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Cross Country Announcement -- 2008-09
Cross Country/Track and Field Uniform Rule Interpretation
The following is an IHSA interpretation of the NFHS T&F/Cross Country Uniform Rule 4-3. We have had several early inquiries relative to
a new uniform item coming on the scene most recently during the recent Olympic Games and Trials. The item in question is a set of sleeves (or perhaps
even a single sleeve) that covers the athletes’ arm or arms, but that are not attached to any part of the competitor’s jersey or top piece of the uniform (see
photo below). After consulting with IHSA Head Officials and the National Federation T&F Administrator, we have determined that the “sleeves” do not
comply with our uniform rule, and they will not be allowed during interscholastic cross country and track/field competition. The items are not part of the
actual uniform, nor are they a part of the allowable undergarment. The sleeves are considered an adornment and therefore unnecessary since the
athletes are already allowed to wear a garment “underneath” the top or bottom of the uniform to aid in comfort during cold weather events.
In 2007 the NFHS included this slide and text in the Rules Interpretation Power Point.
Here we see a runner wearing items on his arms in excess of the school uniform.
The items on the arms are not an undergarment and are not a support or brace.
The games committee and/or State Association would have the authority to restrict the wearing of such items.
If the officials notice an item in question the matter should be resolved before conducting the event
Cross Country/Track and Field Uniform Rule Interpretation
The following is an IHSA interpretation of the NFHS T&F/Cross Country Uniform Rule 4-3. We have had several early inquiries relative to
a new uniform item coming on the scene most recently during the recent Olympic Games and Trials. The item in question is a set of sleeves (or perhaps
even a single sleeve) that covers the athletes’ arm or arms, but that are not attached to any part of the competitor’s jersey or top piece of the uniform (see
photo below). After consulting with IHSA Head Officials and the National Federation T&F Administrator, we have determined that the “sleeves” do not
comply with our uniform rule, and they will not be allowed during interscholastic cross country and track/field competition. The items are not part of the
actual uniform, nor are they a part of the allowable undergarment. The sleeves are considered an adornment and therefore unnecessary since the
athletes are already allowed to wear a garment “underneath” the top or bottom of the uniform to aid in comfort during cold weather events.
In 2007 the NFHS included this slide and text in the Rules Interpretation Power Point.
Here we see a runner wearing items on his arms in excess of the school uniform.
The items on the arms are not an undergarment and are not a support or brace.
The games committee and/or State Association would have the authority to restrict the wearing of such items.
If the officials notice an item in question the matter should be resolved before conducting the event
| Rules Discussion & Challenges |
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2009 Track and Field Rules Changes
3-9-2: Specifies that for gun starts only a closed barreled starter's pistol may be used by the starter.
Rationale: It is not appropriate to use a live weapon at an educational event and in most cases state law prohibits firearms on
school grounds and school events. The starter's pistol is adequate to produce the desired result for the starting of a race.
3-9-6: When fully automatic timing (FAT) is used, timing shall be recorded in one one-hundredths of a second and all ties for place
finishes and/or determining qualifiers for a subsequent round shall be broken by using timing to one one-thousandths of a second
if the system allows.
Rationale: Fully automated timing is considered accurate and reliable enough to use 1/1000th to break ties and advance
competitors to subsequent rounds of competition and is therefore reliable and accurate enough to break ties to determine final
places or lane assignments.
3-9-9 new: Indoor and outdoor meets using fully automatic timing (FAT) may be started by a .32 or .22 caliber starter's pistol
(closed barrel) or electronic, gunless devise for record purposes.
Rationale: The FAT systems do not require the noise of a .32 caliber, and a .22 caliber is clearly heard by competitors and provides
adequate smoke for manual timing.
6-4-9c, 6-5-9c: A competitor in the throwing events may enter and exit the circle without a foul providing it occurs within the time
allowed for the trial and before the competitor starts his/her attempt beginning with the pause.
