Nessie Harris nharris@schsl (803) 603-1796 (cell) (803) 798-0120 (office)

1. Nessie Harris nharris@schsl.org (803) 603-1796 (cell) (803) 798-0120 (office) www.nfhs.orgwww.nfhslearn.org

2. 2011 Track and Field and Cross Country Rules Changes Major Editorial Changes Points of Emphasis

3. 2011 NFHS Track and Field Publication Corrections Rules Book Page 31 – Rule 5-3-7, Notes 1 2nd line change (30 centimeters) to (20 centimeters) Page 55 – Rule 7-5-8, 3rd line landing box should be 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)

4. 2011 NFHS Track and Field Publication Corrections 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

5. Meet DirectorRule 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

6. Meet DirectorRule 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

7. Jewelry ProhibitedRules 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 worn under the uniform and taped to the body • a watch worn around the wrist • unadorned devices such as bobby pins and flat clips (no longer than two inches) worn to control the competitor’s hair

8. Jewelry ProhibitedRules 4-3-3, 9-6-3, Penalties • Penalty for wearing jewelry in track and field or cross country has 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 the violation and warning

9. Jewelry – Medical AlertsRules 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

10. Jewelry – Medical AlertsRules 4-3-3a, 9-6-3a • Medical alert bracelets made of pliable material are not required to be taped to the body

11. Jewelry – Medical AlertsRules 4-3-3a, 9-6-3a • Metal medical alert bracelets and all medical alert necklaces shall always be taped to the body

12. Hair DevicesRules 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

13. Hair DevicesRules 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 • These items, when legal, are not considered jewelry

14. Braces, Concussion Management and ModificationsRules 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

15. Concussion ManagementRule 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”

16. Order of Competition in Throwing and Jumping Event PreliminariesRules 6-2-6, 7-2-6 • 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 Preliminary Competition

17. Meet Equipment MalfunctionRule 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

18. High Jump/Pole Vault Crossbar PlacementRules 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

19. Pole Vault Warm-upsRule 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

20. Pole Vault Warm-upsRule 7-5-16 • When more than one competitor is entering at the same height and has not previously entered the competition, warm-up periods are added together • 2 competitors entering = 4 minutes • 3 competitors entering = 6 minutes

21. Pole VaultRule 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

22. 2011 Major Editorial Changes

23. Major Editorial Changes • Rules 3-2-4p, 3-2-7, …assist in the final decision 3-9-6 of place finish in a race Video replay or television monitoring equipment, other than the official finish line equipment… …a review of official pictures/video of the finish to assist in the final decision of place finish in a race.

24. Major Editorial Changes • Rules 3-8, 3-9 Reorganized the rules regarding finish judges and timers when using fully automatic timing and when using manual timing • Rule 4-3-1b new 8, Added language to clarify NOTE, 4-3-1c(7) requirements on colors for NOTE visible undergarments • Rule 5-5-7 All sections for an event shall use the same starting procedure

25. Major Editorial Changes • Rule 5-9 Moved the definition of interference into a new section, Infractions for All Races, from its previous location in 4-5-3 • Rules 6-2-7, 7-6-13 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 • Rule 7-6-11 Article 10 from 2010 was split and a new Article 11 was created. In both preliminaries and finals, trials may be taken in succession…

26. 2011 Points of Emphasis

27. Points of EmphasisExcused 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 length of excused time and procedure to coaches and officials • Coaches have the responsibility to communicate this information to their competitors • Event judges must be knowledgeable of their responsibilities and authority to adjust competition for competitors being excused for another event • Equally important is coaches have educated their athletes on options for change in order of competition or trials in succession • 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

28. Points of EmphasisDiscus 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 staff to keep this venue up to date with the cage design, construction and material

29. Points of EmphasisPreventive 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 coach and competitor

30. Points of EmphasisPreventive 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 hopefully 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

31. Unsportsmanlike Conduct Any action(s) that warrants a coach(es) ejection will subject the coach(es) to a minimum next game suspension and the school to a minimum fine of $100. Ejections that subject a player to a next game suspension will result in a minimum of suspension of two (2) games for all sports except football and lacrosse. (i.e. flagrant fouls, malicious contact, spiting, biting, fighting, disrespectfully addressing officials, profanity)