shore track officials association 2010 track and field rules examination

Shore Track Officials’ Association

2010 Track and Field Rules Examination

Competitors and Competition

1. Cross country uniform rules are applied the same as the general track uniform and relay team uniform rules.

True4-3-1,2 - Pg 22,23

9-6 – Pg 68


2. Contestants must report to the field event judge prior to the start of competition in order to be eligible.

True 4-1-3 – Pg 21

(Also Clerk of Course prior to closing event)


3. In a track event, a contestant is any athlete entered in the meet and becomes a competitor when reporting to the starting line.

False (reporting to Clerk of the course for

event which they are entered) 4-1-2 – Pg 21


4. The games committee determines the maximum number of events in which a competitor may compete during a meet.

False4-2-1 – Pg 21

Cross Country

5. In cross country, if both numbers and computer chips are assigned to each competitor, it is the competitors choice if he/she wants to wear the assigned chip.

False9-6-5 – Pg 68

Cross Country

6. If fewer than five competitors of a cross country team finish, or other number specified by the games committee, the places of all members of that team shall be disregarded and team scores re-ranked.

True9-2-4 – Pg 64

Cross Country

7. In cross country, the starter shall give the command “On your mark, set” followed by firing the starting device.

False (“On your Marks” – no set)9-4-4-a– Pg 66

Cross Country

8. Cross country teams may choose their own starting position based on a first come basis.

False (Clerk of the Course)9-4-1 – Pg 64

Discus, Shot Put and Javelin

9. The 34.92-degree sector shall be marked on the ground by radial lines 2 inches wide extending from the center of the throwing area to form an area into which legal puts shall be made

True6-4-5, 6-5-5 – Pg 41,44


10. The time at which the preliminaries in each throwing event must be concluded or completed should be set by the games

committee.

True 6-2-3 – Pg 38


11. Prior to the beginning of the attempt in the shot put or discus, the competitor cleans the ring with a towel, steps out of the ring and drops the towel, then returns to the ring to initiate the throw. The event judge shall allow no foul.

True6-5-9c – Pg 44

Field Event Officials12. The field referee/ head field judge or assigned inspector of implements shall inspect the vaulting poles to verify that they are legal equipment.

True3-10-1 – Pg 18

3-19-1,2 – Pg 207-5-5 – Pg 54

Field Event Officials

13. Designated coaching areas where coaches may observe and confer with their athletes during competition may be established by

the meet referee

False (Games Committee)

3-2-4g – Pg 12


14. Warm-ups shall not be allowed unless supervised by each contestant’s coach.

True (Official can also supervise) 6-2-12 – Pg 39


15. Following the preliminaries, final competition in the fields events shall be drawn by lot.

False (reverse order of performance)6-2-5 – Pg 39


16. The competition area is determined by the host school and the games committee is then informed.

False (games committee determines)

3-2-3b – Pg 12


17. The event judge may determine the time limit and procedure to follow when competitors are excused from a field event to compete in

another event.

False (Games Committee)

3-2-3o – Pg 12


18. In the high jump, the games committee does not determine the starting height and successive height of the crossbar.

False3-2-3j – Pg 12

Heat and Lane Assignments19. In first-round competition, runners from the same school who fall within the same heat shall be separated by moving the slower

contestant to another heat.

True5-6-4 – Pg 32

Jumping Events

20. A passed height in the vertical jumps is considered an unsuccessful trial and shall be counted when determining places in vertical jumps.

False7-4-8 – Pg 51

7-4-17c – Pg 537-5-15 – Pg 577-5-30c – Pg 59

Jumping Events

21. A competitor in the high jump may attempt to clear the bar in any manner, provided the takeoff is from one foot and no weights or

artificial aids are used.

True7-4-12 – Pg 52

Jumping Events

22. The referee shall mark the crossbar position to ensure consistent placement of the crossbar.

False3-10-1 - Pg 187-4-5 – Pg 51

Jumping Events

23. Warming up is not permitted in any jumping venue unless supervised by the contestant’s coach or an official, and, in the pole vault, poles have been inspected and approved.

True7-2-9 – Pg 49

Jumping Events

24. The pushing of a pole vaulter in his/her back at the takeoff is legal only if it occurs during warm-up

False7-2-10 – Pg 494-5-8 – Pg 25

Jumping Events25. When there is a tie at any height in the finals of the vertical jumps and all tied competitors have the same number of unsuccessful trials at the height involved, the competitor with the fewest total number of unsuccessful trials throughout

the competition shall be awarded the higher place.