Rationale: The competitor should be able to exit the circle and return to dry his/her hands, clean his/her shoes, wipe off the
throwing implement etc. without penalty providing the throw is completed within the allotted time which begins when the
competitor is called "up."
7-4-11, 7-5-18: Deletes the option for the event judge to place a cloth marker on the crossbar for sighting purposes.
Rationale: The current crossbars are of a bright contrasting color which no longer present a sighting problem for competitors and
therefore the use of the cloth is no longer in use for competition.
7-5-3 Note new: Visible etchings which appear on poles shall not meet the requirement of the manufacturer's pole rating appearing
on the pole in a contrasting color.
Rationale: Most poles have an etching on the pole which is a code to the manufacturer. This code most frequently does not
correspond to the proper weight rating for the pole. The rating appearing as the mark in contrasting color is established by the
manufacturer is clearly visible and serves only this purpose. The requirement is for purposes of risk minimization and should be
adhered to strictly.
7-5-29: Clarifies the original intent to permit a competitor in the pole vault to abort the approach and in stopping plant the pole and
momentum causes his/her feet to leave the ground without being considered a foul. It is a foul if a vaulter leaves the ground in an
attempt and fails to clear the crossbar.
Rationale: The change in 7-5-29 last year by the committee was not intended to allow a vaulter to abort a vault but rather to have
the opportunity to stop and abort the approach. However, the language was not clear and as written allowed a vaulter to abort a
vault. This change clearly reflects the original intent of the committee to abort only the approach and have the opportunity to restart
the approach. This exception is appropriate for the high school vaulter.
2009 Track and Field Points of Emphasis
1. ELECTRONIC DEVICES - In NFHS rules, the determination of allowed electronic devices lies directly with the games committee. In
general, the NFHS rules do not completely eliminate the use of personal electronic devices by coaches, contestants or officials.
However, the games committee can completely prohibit the use of any electronic devices. The NFHS rules do prohibit the use of
wireless communication devices, other than the official communication equipment, unless approved by the games committee. The
use of any wireless device to communicate performance or technique information, including pictures, between coaches and
student-athletes is prohibited.
2. OBSERVED VIOLATION REPORTING PROCEDURES - There is a defined procedure for umpires/event judges to follow when
reporting observed violations. The umpire/event judge should report the observed violation to the head umpire or field referee/head
field judge. The report must include complete information regarding the observed violation. The individual or school must be
positively identified at the time of the observed violation and specific details of the rule violation must be reported. The head umpire
or field referee/head field judge will evaluate the information and if merited report the observed violation to the referee. The referee
will evaluate the information and make a determination if a disqualification is warranted. The referee will notify or cause to be
notified, the competitor or the competitor's coach, of the disqualification.
3. STARTER'S PISTOL - In some states, by state law, and for all practical purposes, on any school property, pistols used for starting
purposes should be disabled from being able to discharge live rounds of ammunition. When using a gun for the starting device,
starting pistols are now, required by rule, to be a closed-barrel starting pistol, incapable of discharging a live round. Track and field
and cross country starters should cease using any caliber pistol that is capable of firing live ammunition.
4. EQUIPMENT FAILURE - Competitors shall not be penalized if their performances are affected by the malfunction of meet
equipment. When equipment, such as jumping event standards or timing devices, malfunctions and a competitor's performance or
advancement is affected, the competitor should be allowed an additional trial or opportunity. It is important that meet officials
inspect equipment before competition and have that meet management correct any problems. Once competition begins, officials
should be cognizant that there could be equipment malfunction.
5. POLE VAULT - NFHS rules include specific requirements on the pole. Making physical alterations to the pole may change the
manufacturer's pole rating, thus making the pole illegal. Poles shall not be shortened or altered in any manner. Coach's education
is an important element of pole vaulting. Competitors need detailed and specific instruction regarding vaulting techniques.
Increased performance height and new vaulting techniques require pole vault coach professional development.
