Rules
3-6-4, 3-19-3 – Places the responsibility of inspecting all starting blocks with the starter. This is more appropriate as the starter has this expertise, rather than with the implement inspector who has the greater expertise with throwing implements.
3-10-7 – Field event judges may use flags to signal fair or foul on a trial. The use of flags will assist with efficient administration of the field events. Communication between officials, coaches and fans will be enhanced by the visual signal, similar to the use of flags by umpires.
6-1-1 thru 5, 6-2-9 – Expands the definitions for throwing events for greater clarity in application of the throwing rules and updates to accepted current sport terminology.
6-5-2 – To account for the thickness of the synthetic covering of an indoor shot, which is not present on the outdoor implement, a maximum diameter is needed in the specifications for the implement.
6-6-1 – Updates the current javelin specifications by eliminating reference to wood, which is no longer a commonly used material and replaces with “other suitable material”. The change will permit use of newer materials, such as carbon fiber, in the construction of the javelin.
7-1-1 thru 7, 7-2-1 – Expands the definitions for jumping events for greater clarity in application of the jumping rules and updates to accepted current sport terminology.
7-6-3 – Updates to accepted current sport equipment specifications, recommended 8 inches in width, for the takeoff board while not resulting in existing boards becoming non-compliant by permitting the takeoff board to be up to 24 inches in width.
7-2-2, 6-2-5 – Removes duplicate language contained elsewhere in existing rules and adds language regarding when the order of competition may be changed to accommodate competitors excused to participate in other events. There is now consistency in all field event rules.
9-1-3b – The use of the double painted line boundary lines in cross country provides additional guidance to the runners, better defines the race course for spectators, and allows for natural barriers (grasses, hedges, etc.) which appear on many of the newer courses to also serve as part of the boundary markings.
9-3-3a, b – Recommends the use of a video/photograph back-up system when order of finish in cross country is determined using a transponder system. Transponders can read early or late, come off the runner etc. The video back-up can confirm close finishes and also assist if other problems arise using the transponder system at the finish line. It is recommended that the back-up be activated when the timing system indicates a one-tenth second or less differential.
9-3-4, 5, 9-4-6, 8, 9, 10 – The use of a chute may restrict running space; therefore, the corral should be used with transponder place finish. With a corral, the finish line is opened to its full width allowing competitors to race through the line. The corral enhances the competitors’ abilities to perform administrative tasks as directed by meet management and then progress in an orderly fashion out of the corral, culminating all race activity.
UNIFORMS
Uniforms may only have ONE company logo on the top and ONE company logo on the bottom (only ONE allowed if wearing a one-piece uniform).
Logos must be no larger than 2 ¼ square inches.
The uniform's school logo and/or name is separate and is allowed.
"Techfit" or "Dri-fit" is ok on the uniform as long as it doesn't exceed 2 ¼ square inches. However, only a single manufacturer's logo/trademark/reference (such as Nike, Nike Pro, or any other reference to Nike; Adidas, the Adidas symbol or any other reference to Adidas).
UNDER-ARMOUR / COMPRESSION (worn UNDER the uniform)
Under the UNIFORM TOP: Any visible garment(s) worn under the uniform TOP must be unadorned and a single SOLID COLOR and may only have ONE manufacturer's logo and/or single school name or insignia (2 ¼ in) on it, (stitching MAY be a different color, but function as the actual seam). *This does NOT apply to sports bras.
Under the UNIFORM BOTTOM: Any visible garment(s) worn under the uniform BOTTOM and extends below the knees shall be unadorned and a single, SOLID COLOR and may only have ONE manufacturer's logo and/or single school name or insignia (2 ¼ in) on it, (stitching MAY be a different color, but function as the actual seam).
**Relay Team Members - Any visible garment(s) worn by two or more relay team members underneath the uniform tope and/or underneath the uniform bottom, extending below the knees, shall be unadorned and of the same single, SOLID COLOR.
*****See pages 22 - 24 of the NFHS rule book for more details/info.
Soft single color elastic hair controlling items, excluding hats, may be worn. This includes headbands with one single manufacturer’s logo.
Only prescription eyewear will be allowed by contestants during competition.
No electronic devices (i.e. cell phones, MP3 players, IPods, etc.) will be allowed by contestants in the competition area.
REGION MEET REGULATIONS
A student must have participated in at least two regular season track meets prior to entering region qualifying leading to the State Meet. The High School League Executive Committee must make any exceptions.