True7-3-2b – Pg 50 7-4-17b – Pg 53

Jumping Events

26. In the pole vault, it is a foul when the vaulter leaves the ground in an attempt but does not touch the ground or the landing system beyond

the vertical plane of the top of the box.

True 7-5-29 – Pg 58

Long and Triple Jumps

27. In breaking ties for places in the horizontal jumps, if the distance resulting from the best performance of competitors is identical, the higher

place is awarded to the tying competitor who has the best average of his/her top three jumps.

False (2nd best jump)7-6-17 – Pg 62


28. When approved by the games committee, a competitor may place one or two markers alongside the runway to assist in the run-up and

take-off for the long jump and triple jump.

True3-2-4b – Pg 12 7-6-12a – Pg 61


29. In the horizontal jumps, it is a foul if the competitor, in the process of landing, touches the ground outside the landing pit nearer the

foul line than the nearest mark made in the landing pit.

True7-6-13e – Pg 61


30. In the triple jump, it is a foul if the competitor lands on the opposite foot in the hop phase.

True7-6-13d – Pg 61

Marking, Measurements and Timing

31. Hand-held times shall be rounded up/down to the nearest tenth of a second and recorded.

False (up only)

3-9-4 – Pg 17


32. Measurement of the official height of the high jump shall be from a point on the same level as the take-off to the lowest point on the lower side of the crossbar.

False (upper side)7-4-15 – Pg 52


33. When a FAT system and timers are both used, the FAT system shall take precedence over the hand-held times.

True3-9-8 – Pg 18


34. In the long jump, marks made by the competitors hands are ignored.

False7-6-14 – Pg 61

Meet Administration

35. An event run entirely on a straightaway may be run in either direction.

True5-1-4 – Pg 26

Meet Administration

36. Restricted areas for field events are designated by the event judge.

False (Games Committee)3-2-3b – Pg 12 3-2-4i – Pg 12

Meet Administration

37. The 100-meter, 110 meter and 300-meter hurdle races consist of 10 hurdles.

False (300 – 8 hurdles)5-3-8 – Pg 30,31

Meet Administration

38. A coach has 30 minutes after the meet to file a protest with the meet director regarding misapplication of the rules.

False (after announcement of meet results /

Jury of Appeals)2-3-3 – Pg 113-5-3a – Pg 15

Meet Administration

39. The field can be charged with one false start rather than charging the false start to an individual competitor.

False 5-7-4c – Pg 34

Pole Vault40. In the pole vault, hard or unyielding surfaces such as, but not limited to, concrete, metal, wood, or asphalt around the landing pad, between the planting box and the landing system, shall be padded or cushioned with no more than 2 inches of

dense foam or other suitable material(s).

False (a minimum of 2 inches)

7-5-9 – Pg 56

Pole Vault41. Prior to competition, the coach must verify that all of a school’s pole vaulters and poles meet the requirements pertaining to the vaulters weight and pole rating, pole

rating on the pole and maximum top hand-hold position.

True 7-5-3 – Pg 53, 54

Pole Vault

42. It is not considered a foul if the competitor aborts the approach and in stopping plants the pole and his/her momentum causes his/her

feet to leave the ground.

True7-5-29-b – Pg 58 (exception)

Pole Vault

43. The maximum top-handhold position of the vaulter is determined by the manufacturer.

True7-5-3 – Pg 53

Qualification and Disqualification

44. An American flag, not exceeding 4 x 6 inches, may be placed on the competitors uniform top or bottom.

False (2 X 3 inches)4-3-1c (6) – Pg 22


45. Removing any part of the uniform, excluding shoes, in a designated competition area will lead to a warning first, followed by an event disqualification if repeated.

True4-3-4 – Pg 23


46. Unsporting conduct may include any flagrant behavior, intentional contact or taunting, and results in disqualification from that event and further competition in the meet

True4-5-1 – Pg 24


47. A coach instructs his/her cross country team to run as a pack. The meet referee disqualifies the team for pacing.

False (ok if in race, DQ if not)

4-6-8b – Pg 25


48. A competitor who fails to comply with the starter’s commands, shall be charged with a false start which would disqualify the competitor from

the event.

True5-7-4a – Pg 34

Qualification and Disqualification49. After passing the baton the relieved runner jogs straight ahead. An opponent makes contact with the relieved runner. The team of the relieved runner shall be disqualified.

