2024 Track & Field Rules Changes

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NFHS rules changes for the 2024 Track & Field season:

3-8-1: Permits the Games Committee to set requirements for each meet on the number of timing officials.

Rationale: As technology continues to evolve in the sports of track and field and cross country, not all FAT systems require separate operators and evaluators. The Games Committee may set requirements for each meet on the number of timing officials.

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4-2-1 (NEW): Permits state associations to set the participation limits within their state, with six events being the maximum number.

Rationale: Adds flexibility for state associations to determine the number of events best suited for their state.

Note: The NSAA does not appear to have adopted any changes here for Nebraska....and athletes will remain to be limited to four events per meet.

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5-3-1, 9-4-1 (NEW): Removed and corrected information concerning track staggers.

Rationale: Track staggers are dependent on the geometry of each individual track, and a competent surveyor should determine the lane staggers.

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5-7-4c,d (NEW), 8-4-4 (NEW): Extraneous motion before the device is fired does not necessarily require a false start to be charged unless the runner leaves their mark with hand or foot after the set command or leaves their mark with a forward motion without the starting device being fired.

Rationale: The change makes it clearer as to the definition of a false start and how it should be consistently officiated.

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5-14-1.2: Clarifies that displacement of any hurdle by hand is an infraction.

Rationale: Offers guidance to officials and umpires when determining hurdle infractions.

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6-2-2d: Clarifies when a competitor enters a vertical jump for the first time, at any height, no matter the number of competitors left that this competitor is only permitted one minute for their attempt.

Rationale: This clarifies in the vertical jumps how the rule is to be interpreted and adds additional support to the official's decisions when a competitor enters after the event has been started.

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6-3-2b: Added language in vertical jumps when breaking ties and competitors withdraw from the competition/jump-off.

Rationale: The addition offers guidance to officials when two or more tied competitors withdraw from the competition/jump-off at the same time.

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6-3-2b (NEW): Any athlete withdrawing from a jump-off concedes the higher place but retains their performance in the event.

Rationale: The new note explains that an athlete withdrawing from a jump-off concedes the higher place but does not negate their performance in the event nor is it unsporting to simply withdraw in this scenario. The addition of the new note helps explain how to officiate these scenarios.

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6-4-1, 6-5-1, 6-6-1: Permits athletes in the throws to apply tape to their fingers as long as the fingers are not taped together, and all fingers can move independently.

Rationale: The rules change offers flexibility to athletes to apply tape to their fingers or wear a wrist wrap as long as there are no artificial aids within the wrap such as hard plastic pieces to keep the wrist stiff.

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2024 Track & Field Points of Emphasis

Fair Starts
It is the starter's responsibility to ensure a fair and legal start and anticipate problems. The interval between the set command and the firing of the starting device should be approximately two seconds. After a starters gives the order "set," if any competitor is in motion, the starter shall not fire the starting device. Firing the starting device too soon doesn't allow athletes to get ready, and firing the starting device too slow also creates a situation of unfairness.

Starters may for any reason cancel a start by directing all competitors to "Stand Up."

The following are some of the reasons that a starter may cancel a start in races with legs of less than 800 meters:

• Noise at the start line
• Starting block problems
• Obstruction on the track
• Slow athlete getting set
• Misfire of the starting pistol
• Hands on the line
• Extraneous movement after the set command.

In distance races the following are some of the reasons that a starter could halt or recall the start:

• Runners not steady
• Toes on the line
• Failure to come to the line in a timely manner
• Impeding a position of another athlete
• Fall during the first 100 meters due to contact

Starters play a huge role in fair, consistent and legal starts for student-athletes across all events

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Sportsmanship
Sportsmanship rules help officials, parents, coaches and student-athletes develop and reinforce values that apply to the development of the whole person. Respect for others, honesty, fair play, learning and understanding the rules are critical life skills that, when practiced, will enhance any individual's character. The absence of good sportsmanship jeopardizes one of the fundamental principles of participation in education-based athletics and complicates the team-building process. A sportsmanship priority is keeping winning and losing in perspective. Understanding that losing with dignity is an important lesson, everyone must learn and practice. A collaborative, working relationship should be a priority between officials, game administration, coaches and student-athletes to promote good sportsmanship during a track meet. This includes treating people with respect and using appropriate language, actions and language that builds people up and values each person.

It is critical to remember that winning means you were the best version of yourself that day. The beauty of track and field is that one constantly tests themselves against one's best time, height or distance. Continual improvement is a hallmark of successful student-athletes, programs, teams, and coaches. This improvement also involves positive sporting behavior, a fundamental ingredient of education-based high school sports.

 

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2024 Track & Field Rules Interpretations

Situation 1: Competitor A waits to enter the pole vault competition until 16 feet. All other competitors fail at this attempt. Competitor A enters and is given one minute for the first trial. Competitor A: (a) misses on the first attempt, (b) clears the height. The event judge gives Competitor A five minutes for the next jump.

Ruling: Correct procedure.

Comment: Regardless of the success of this trial, Competitor A wold receive five minutes for the next trial (6-2-2d)

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Situation 2: Competitors A and B are tied for first place in the high jump at the conclusion of regular competition. The event judge asks the two competitors separately if they will be competing in the jump-off. Competitor A declines participation in a jump-off but Competitor B agrees to participate in a jump-off. The event judge declares Competitor B the winner.

Ruling: Correct procedure.

Comment: A competitor withdrawing from the jump-off shall concede any opportunity for a higher place, and this does not negate the competitor's performance. Competitor B does not have to complete a jump to be declared the winner. If both competitors decline to compete in the jump-off, then this is a tie for first place and any team points shall be added together and divided equally between the tying competitors. (6-3-2b)

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Situation 3: While A1 is warming up for the shot put, the event judge notices the athlete has: (a) fingers taped together, (b) tape on the fingers but all fingers can move independently, (c) a wrist wrap that loops around the thumb, or (d) a wrist wrap that contains a hard plastic piece to keep the wrist stiff. In (a) and (d), the event judge asks the athlete to remove the tape and wrist wrap.

Ruling: Correct procedure.

Comment: Athletes are permitted to apply tape to their fingers as long as they are not taped together, and all fingers can move independently. Wrist wraps are permitted that loop over the thumb provided they have no artificial aids in the wrap such as hard plastic pieces to keep the wrist stiff. (6-4-1)