3-19-2, 6-2-17:  Only legal implements, as inspected by the implement inspector, shall be allowed in warm-ups and competition. 

Rationale:  For purposes of risk minimization and reducing the likelihood of illegal implements being used in competition, only legal implements are allowed in warm-ups.

4-3-1, 2 Penalty, 9-6-1 Penalty:  For the wearing of an illegal uniform, when a violation is observed and noted by a meet official, the competitor shall be required to make the uniform legal before becoming eligible for further competition and shall be issued a warning that a subsequent violation shall result in a disqualification from the event.  The referee shall be notified of the violation by the observing meet official and the referee shall notify, or cause to be notified, the head coach of the offending school of the competitor’s violation and warning.

Rationale:  The adjustment of this penalty, to an individual warning and disqualification for a subsequent violation of the same rule, is more appropriate for the severity of the actual violation. The responsibility remains with the coach to have athletes in legal uniforms for competition. Preventative officiating will be significant to reduce potential violations and keep the meet progressing smoothly.

5-1-5 New:  When feasible, it is recommended that there be an obstacle-free zone on the inside and outside of the track at least one meter in width.

Rationale:  An obstacle-free zone should surround the track, when it is feasible, for purposes of risk minimization.

5-10-7, Note:  The baton shall be handed from the incoming runner to the outgoing runner within the exchange zone.  Both runners shall not touch the baton outside of the 20-meter exchange zone.

Rationale:  Consistency in enforcement and minimizes a judgment call.  Fits the current technique of exchange method in the sport.

6-2-2:  The three preliminary trials shall be taken in flights of no less than five in the order in which the competitors are listed.

Rationale:  Provides consistency in the administration of throwing events with this same change made in field events last year.

6-2-3, 7-2-3:  One or more competitors than there are scoring places shall qualify for the finals.

Rationale: Clarifies that, with no action from the games committee, one more than places scored will advance to the finals.

6-4-2:  The discus shall meet the following specifications, thus allowing a 1⁄4 inch range in the rim thickness:

Boys    Girls

Rim thickness 1⁄4” from the edge:

Minimum:   12mm (.472”) 12mm (.472”)

Maximum:   13mm (.512”) 13mm (.512”).

Rationale:  Implement manufacturers strive to attain the dimensions required, but very often are unable to attain an absolute standard. The “1⁄4” range now allowed in no way would provide an unfair advantage.

6-5-9j New:  Specifies that the use of the “cartwheel technique is a foul.

Rationale:  Prohibits a potentially dangerous technique.

6-6-9:  If the javelin breaks during the throw or in the air, it shall not count as a trial and a replacement throw shall be awarded.

Rationale:  Consistent with high school philosophy that competitors should not be penalized for equipment failure.

7-2-10 New:  Adds time limits for consecutive attempts in field events and includes chart for all prescribed event time limits.

Rationale:  Adds time limits for consecutive attempts in field events which had not previously been addressed.

7-4-2:  The approach shall consist of an unvarying surface.

Rationale:   Addresses concerns when constructing/resurfacing a facility.

7-4-6, 7-5-11:  In addition to the commonly used four-sided flat crossbar ends, the use of a crossbar fitted with alternative ends (semicircular) is permitted.

Rationale:  Allows for use of a current design of crossbar that meets all rule specifications.

7-5-19:  Changes the range for the position of the standards to 18 inches (45.7cm) measured beyond the vertical plane of the top of the stopboard, zero (0) point, up to a maximum distance of 31.5 inches (80cm) in the direction of the landing surface.

Rationale:  Provides better range of placement of standards in the pole vault for risk minimization.

7-5-21:  Forearm covers may be worn to prevent injuries and competitors may also use chalk or an adhesive, or similar substance such as rosin, directly on the pole during competition.

Rationale: Allows for use of a device which may reduce risk of injuries. Also, addresses interpretation previously only included in the NFHS Case Book.

