, • Race Walk, athletes must be 14 or older on the day of competition • Rule 141.2 • Topic: Changes to Age Limitations in Certain Competitions • For events longer than half marathon or one hour, the minimum age shall be 16. • For events longer than the marathon or two hours, the minimum age shall be 18. • * The rationale is the protection of younger athletes.

10. Item 5: Accepted Rule 141 Topic: Age Restrictions for USATF Qualifying Competitions When a USATF event is a qualifier for international competition, age restrictions may impact a classification and/or eligibility within the USATF competition. * This is a reminder that USATF and International Competition requirements can vary.

11. Item 6: Accepted as Amended Rule 143.2 Topic: Competing without a shirt in hot weather In addition to LDR, Road, Track, Mountain, and Trail are now included. This will be allowed with the approval of the Referee and Games Committee. * The rationale is that there is no reason to limit this to road races.

12. Item 7: Accepted Delete Rule 163.6(b), Add New Rule 180.11 Topic: Leaving the Competition Area A Competitor may not leave the immediate area of a field event during the progress of the competition unless the competitor has the permission of the Chief Judge and is accompanied by an official. Athletes excused to compete in other events need not be accompanied. If possible, a warning should first be given but for subsequent instances or in serious cases, the athlete should be disqualified. This needs to be in compliance with Rule 144, Assistance to Athletes. * The rationale is to separate running and field events and place language in the appropriate section of the Rule Book.

13. Item 8: Accepted as Amended Rule 164.4 Topic: Finish Line Requirements This makes the requirements for a finish line for events finishing outside of the stadium 5cm to 30cm in width and of a contrasting color from the surface of the finish area. Refer to rules 244.1 and256.2 for finish line requirements dealing with road races, cross country, mountain and trail. * The rationale is IAAF compliance and the creation of a consistent finish line definition.

14. Item 9: Accepted as Amended Rule 166.2 (h) Topic: Determining Heats and Advancement The TABLES in the Rule Book are changed and no longer include a six lane track. Part of this change is the addition of special tables for the 800, 1500, Steeplechase, 3000 and 5000. This gives the tables to be used in the absence of extraordinary circumstances or when tables are published and distributed no later than the start of any declaration period. For the Youth exception, see Rule 303.1 (i). For the Masters exception, see Rule 332.2 (k). * Meets selecting US Teams or when other factors such as time constraints, etc., exist, there is often a need to establish special procedures. Also, it is important to note the difference between races run in lanes versus non-lane events.

15. Item 10: Accepted as Amended New Rule 170.12 Topic: Shuttle Hurdle Relay This puts a definition of the Shuttle Hurdle Relay and how it is to be contested in the Rule Book. Companion Rules 170.1 and 332.2 (i) will be amended. For Masters Competition, the shuttle hurdle height, spacing and distance will be determined by the youngest member of the relay. * This definition has not been in the Rule Book for at least 15 years and should be.

16. Item 11: Accepted Rule 170.16 Topic: Retrieving A Dropped Baton This adds that an athlete may leave not just his or her assigned lane but also leave the track to retrieve a dropped baton. Rule 163.6 will NOTE the relay exception. * It is important to add this language to clearly note that this is not a disqualification.

17. Item 12: Accepted Rule 170.20 Topic: Additional Athletes for Relays The Games Committee may, in entry material state that more than two additional athletes may be used in relays after the relay has started in competition. * This adopts the IAAF modification made as of June 20th, 2018.

18. Item 13: Accepted Rule 180.9 (b)ii Topic: Breaking Ties When Two Flights are used in Vertical Events. Ties shall be broken, only as necessary, as determined by the Games Committee. * Situations can vary and it makes sense to give the Games Committee the power to act in the manner that they feel best serves the needs of the competition.

19. Item 14: Accepted Rule 180.10 (c) NOTE Topic: The Order Competitors Take Trials in the Final Round of Trials In Combined Events the Referee may allow a change in any round of trials. * This clarifies the Rule and more closely follows the language used in IAAF Rule 142.3.

20. Item 15: Accepted Rule 180.12 (a) NOTES Topic: Starting the Clock, or to Time Out and Call a Failure in a Field Event. Officials and Referees must be fully aware of the competition environment. This amendmentlists a number of factors (There could be others.) that should be considered when deciding to start the clock or to time out and call a failure. *When a trial begins needs better clarification. This is consistent with IAAF 180.17 and some USATF current practices.

21. Item 18: Accepted Rule 180.12 (e) Topic: Language Change in the Table re Initiating a Field Event Trial This replaces the word ‘competing’ with ‘remaining in the competition’ at the start of a round. *This language is thought to leave less room for misinterpretation.