False5-9-8 – Pg 36

Records and Special Events

50. The second day of a girl’s heptathlon competition shall begin with the long jump.

True8-1-3 – Pg 62


51. Special event scoring for the decathlon, pentathlon, and heptathlon is only determined by state associations.

False8-1-3(note) – Pg 62


52. In the long jump and triple jump, when an anemometer (wind gauge) is used, it shall be placed beside the runway 20 meters from the foul line.

True10-2-2 – Pg 70


53. In vertical jumps, a competitor shall be credited with his/her best performance, including if it occurs in a jump-off for first place.

True10-3-2 – Pg 73

7-4-17(d)-2-3 – Pg 567-5-30(d)-2-3 – Pg 62

Relays54. In relays of 800 meters or longer that are not run in lanes, the clerk of the course determines the method of baton exchange at each station.

False (Games Committee)3-2-3i – Pg 12

5-9-11 – Pg 36

Relays55. When an acceleration zone is permitted, competitors who are the outgoing runners may receive the baton entirely within the limits of the acceleration and exchange zones.

False (w/in exchange zones)

5-9-9 – Pg 36

Relays

56. In relays of 800 meters or longer that are not run in lanes, the responsibility is on the exchange judge to place the outgoing runner in

a position that corresponds to that of the incoming runner.

False (outgoing competitor)

5-9-11 – Pg 36

Relays

57. If the baton is dropped in the exchange zone, in a legitimate attempt to hand it, only the competitor who dropped the baton,

may retrieve it.

False (either may retrieve)

5-9-7 – Pg 36

Running Infractions

58. A competitor who inadvertently run out of his/her lane on the straightaway, taking three or more steps on the lane line to either

his/her left or right, shall be disqualified.

True 5-11-1a – Pg 37

Running Infractions

59. It is an infraction if a competitor knocks down any hurdle by hand or foot.

False (hand only)

6-1-2b – Pg 38

Running Infractions60. It is an infraction if, while running on a straightaway, the competitor runs in an adjacent lane and interferes with or impedes another competitor.

True5-11-1-b – Pg 37

Running Infractions

61. A hurdler shall be disqualified for running around a hurdle.

True6-1-2-e – Pg 38

Running Infractions

62. For races that have qualifying heats, all heats must use the same starting procedure.

True 5-6-3 – Pg 32

Scoring and Ties

63. When using manual timing in order to break a tie, the time recorded to 1/100th of a second shall be used.

False3-9-4 – Pg 17

Scoring and Ties

64. In throwing events and horizontal jumps, all competitors tying for the last position shall be finalists

True6-2-4 – Pg 39

Scoring and Ties

65. In a quadrangular meet, the number of places to score in relay events, unless otherwise announced by the games committee, shall be

three.

True 2-1-2 – Pg 10

Scoring and Ties

66. In a dual meet, the scoring for individual events is 5-3-1.

True2-1-2 – Pg 10

Event Start and Conclusion

67. Clerical or team scoring errors may be corrected up to 36 hours after the conclusion of the event.

False (48 hours after meet)

2-3-1 – Pg 10


68. It is a starting violation when a competitor is taking too much time to remove warm-ups, slowly getting on the track, slowly getting into

his/her “on your mark” position and causing a starting delay.

True5-7-4a – Pg 345-7-4e – Pg 34


69. A race shall be recalled within the first 100 meters if a competitor slips and falls.

False (no contact mentioned)

5-7-6 – Pg 34

Clerk of the Course

70. The clerk of the course is in charge of recording the name and number of each competitor, assigning competitors to heats and

lanes, giving race instructions and checking for legal uniforms.

True3-7-1 & 2 – Pg 15,16

Clerk of the Course

71. The clerk of the course has sole authority to make adjustments in heat and lane assignments.

False (approval of referee)

3-7-3 – Pg 16

Clerk of the Course

72. The assistant starter has the sole responsibility to announce the lane assignments and hold each competitor responsible for reporting

to the starting line.

False (also clerk of the course)

3-7-2 – Pg 16

Clerk of the Course

73. A running event or heat begins when the contestants report to the clerk of the course.

False (starting line)4-6-1 – Pg 25

The Referee

74. The referee’s authority concludes immediately after the last event has concluded.

False (30 min after last event)

3-4-2 – Pg 14

The Referee

75. The referee may not disqualify a competitor who commits an infraction personally observed by the referee.

False3-4-6 – Pg 14

The Referee

76. When a competitor is disqualified, either the event judge or the clerk shall notify – or cause to be notified – the competitor or competitor’s coach of the disqualification.

