By Cinthia Rico
The National Federation of State High School Associations announced two additional starting infractions for the 2024 season in an effort to more precisely distinguish false starts in high school track and field competitions last week.
In Rule 5-7-4c, the previous language which required participants to remain motionless after assuming the set position prior to the starting device being fired, has been replaced with the following:
“If a runner leaves their mark with a hand or foot after the ‘set’ command but before the starting device is fired.”
In addition, a new violation in (d) calls for a violation “if a runner leaves their mark with a forward motion without the starting device being fired.”
The change to rules relating to false starts was one of 11 amendments recommended by the NFHS Track and Field Rules Committee at its Jun. 12-14 meeting in Indianapolis.
Additionally, a newly added NOTE to regulation 5-7-4 specifies that, “Extraneous motion before the device is fired does not necessarily require a false start to be charged unless the criteria in the regulation are met.”
When the device has been fired, the starter may recall the race as having had an unfair or unstable start and repeat the starting procedure if he or she believes the movement will unfairly affect any of the participants. Also included in Rule 8 addressing cross-country is this NOTE.
According to Julie Cochran, director of sports for the NFHS and liaison to the NFHS Track and Field Rules Committee, “the rules committee felt that these changes offer a clearer definition of a false start and will help add consistency in how false starts are officiated.”
The committee also approved a significant modification to Rule 6 regarding field events.
In the discus, shot put and javelin, athletes will be permitted to apply tape to their fingers as long as the fingers are not taped together, and all fingers can move independently. The specific language approved by the committee is as follows:
“Tape may be used on the hand and fingers provided that no two fingers are taped together. The tape may be continuous and connect to the wrist, but all fingers must be able to move independently. A wrist wrap used in lieu of tape is acceptable and is not considered an artificial aid.”
In other changes to field events, a new definition of Rule 6-3-2b that deals with breaking ties was added.
Rule 6-3-2b(4)(b) states that “if all competitors eligible for a jump-off withdraw from the competition before the jump-off begins or at a height change, those competitors shall tie for first place, and any team points shall be added together and divided equally among the tying competitors.”
Additionally, a NOTE was added to the rule saying that even while an athlete withdrawing from a jump-off surrenders the higher place, the athlete’s performance in the event up until the point of withdrawal is still valid. Additionally, leaving a jump-off is not unsportsmanlike behavior.
Rule 6-2-2 was changed for another field event, allowing one minute for a competitor to enter the competition for the first time in the high jump and pole vault.
Other changes approved by the Track and Field Rules Committed included the following:
- In other changes to Rule 5-Running Events, some of the specific language regarding track markings in Rule 5 was deleted and replaced
- A clarification was provided to the section on hurdling infractions. It is an infraction if a competitor knocks down or displaces any hurdle by hand.
- “Competitors and Competition,” state associations will be permitted to allow participants in a high school track and field meet to compete in more than four events, effective with the 2024 season.
- A competitor shall not compete in more than four events, including relays, remains intact; however, a NOTE was added to the rule for flexibility for state associations as follows: “State associations may adopt different participation limitations, not to exceed six events.”
- Rules 8-1, 8-5: Clarifies the cross country course layout and reorganizes the rule.
- Rule 9-6-1: New rule offers guidance on the relay exchange zone for indoor track and field.
- Rule 3-8-1: With technology advancements, changed the requirement for two appointed officials when FAT timing is used to one appointed timing official.
A complete listing of the track and field rules changes will be available on the NFHS website at www.nfhs.org. Click on “Activities & Sports” at the top of the home page and select “Track & Field.”
According to the 2021-22 NFHS High School Athletics Participation Survey, track and field is the second-most popular sport for boys with 569,262 participants in 17,070 high schools nationwide, and it is No. 1 for girls with 456,697 participants in 17,028 schools.