Be sure that everyone clearly understands Rule 5-10-2. Being listed as one of the six members of a relay team does not count as an event unless the competitor actually participates. Remind them that an athlete may not participate in more than four events. He or she may be listed in two individual events and as a member of three relay teams. However, once this athlete participates in two of these relays he/she is not eligible for the other relay. It is highly recommended that six names be listed for each relay team. (four participants and two alternates)
The rules for the pole vault must be enforced. Specifically, the vaulter’s weight shall be at or below the manufacturer’s pole rating. The manufacturer’s pole rating shall be visible in a one-inch contrasting color, as well as a one-inch circular band indicating the maximum top handhold position. Pole rating markings are to be located above the handhold band. The coach of a vaulter must verify that the athlete is utilizing the appropriate pole and must be able to certify the vaulter’s actual weight to the event judge. The weight of each vaulter must be supplied to the event judge and entered on the event sheet.
Schools must register their contestants (using both first and last names and grade) with the region track chairperson by a date set by the chairperson. The region chairperson in turn will report all contestants to the Upper/Lower or Qualifier Meet Directors. The best performances of each event in region meets must be sent to the director of the Upper/Lower or Qualifier Meet. This information is requested in order that contestants may be placed in heats. A form will be sent to all track chairpersons for making this report. First and last names will be used in reporting all qualifiers.
The meet director should report region qualifiers to the Upper/Lower or Qualifier Meet Directors within 48 hours of your region meet for all classes. A region may qualify four contestants in each event for the Upper/Lower or Qualifier Meet, and four contestants in each event will be qualified from these meets for the State Finals. No more than four contestants from any school may be entered in any event in the region meet. A school may enter one team in each relay.
In the event there are regions involved in the preliminaries having only one high school entered, the list of entries must be sent to the meet director at the time entries are sent by regions. No changes will be allowed by any school after the list has been received.
All throwing implements will be chosen/designated by the Meet Director and/or event judge for competition.
QUALIFYING MEET REGULATIONS
Qualifiers for the meets will be reported to the directors of these meets. The Qualifying Meet Directors will report their qualifiers directly to the League Office. FIRST AND LAST NAMES AND GRADE LEVELS will be used in reporting all qualifiers.
The Qualifying Meet Directors will secure competent officials. Meets must have a referee, exchange zone judges and turn judges. The decision of the judges will be final. No protest will be allowed unless violation of track or eligibility rules occurs.
In all meets that qualify contestants for the State Track Meet, these rules will be followed in the shot put, discus, triple jump and long jump. There will be three sections in each event. They will be seeded by region champions first - serpentined, then by performance for all other qualifiers - serpentined. Each competitor will take six jumps. Each section winner and the best five non-winning distances from all the sections will qualify for the state meet. All ties for the eight qualifying positions will be broken according to the National Federation Rule Book. All throwing implements will be chosen/designated by the Meet Director and/or event judge for competition.
Contestants must be ready at the scheduled time of their events. If not, the Meet Director will scratch them. A contestant will not be allowed to compete unless he is in a legal track uniform.
An admission of $5.00 will be charged for Qualifying State Meets. The meet director must submit a financial statement to the League Office.
Sites for the qualifying meets will be determined by each classification.
SITES FOR QUALIFYING
AAAA Qualifying Meet - Spring Valley High School
AAA Qualifying Meet - Lower Richland High School
AA - UPPER Keenan High School
AA - LOWER Woodland High School
A - UPPER Southside Christian High School
A - LOWER Scott’s Branch High School
RECOMMENDED TIME SCHEDULE FOR STATE QUALIFYING
11:00 AM Field Events 12:40 PM 400 Meter Relay
Boys Long Jump followed by Triple Jump 12:55 PM 3200 Meter Relay
Girls Long Jump followed by Triple Jump 1:45 PM 100 Meter Hurdle Finals
Boys Shot followed by Girls Shot 1:55 PM 110 Meter Hurdle Finals
Girls Pole Vault followed by Boys Pole Vault 2:05 PM 100 Meter Dash Finals
Boys High Jump followed by Girls High Jump 2:15 PM 1600 Meter Run
Girls Discus followed by Boys Discus 2:30 PM 400 Meter Run
11:15 AM 100 Meter Hurdle Trials 2:50 PM 400 Meter Hurdle
11:25 AM 110 Meter Hurdle Trials 3:10 PM 800 Meter Run
11:35 AM 100 Meter Dash Trials 3:20 PM 200 Meter Run Finals
12:20 PM 200 Meter Dash Trials 3:30 PM 3200 Meter Run
4:00 PM 1600 Meter Relay
In the 400-meter hurdles, the distance from the starting line to the first hurdle is 45 meters. The distance between hurdles is 35 meters and the distance from the last hurdle to the finish line is 40 meters. The number of hurdles is 10. The height for boys is 36 inches and for girls it is 30 inches.