False(Referee)

3-4-5 – Pg 14

The Referee77. The referee is always a member of the jury of appeals.

False3-2-4(l) – Pg 13

The Starter

78. In cross country when conditions dictate, the starter may use whistle/flag commands along with the starting device.

True9-4-4b – Pg 66

The Starter

79. The starter is responsible for deciding if a start is fair and legal, avoiding unnecessary delays in the continuance of track events, and whether competitor uniforms are legal. False

(starter)3-6-1 – Pg 15

The Starter80. A coach’s first level of protest is to the jury of appeals.

False (referee)

3-5-2 – Pg 14

The Starter

81. During distance races, the assistant starter should take a position on the first turn.

True3-6-3 – Pg 15

Throwing Events

82. In the throws or horizontal jumps, the finals are competed in reverse order of performance.

True6-2-5 – Pg 39

Throwing Events

83. At the conclusion of a field event, a competitor may continue to practice provided he/she is supervised by an event official or coach.

False 6-2-12 – Pg 39

Throwing Events

84. In the 34.92-degree throwing sector, the inner edges of the sector lines serve as the boundary.

True6-5-5 – Pg 44

Throwing Events

85. Competitors in the throwing events may enter and exit the circle without fouling if done before the start of the attempt.

True6-4-9(c) – Pg 426-5-9(c) – Pg 44

Throwing Events86. During the shot put, A1 is disqualified for unsporting conduct and all previously recorded throws are thrown out.

True4-5-1 – Pg 24

Track and Field Equipment87. In the javelin throw, the runway should have a minimum length of 120 feet (36.5 meters) and should be marked by 2 parallel lines, 13

feet, 1 ½ inches (4 meters) apart, and terminated by a foul-line arc with a radius of 26 feet, 3 inches (8 meters).

True6-6-3 – Pg 46

Track and Field Equipment

88. The landing pad that is preferred for the high jump has two attached sections with a common cover.

False(no preference mentioned)

7-4-3 – Pg 51

Track and Field Equipment89. It is the responsibility of the NFHS to perform scientific tests on any specific items of equipment to determine if the equipment poses

undue risks to student-athletes, officials or spectators.

False (manufacturers responsibility)

5-4 (note) – Pg 31


90. The number to qualify for a final race, the number of heats to choose the qualifiers, and the number of sessions required for preliminary and

semifinal heats, shall be determined by the games committee.

True 3-2-2 – Pg 12


91. Starting blocks on a curve can be positioned on but not over the outside lane line.

True5-2-4 – Pg 265-7-4d – Pg 34

Track Officials

92. The umpire shall be equipped with both a red and white flag.

False (Yellow and White)

3-11-4 – Pg 19

Track Officials

93. An umpire on a turn near the finish line should move toward the finish line as the race is ending to watch for infractions.

True3-11-3 – Pg 19

Track Officials

94. When a pistol is used as a starting device it shall be a closed-barrel starters pistol.

True5-7-1 – Pg 34

Track Officials

95. Marshals have the responsibility to keep competition areas free from all persons except officials, contestants and others authorized by

the games committee.

True3-12 – Pg 19

Uniforms

96. It is a legal garment when a competitor is wearing under his/her uniform top, a turtle-neck shirt of a single, solid color with the school

insignia on the collar, which complies with the logo dimension requirements.

True4-3-1(d)1 – Pg 239-6-1b(8) – Pg 68

Uniforms

97. A relay team reports to the clerk of the course for the 4 x 400 with three team members wearing all-black, one-piece body suits and the

fourth member wearing a black top and black shorts. The relay team members

are wearing legal uniforms.

True4-3-2a – Pg 23

Uniforms

98. The uniform top must be tucked into the waistband of the bottom when the competitor is standing upright.

True(designated by Games Committee)

3-2-4(j) – Pg 13

Uniforms99. Team A’s 4X800-meter relay team reports to the clerk of the course in legal school uniforms, but A1 has a solid blue visible undergarment on the top and A2 has a solid red visible undergarment on the bottom. The clerk observes the undergarments and determines they are illegal because of being two different colors.

False(top and bottom do not have to be same

color)4-4-2-b – Pg 23

Uniforms100. A competitor’s uniform may include all of the following: school identification, competitor name, a single manufacturer’s logo, an

American flag and a commemorative or memorial patch, if all the above comply with the dimension

requirements.True

4-3-1 – Pg 22,239-6-1 – Pg 68

shore track officials association 2010 track and field rules examination

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