22. Item 20: Accepted Rule 195.7 (b) and 195.7 (d) Topic: Connections in the Weight Throw Links may be connected to the head by a swivel, either plain or ball bearing, and the swivel is not considered an additional link. But using a swivel to connect the handle to the links is illegal. A protective sleeve may be used around the links and/or swivel. *This complies with WMA Appendix A.7.

23. Item 21: Accepted Rule 195.9 (NOTE) Topic: Maximum Diameter of the Indoor Weight Except for the 4K indoor weight, the maximum diameter will be 15mm larger than the maximum listed in the table which gives the outdoor weight specifications. *This complies with WMA Appendix A.7.

24. Item 24: Accepted Rule 230.1 (c) and 230.3 (f) Topic: The Chief Judge of the Race Walk This allows other competitions as determined by the Race Walk Committee, in addition to any International Selection Competition, to follow rules regarding the Chief Judge. *This rule conforms more closely to IAAF practice.

25. Item 25: Accepted Rule 230.3 (f) NOTE Topic: A Chief Race Walk Judge’s Red Card and a DQ The NOTE states that the Chief Judge may issue a red card during a race and also disqualify an athlete in the last 100m. *This stresses that these are two different calls based on different criteria and that a Chief Judge may make both on the same athlete in one race.

26. Item 26: Accepted Rule 230.3 (j) Pit Lane Considerations This adds that athlete who fails to remain in the Pit Lane for the applicable period of time shall be disqualified.” It also states, after a third Red Card if it is not practicable to use the Pit Lane, the referee shall add the appropriate amount of time and adjust the finish order, if needed. * This change adopts the IAAF modification made on March 5th, 2018.

27. Item 27: Accepted as Amended Rule 244.4 Topic: Finish Line When Using a Transponder on the Running Surface In events using a transponder reading device on the running surface, the device shall be of a color in contrast to the running surface and other parts of the device to indicate the finish line. *This agrees with the IAAF rule and helps create a consistent definition of the finish line.

28. Item 31: Accepted Rule 261.1 Topic: Setting National Records This refers to Open and Junior American Records and the requirement to be a US citizen at the time of the performance. *The intent here is to set out US requirements as they relate to IAAF requirements.

29. Item 32: Accepted Rule 261.1 Topic: National Records There will be specific Indoor and Outdoor National Records. *The intent is part of adopting the IAAF framework for records.

30. Item 34: Accepted Rule 261.4 Topic: National Records This updates the list of meets where the official meet results can be used by the appropriate Sport Committee (after the required doping tests have been received) as the basis for accepting a new record. *This allows records to be ratified between annual meetings, *It will increase opportunities for publicity and accelerate the payment of any record bonuses to athletes. *Also, these meets have sufficient oversight to make some current paperwork unnecessary.

31. Item 35: Accepted Rule 261.5 Topic: National Records for “Masters“ This updates the list of meets (in addition to those listed in item 34) where the official meet results, can be used as the basis of accepting a new Masters record. This Item also replaces World Masters Association with WMA which does not mean the same thing. The current wording is also wrong in that it implied that Regional and Association Championships were included and they are not. *This corrects some inaccuracies in the current Rule. *In addition, it follows the rationale used in Item 34 for Masters.

32. Item 39: Accepted Rule 302.3 (a) Topic: Entering a Youth Relay This says the procedure for entering a relay can be found in the Youth Training and Development Manual and in Meet Entry Information and deletes Youth Guide. * The Youth Guide is no longer published and has been replaced by the Youth Training and Development Manual.

33. Item 40: Accepted Rule 302.3 (d) Topic: Youth Relay Uniforms All participants on a team shall wear a top of the same color. At Regional and National Championships, tops and bottoms shall be the same color * This is clearer language. Also, replacing shorts with bottoms accommodates athletes whose religious beliefs do not allow them to wear shorts or briefs.

34. Item 41: Accepted as Amended Rule 302.4 (a) Topic: Specifications for Youth Hurdle Events The new chart establishes the specifications for all indoor hurdle events. * This gives the specifications for all current youth indoor hurdle events.

35. Item 44: Accepted Rule 303.1 (d) Topic: Advancement in the 800 at National Youth Championships Regardless of the number entered, the 800 will be contested as two rounds with the top 8 times advancing to the final. * This is the current and desired practice.

36. Item 45: Accepted Rule 303.1 (e) Topic: The 1500 at National Youth Athletics and Junior Olympic Championships For the 8 and under, 9-10, 11-12 divisions, the 1500 will be run as a timed final with no more than 18 per section. For 13-14 and older, the 1500 will be run in two rounds of no more than 18 per heat with the top 12 times advancing to the final. At Association and Regional Championships, the referee may allow more than 18 participants. * This is the current and desired practice.

37. Item 46: Accepted Rule 303.1 (f) Topic: Youth Events 2000 meters and longer The referee has the right to allow more than 24 participants per section. * This is the current and desired practice and NOT just for the National Championships.