STATE TRACK MEET REGULATIONS
The State Meet will be held on May 13 & 14.
Eight places will score in the State Meet as follows:
First place 10 points Fifth place 4 points
Second place 8 points Sixth place 3 points
Third place 6 points Seventh place 2 points
Fourth place 5 points Eighth place 1 point
NOTE: The high jump will begin two heights (four inches) below the lowest qualifying height of the contestants entered in the event.
NOTE: The bar for the high jump will be raised 2 inches until a winner is determined.
NOTE: The minimum qualifying height in the pole vault event for girls is 7’ 0” and for boys 9’ 0”. The pole vault will begin two heights (one foot) below the lowest qualifying height.
NOTE: The maximum starting height in the pole vault event for girls is 9’ 6” and for boys 12’ 6”.
NOTE: The bar for the pole vault will be raised 6 inches until a winner is determined.
Only rubber-soled shoes may be used for the shot put and discus. Track flats or spikes that do not exceed ¼" spikes may be used for the pole vault, high jump, long jump and all running events.
NO ONE WILL BE ALLOWED IN THE TRACK AREA EXCEPT CONTESTANTS IN UNIFORM AND OFFICIALS.
An admission of $8.00 will be charged to everyone except those participating in the State Finals. (The meet on Friday, May 13, admission price will be $5.00).
In the shot put, discus, triple jump and long jump, each competitor will be allowed six trials.
During the week of the State Meet, no school may practice at the site of this meet unless the site is on its campus.
NOTE: All throwing implements will be chosen/designated by the Meet Director and/or event judge for competition.
ADAPTIVE TRACK AND FIELD PROGRAM
All high school students with a permanent, physical disability may be eligible to participate on their school’s track and field team. This year these students will have the opportunity to compete in the 100 meter wheelchair race.
Students who participate must meet all HSL eligibility requirements.
Each athlete’s physical disability must be verified by a licensed physician and maintained on permanent file at the school.
All athletes qualified for the Wheelchair competition must compete in a specially designed racing chair.
Student must compete in their school’s team uniform.
Students must compete in a minimum of four (4) meets to qualify for the State Finals.
The athlete is responsible for his/her equipment.
See the AAASP (American Association of Adapted Sports Program website www.adaptedsports.org.
Contact Nessie Harris at the High School League Office for any questions (803) 798-0120.
TRACK CHAIR
The track chair shall have two rear wheels and one front wheel.
The track chair frame shall not extend in front of the center of the front wheel hub.
The track chair may have no mechanical gears or levers that could propel the chair.
The track chair’s seat including the cushion shall not exceed 25 inches in height.
The steering must be hand operated. NO electronic steering is allowed.
NO part of the track chair or frame may protrude past the furthest point of the rear wheel.
Athlete’s lower limb must be secured to the track chair. Any touch of the ground by the lower limb results in disqualification from the event.
Competitors are responsible for the proper functioning of the track chair.
No event shall be delayed or rescheduled for equipment failure prior to the event.
Athletes may only propel the chair forward by pushing on the wheels or hand rims.
Manufacturer’s logos only---no sponsorship logos are permitted.
WHEELS
The maximum diameter of the rear wheel and inflated tire is 28 inches (70cm).
The maximum diameter of the front wheel and inflated tire is 20 inches (50cm).
Each rear wheel may have one hand rim.
HELMET AND GLOVES
All competitors must wear gloves and a bicycle helmet that meets ANSI standards.
THE RACE
The start: The center of the front axle (axle plane) may not extend over the starting line. The commands the Wheelchair races shall be, “Wheelers set” followed by the firing of the starting device.
The finish: The finish of the race occurs when the center of the front axle (axle plane) crosses the finish line.
Wheeling in lanes: The 100M shall be raced the same as in able-bodied events in regards to “lanes all the way”. Touching or crossing over lane lines for more than 10 consecutive feet result in a disqualification. Crossing a lane line for any distance and impeding another competitor is a disqualification.
Obstruction: Athletes may not touch or obstruct another competitor during an event. Obstruction of an athlete will result in disqualification.