Thursday, January 30, 2020

New Track and Field rule changes for 2020 season

https://www.nfhs.org/sports-resource-content/track-and-field-cross-country-rules-changes-2020/

For those of you that just can't bear to leave this blog, here are major rules changes. I checked with the rule's czar Hal Harkness and the field event's rule will not apply to the high jump. As always, feel free to leave a comment in the section below.

4-6-5g, 8-6-1e: Clarifies that a competitor should not be penalized for helping another competitor who is distressed or injured when no advantage is gained by the competitor who is assisting.
Rationale: The committee believes when no advantage is gained by a competitor helping a distressed or injured competitor, the competitor assisting should not be penalized for exhibiting good sportsmanship.
5-3-3 & 4, 5-10-6 thru 11: Clarifies that in the 4x100-meter relay and 4x200-meter relay, and other relays with legs of 200 meters or less, each exchange zone will be 30 meters long. All exchange zones for races in excess of 200 meters will remain at 20 meters. 
Rationale: In the 4x100-meter relay and 4x200-meter relay, and other relays with legs of 200 meters or less, each exchange zone will be 30 meters long. All exchange zones for races in excess of 200 meters will remain at 20 meters. 
6-2-6: Clarifies that it is illegal to run backward or in the opposite direction (non-legal direction) on a horizontal jump, pole vault or javelin runway. 
Rationale: This change promotes a more organized and efficient warm-up period.

15 comments:

Coach Small said...

Thanks Albert. Interesting about the relay zones... I’m assuming the zones are similar to international exchange zones, essentially from the acceleration zone to final zone?

Anonymous said...

if someone could pole vault while running backwards I would be pretty impressed

Albert Caruana said...

Josh, that is correct. The zones are now 30 meters and you can pass the baton anywhere inside those 30 meters.

As for the backward pole vaulting, I am sure you are kidding but the rule is meant to stop the jumpers and vaulters from warming up in the wrong direction on the runway to get their steps. I am all for this rule as it is silly to have your jumpers going in the wrong direction to get their steps. What if there is a headwind? It's much easier to have your jumpers do their approach and adjust their starting point based on how far they are off the board.

Anonymous said...

While it is a no-brainer about the backward pole-vaulting, I hope officials don't view the single back step that some jumpers use right before they get going. I know my son's coach has his jumpers use a quick single step back to raise their poles. I have seen long jumpers do this as well...
You know there is always that one official who goes beyond what the rule was intended to do.

Albert Caruana said...

The filed event rule is meant to stop athletes from warming up in the opposite direction.

Anonymous said...

Was there a CIF/CCS rule change this year allowing coed/mixed relays?
I see them on the Arcadia schedule of events and the San Mateo relays.
Or has that always been allowed and I just missed it?

Albert Caruana said...

I don't believe there have been any rule changes regarding co-ed relays. For many years, we attended the San Rafael Twilight Relays which had co-ed 4x200 and 4x800 races. I also remember attending a meet at Petaluma (I believe) which also had a co-ed relay race. Arcadia adding a co-ed race is new but I don't believe it's due to any bylaw changes.

Anonymous said...

Might be a CCS thing. I recall Andy Anderson/Santa Clara relays stopped doing a co-ed relay in that pre-season scrimmage meet around 2015/2016/17 due to something in the CCS by-laws. Don't know if that's been changed or it wasn't a correct interpretation. Maybe Coach L'Heureux knows.

Albert Caruana said...

I believe you are correct in that CCS did not allow sanctioned meets to have co-ed relays as well as coaches races. The races that I mentioned were hosted by NCS teams.

Anonymous said...

Vapor Flys legal for distance events?

Albert Caruana said...

Good question and will get the answer from you. I am assuming they are but never know.

Anonymous said...

Why would they not be allowed? They are a legal shoe. The cost is advantage for the rich schools but still legal.

Anonymous said...

Why would anyone want to wear Vaporflys on the track, they are terrible on that surface and would be a detriment rather than an advantage? Nick Symmonds next video on his YouTube channel will show you why.

Anonymous said...

Required viewing for those thinking of wearing Vaporflys for track season.
https://youtu.be/ux4SqdDU_Eo

Anonymous said...

Nick Simmonds is hella annoying

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