38. Item 47: Accepted • Rule 303.1 (g) • Topic: The 100, 200, 400, 80H, 100H, and 110H at the National Junior Olympics • There will be three rounds. • FAT must be used. • 24 advance to the semi-final (The top 2 in each heat, the remaining by time) • Advancement from the semis (The top 2 in each heat, the remaining by time). • Lane Assignments will be ranked from each group of advancers in order by place and ranked by time, followed by those advancing by time only in rank order. • * This is the current and desired practice and is JUST for the National JO Championships.

39. Item 48: Accepted Rule 303.1 (h) Topic: The 200m Hurdles and 400m Hurdles at the National Junior Olympics Regardless of the number entered, these events will be contested as two rounds with the top 8 times advancing to the final. * This is the current and desired practice.

40. Item 49: Accepted Rule 303.1 (i) Topic: Forming Heats In Youth Athletics For events run partially or entirely in lanes when hand times are used the Guidelines in Rule 166.1 through 166.6 shall be followed. When FAT is used at meets other than the National Youth Championships the Tables provided “may” be used. * This rule is to provide guidance for those hosting events.

41. Item 50: Accepted Rule 303.2 (b) Topic: When Heats are Unnecessary in Youth Athletics At Association and Regional Championships and the National Youth Indoor and Outdoor Championship. When the number of competitors makes heats unnecessary, the event “may” be run as a final at the time scheduled for the heats. * This adds this option at all championship levels.

42. Item 51: Accepted Rule 303.4 Topic: Advancement at the National Youth Athletics Championships The range covered by the rule will now be 100m to 400m, not to 800m. * This is the current and desired practice.

43. Item 52: Accepted as Amended Rule 304.4 Topic: The Transponder/Chip System in Youth Cross Country The finish place recorded by the chip shall be official provided the finishing order is reviewed by a finish line imaging system to determine the order of finish for any questionable placing. *This recognizes that the torso is the deciding part of the body that determines finish position. When athletes are separated by more than 1/10 of a second, this is not an issue.

44. Item 54: Accepted Rule 305.2 Topic: Youth Indoor Championships Qualifying Procedures A huge amount of text has been eliminated. The new language: By December 31 of the year prior to the Indoor Championships, the Youth Athletics Executive Committee will distribute qualifying procedures for participation in the Youth Indoor Championships which may include participation in zone qualifying meets, achievement of verified standards, or participation granted by waiver. * This reflects that Youth no longer has funding for zonal indoor championship meets.

45. Item 55: Accepted Rule 306.1 (c) Topic: Junior Olympic Preliminary Meets An Association may host preliminary qualifying meets as long as eliminations are performed and athletes must advance and qualify for participation in the Association meet. * This clarifies the intent of preliminary meets. Associations should not be hosting mandatory meets for the Junior Olympic program if there is no benefit to the athletes who attend. More meets than necessary should not be required.

46. Item 56: Accepted as Amended Rule 306.1 (g) Topic: Athletes’ Affiliation within the Junior Olympic Program Once an athlete begins participation in the Junior Olympic Program, the following shall apply … Athletes who are unattached must remain unattached, Athletes who represent a club may not switch from one club to another, An athlete may withdraw their club affiliation and compete unattached. * This was formerly provided in the Youth Guide which no longer exists. An update will be placed in the Youth Training and Development Manual.

47. Item 57: Accepted as Amended Rule 306.1 (e) Topic: Advancement to National JO’s due to Extraordinary Circumstances The request shall be made in writing to the Association Youth Chair, who shall then submit it to the Regional Coordinator, who shall then submit it to the Zonal Representative, who shall then submit it to the Youth Athletics Executive Committee. * This clarifies how the request needs to be submitted and will be processed.

48. Item 58: Accepted Rule 306.1 (f) Topic: Advancement to the Regional Junior Olympic Meet for those who miss the Association meet due to extraordinary circumstance if such action would exceed the Association’s allocation to the Regional meet. The advancement should not displace someone who qualified at the Association meet. It will be allowed for above athlete(s) if all the Associations in the Region agree. * This clarifies how the request will be allowed.

49. Item 59: Accepted Rule 306.2 (b) Topic: Youth National Heptathletes and Decathletes advancing to National JO’s This adds the above to the list of events eligible for automatic advancement. * This would not displace any Regional Qualifier. Also, three Heptathlons or Decathlons in a one month period is not desired for any Youth Athlete.

50. Item 60: Accepted Rule 302.6 (d) Topic: Qualifiers from Regional to National Junior Olympics There is a performance standard only in the Combined Events. Also, the number to qualify from Regional Meets is fixed. No alternates may advance. * This clarifies that move ups are not allowed.