6. UNDERGARMENTS - The design and style of undergarments is constantly changing. The Track and Field and Cross Country Rules
Committee has reaffirmed the requirements of Rule 4, Section 3, Art. 1, d., Rule 4, Section 3, Art. 2, b., and Rule 9-6-1b(8). Items
displaying seams stitched on the outside of the garment in a visible contrasting color to the undergarment will be illegal beginning
with the 2009-10 school year. The one-year exemption is a result of a previous interpretation approved by the committee and
distributed by the NFHS. There are undergarments available for purchase by schools and athletes that are not in compliance with
NFHS uniform rules. Coaches must be aware of the rule requirements when purchasing undergarments, and must inform students
- who are purchasing their own competitive undergarments - of the rules to avoid non-compliance.
7. RULE ENFORCEMENT THROUGHOUT THE SEASON - The NFHS Track and Field Rules Committee has worked hard to provide a
code of rules and interpretations that are the foundation for creating fair and equitable competition for all student participants.
However, the creation of these rules is only one-third of the formula for success - only one leg of a three-legged stool that must
always be balanced to provide fairness for all.
Successful meets require a core of knowledgeable workers. The development of individuals who are knowledgeable about track
and field rules is the second leg of the stool. While some states have registered officials groups, in most states athletic directors
and track and field coaches recruit volunteers from parent and community groups as well as school faculty members to assist
with officiating responsibilities at interscholastic meets. Therefore, it falls to these track and field leaders to educate the
numerous individuals who are necessary to run a successful meet. School administrators and their track and field coaches should
obtain a copy of the three NFHS track and field publications - the rules book, case book and the officials manual. Once volunteers
have been secured, they should be provided with the NFHS rules materials so that they can become knowledgeable of and familiar
with the NFHS rules and interpretations prior to a meet. The committee suggests that training seminars also be held to develop the
familiarity with the rules so that events are run by the rules and fair competition is provided all student participants.
The third leg of the stool is the actual management of the meet. The NFHS Officials Manual provides a simple, yet thorough,
description of each worker's responsibility, whether volunteer or registered official. The mission of each worker should be
fairness to all participants. That fairness starts with making sure that all timing, marks and judgments are made by workers who
understand the rules.
Well-run regular-season meets ensure that, as student participants progress toward postseason competition, they will be involved
in meets that have a knowledgeable work force. There is little that is more frustrating for coaches, administrators, state
association staff and student participants and their parents when participants are disqualified during a postseason meet even
though they were allowed to compete during the regular season wearing an illegal uniform, using an improper technique or using
illegal equipment.
Keeping fairness to each participant at the core will ensure that meets are run consistently and fairly. Rules, the educating
coaches, participants and workers about those rules, and properly managing events keeps the three-legged stool properly
balanced, which creates a winning combination for all.
3-9-2: Specifies that for gun starts only a closed barreled starter's pistol may be used by the starter.
Rationale: It is not appropriate to use a live weapon at an educational event and in most cases state law prohibits firearms on
school grounds and school events. The starter's pistol is adequate to produce the desired result for the starting of a race.
3-9-6: When fully automatic timing (FAT) is used, timing shall be recorded in one one-hundredths of a second and all ties for place
finishes and/or determining qualifiers for a subsequent round shall be broken by using timing to one one-thousandths of a second
if the system allows.
Rationale: Fully automated timing is considered accurate and reliable enough to use 1/1000th to break ties and advance
competitors to subsequent rounds of competition and is therefore reliable and accurate enough to break ties to determine final
places or lane assignments.
3-9-9 new: Indoor and outdoor meets using fully automatic timing (FAT) may be started by a .32 or .22 caliber starter's pistol
(closed barrel) or electronic, gunless devise for record purposes.
Rationale: The FAT systems do not require the noise of a .32 caliber, and a .22 caliber is clearly heard by competitors and provides
adequate smoke for manual timing.
6-4-9c, 6-5-9c: A competitor in the throwing events may enter and exit the circle without a foul providing it occurs within the time
allowed for the trial and before the competitor starts his/her attempt beginning with the pause.