7-6-9:  One or more competitors than there are scoring places shall qualify for the finals.

Rationale:  Clarifies that, with no action from the games committee, one more than places scored will advance to the finals.

2013 Track and Field Major Editorial Changes

4-6-7:  Removes reference to any other person as assistance (includes non-persons as well).

6-2-1 thru 18:  Rule 6-2 has been rewritten and edited for clarity and a more logical sequence of the articles.

6-4-5, 6-5-5:  Replaces the current diagrams with more useful diagram to assist with visual of a proper sector.

6-6-2:  The javelin shall meet all IAAF specifications. Reflects change in maximum length of metal head that is already commonly in use.

Boys Competition        Girls Competition

Length of metal head

(minimum) 9-13/16 in. (25 cm)    9-13/16 in. (25 cm)

(maximum) 13 in. (33 cm)    13 in. (33 cm)

6-6-3:  Specifies a line 2 3/4 inches in width and 2 feet, 5 1/2 inches in length rather than allowing the line to be longer and is now consistent for marking.

6-6-4:  Replaces the current diagram with a more useful diagram.

7-2-1 thru 17:  Rule 7-2 has been rewritten and edited for clarity and a more logical sequence of the articles.

2013 Track and Field Editorial Changes

3-1-1c, 3-2-3(l), 3-10-3 thru 7, 3-19-2, 4-4-3 Penalty, 5-1-2, 6-3-2, 7-4-10, 7-4-10 Example, 7-4- 16, 7-5-29, 7-5-1, 7-5-5, 7-5-12, 7-6-1, 7-6-9, 9-6-3 Penalty

2013 Track and Field Points of Emphasis

1. Officiating when the acceleration zone is not used

2. Mechanics for head event judge when excused competitor has not returned

3. Head event judge responsibilities to enhance event safety

4. Use of flags by field event judges

5. Continuous flights, “5 Alive” and “5 Active”

Legal Uniform Images

Manufacturer's Contact Information for Pole Vault Poles

Pole Vault Helmet Update

Pole Vault Weight Verification Form

Sample Pole Vault Helmet Parent Release Form

2013 Track & Field Questions and Answers (5/9/13)

Clerk & Field Event Judges Sheets (updated 12/17/12)

Jewelry/Uniform Warning Notice

2013 Track & Field Sport Meeting Folder (updated 2/11/13)

2013 Track & Field Sport Meeting PowerPoint (must still view video for credit)

WISCONSIN ADAPTATIONS - TRACK & FIELD 2013

Printable Version - Please print and place in your rules book for future reference.

a.    The National Federation order of running events is NOT followed in Wisconsin. The correct order of events designed by the Wisconsin high school track and field coaches is as follows: (Rule 1-2-1)
Boys
    (1) 3200 Meter Relay
    (2) 110 Meter High Hurdles
    (3) 100 Meter Dash
    (4) 1600 Meter Run
    (5) 800 Meter Relay
    (6) 400 Meter Dash
    (7) 400 Meter Relay
    (8) 300 Meter Inter. Hurdles
    (9) 800 Meter Run
   (10) 200 Meter Dash
   (11) 3200 Meter Run
   (12) 1600 Meter Relay
   (13) Discus Throw
   (14) High Jump
   (15) Long Jump
   (16) Pole Vault
   (17) Shot Put
   (18) Triple Jump
Girls
    (1) 3200 Meter Relay
    (2) 100 Meter High Hurdles
    (3) 100 Meter Dash
    (4) 1600 Meter Run
    (5) 800 Meter Relay
    (6) 400 Meter Dash
    (7) 400 Meter Relay
    (8) 300 Meter Low Hurdles
    (9) 800 Meter Run
   (10) 200 Meter Dash
   (11) 3200 Meter Run
   (12) 1600 Meter Relay
   (13) Discus Throw
   (14) High Jump
   (15) Long Jump
   (16) Pole Vault
   (17) Shot Put
   (18) Triple Jump
Note: Other events, but not the javelin or hammer throw, are permissible.

b.    The correct order of events designed by the Wisconsin high school track and field coaches for combined (boy-girl) meets is as follows:
    (1) 3200 Meter Relay (girls)*
    (2) 3200 Meter Relay (boys)*
    (3) 100 Meter High Hurdles (girls)
    (4) 110 Meter High Hurdles (boys)
    (5) 100 Meter Dash (girls)
    (6) 100 Meter Dash (boys)
    (7) 1600 Meter Run (girls)
    (8) 1600 Meter Run (boys)
    (9) 800 Meter Relay (girls)
   (10) 800 Meter Relay (boys)
   (11) 400 Meter Dash (girls)
   (12) 400 Meter Dash (boys)
   (13) 400 Meter Relay (girls)
   (14) 400 Meter Relay (boys)
   (15) 300 Meter Low Hurdles (girls)
   (16) 300 Meter Intermediate Hurdles (boys)
   (17) 800 Meter Run (girls)
   (18) 800 Meter Run (boys)
   (19) 200 Meter Dash (girls)
   (20) 200 Meter Dash (boys)
   (21) 3200 Meter Run (girls)*
   (22) 3200 Meter Run (boys)*
   (23) 1600 Meter Relay (girls)
   (24) 1600 Meter Relay (boys)
   (25) Field Events
Note: (a)    *The 3200 relay and run must be conducted in the normal order of running events. It is legal, however, to run each of these events jointly (boys/girls together).
    (b)    Other events, but not the javelin or hammer throw, are permissible.
    (c)    Co-ed relays are NOT permitted.
c.    If a student participates in more than the allowed number of events, the student is only disqualified from the excessive event(s). The points/places earned in the excessive event(s) shall be forfeited. Lower place winners will be advanced. (Rule 4-2-2)

d.    Pole Vault Competition (Rule 7-5)
    (1) Pole vault competition can only be scheduled at facilities where the rule book equipment specifications are met.
    (2) If a host school cannot schedule pole vault because equipment/facility does not meet rule book specifications, the following options are available to that host school:
      (a)    Conduct pole vault competition at an alternate site and add vaulting points to the total meet score.
      (b)    No pole vault competition – points are lost to the meet. Total team score from 17 events only.
    (3)    If a host school can schedule pole vault, but is competing with schools which do not sponsor pole vault because of illegal equipment/facilities, the conference (if a conference meet) or the host school (if a nonconference meet) shall determine meet events. Decisions which must be made include: if pole vault will be conducted and scored or if pole vault will be conducted for exhibition only.
    (4)    If a school, however, has legal equipment/facilities, but is not sponsoring pole vault because of lack of a coach or athletes, pole vault must be scheduled in meets with schools sponsoring pole vault and appropriate points for the pole vault forfeited to opponent(s).
e.  July of Appeals (Case Book Comment page 16)
Hearing and ruling on appeals of official's decisions, including the decision to re-run (or not re-run), who is eligible and when it will be occur.
STATE ASSOCIATION REGULATIONS
a.    Field Events
    (1)    Contestants in pole vault are required to take a second attempt at the same height or pass (if the first attempt is a miss) immediately after the first attempt.
       (a)     The option also is provided to take the third attempt (if the second attempt is a miss) immediately after the second attempt.
       (b)    The decision to pass must be communicated immediately to the event judge after the miss.
    (2)    Pole vault and high jump competition should be run using continuing flights whenever possible.  Contestants in the high jump are not required to take their second attempt immediately after their first miss.  NFHS Rule 7-2-8.
    (3)    Two feet of 2 inch thick additional padding is required around the landing pad area of the pole vault pit.  Any additional obstructions beyond the two-foot extension should also be padded.
    (4)    Three to four feet of 2 inch thick additional padding is required around the sides and back of the high jump landing pad.
    (5)    Athletes taking discus throws and shot put warm-ups are prohibited from taking more than two implements into the throwing circle at one time.
b.     Uniforms/Equipment
    (1)    Pole vaulters MAY wear a properly fitted helmet. The helmet should be “round and smooth and able to withstand multiple impacts”. Helmets should not have a facemask or visor attachment. Although a specific pole vault helmet does not exist at this time, possible helmet styles would include skateboard helmets, lacrosse helmets, hockey helmets, or bike helmets which meet the ASTM, NOCSAE or CPSC standard. The helmet should never be a substitute for safe equipment or
sound technique.
    (2)    Pole vaulters must weigh, in the presence of the athletic director and head track coach (if head coach is the athletic director, another administrator will assume this responsibility) three times per season.  Week 36 (March 4) or prior to the first competition, and no sooner than Weeks 40 (April 1) and 46 (May 13).  The pole vaulter’s weight must be recorded on the Weight Verification Form as per NFHS (Rule 7-5-3).  One copy of the form must be kept on file with each member school.  An additional copy must be made available on request by meet officials prior to each competition.  Failure to comply with weigh-in procedures will result in disqualification from that event.  
    (3)    Headwear – Only headbands or knit caps which are unadorned except for school name, school nickname, or school mascots are legal.
    (4)    A single manufacturer’s logo/trademark no more than 2 1/4 square inches with no dimension more than 2 1/4 inches is permissible on all items of apparel.
    (5)    Athletes must compete using the defined appropriate shoes/spikes.
    (6)    The identical relay uniform rule applies to all varsity and nonvarsity teams.
GUIDELINES FOR WHEELCHAIR ATHLETES
a.    Criteria: Anyone with a permanent disability resulting in loss of mobility is eligible. A statement of such a disability must be on file with the school nurse or designated personnel responsible for student health issues.  
b.    Equipment: Manual wheelchairs only. May be specialized racing chairs or court chairs. A throwing chair, maximum of 75cm high is allowed.  All participants must wear a protective helmet. All participants must wear protective gear as prescribed by their physician. Shoes are not required.  It is the responsibility of the athlete’s family to provide and maintain the wheelchair.
c.    Events: Traditional track events including the following events; 100, 400, 800, and 1600, meters. Field event; shot put, 4k for both boys and girls. There is a maximum of 4 events but no more than 3 track events may be contested in one single meet.
d.   When possible for races contested completely in lanes, one lane should be left open between athletes.
e.   All track events should be co-ed when possible.
f.    Rules of competition: Schools are expected to notify the host school (of the meet) 24 hours prior to the scheduled meet that they intend to have a wheeled athlete competing. All wheeled athletes must compete in separate races from able-bodied athletes.
    Wheeled athletes competing in the shot put may be included with the able bodied athletes but are considered exhibition.  
g.    Scoring: These events are considered “exhibition” only. No points will be awarded.
STATE ASSOCIATION RECOMMENDATIONS
a.    It is recommended that conference meets and invitationals follow the WIAA tournament order of events and other defined meet procedures.
b.    The conference (if a conference meet) or the host school (if a nonconference meet) shall determine how the discus throw, long jump, shot put, and triple jump are conducted (i.e., trials and finals, finals only, open pit, etc.).
c.    It is recommended that the continuing flight procedure be used for all high jump and pole vault competition.
d.    Acceleration zones cannot be used for indoor meets unless all legs of the relay are conducted in assigned lanes.
e.    By rule book definition relays are races between teams of four contestants each running one leg (distance). All other relays (for example – three person relay, high jump relay, etc.) do not meet rule book definition, thus the regulations of identical uniforms, relay event cards, etc., (unless specified by the meet management) do not pertain.

Track & Field Guidelines for Wheelchair Athletes

Wheelchair Athlete Form

Wheelchair Verification Form (Initial Sectional Entry-Due May 3)

Wheelchair Track & Field Physician's Form (kept on file at your school)

WIAA Tournament Information

Visually Impaired:  Running with a Guide