Rationale: The competitor should be able to exit the circle and return to dry his/her hands, clean his/her shoes, wipe off the
throwing implement etc. without penalty providing the throw is completed within the allotted time which begins when the
competitor is called "up."
7-4-11, 7-5-18: Deletes the option for the event judge to place a cloth marker on the crossbar for sighting purposes.
Rationale: The current crossbars are of a bright contrasting color which no longer present a sighting problem for competitors and
therefore the use of the cloth is no longer in use for competition.
7-5-3 Note new: Visible etchings which appear on poles shall not meet the requirement of the manufacturer's pole rating appearing
on the pole in a contrasting color.
Rationale: Most poles have an etching on the pole which is a code to the manufacturer. This code most frequently does not
correspond to the proper weight rating for the pole. The rating appearing as the mark in contrasting color is established by the
manufacturer is clearly visible and serves only this purpose. The requirement is for purposes of risk minimization and should be
adhered to strictly.
7-5-29: Clarifies the original intent to permit a competitor in the pole vault to abort the approach and in stopping plant the pole and
momentum causes his/her feet to leave the ground without being considered a foul. It is a foul if a vaulter leaves the ground in an
attempt and fails to clear the crossbar.
Rationale: The change in 7-5-29 last year by the committee was not intended to allow a vaulter to abort a vault but rather to have
the opportunity to stop and abort the approach. However, the language was not clear and as written allowed a vaulter to abort a
vault. This change clearly reflects the original intent of the committee to abort only the approach and have the opportunity to restart
the approach. This exception is appropriate for the high school vaulter.
2009 Track and Field Points of Emphasis
1. ELECTRONIC DEVICES - In NFHS rules, the determination of allowed electronic devices lies directly with the games committee. In
general, the NFHS rules do not completely eliminate the use of personal electronic devices by coaches, contestants or officials.
However, the games committee can completely prohibit the use of any electronic devices. The NFHS rules do prohibit the use of
wireless communication devices, other than the official communication equipment, unless approved by the games committee. The
use of any wireless device to communicate performance or technique information, including pictures, between coaches and
student-athletes is prohibited.
2. OBSERVED VIOLATION REPORTING PROCEDURES - There is a defined procedure for umpires/event judges to follow when
reporting observed violations. The umpire/event judge should report the observed violation to the head umpire or field referee/head
field judge. The report must include complete information regarding the observed violation. The individual or school must be
positively identified at the time of the observed violation and specific details of the rule violation must be reported. The head umpire
or field referee/head field judge will evaluate the information and if merited report the observed violation to the referee. The referee
will evaluate the information and make a determination if a disqualification is warranted. The referee will notify or cause to be
notified, the competitor or the competitor's coach, of the disqualification.
3. STARTER'S PISTOL - In some states, by state law, and for all practical purposes, on any school property, pistols used for starting
purposes should be disabled from being able to discharge live rounds of ammunition. When using a gun for the starting device,
starting pistols are now, required by rule, to be a closed-barrel starting pistol, incapable of discharging a live round. Track and field
and cross country starters should cease using any caliber pistol that is capable of firing live ammunition.
4. EQUIPMENT FAILURE - Competitors shall not be penalized if their performances are affected by the malfunction of meet
equipment. When equipment, such as jumping event standards or timing devices, malfunctions and a competitor's performance or
advancement is affected, the competitor should be allowed an additional trial or opportunity. It is important that meet officials
inspect equipment before competition and have that meet management correct any problems. Once competition begins, officials
should be cognizant that there could be equipment malfunction.
5. POLE VAULT - NFHS rules include specific requirements on the pole. Making physical alterations to the pole may change the
manufacturer's pole rating, thus making the pole illegal. Poles shall not be shortened or altered in any manner. Coach's education
is an important element of pole vaulting. Competitors need detailed and specific instruction regarding vaulting techniques.
Increased performance height and new vaulting techniques require pole vault coach professional development.
6. UNDERGARMENTS - The design and style of undergarments is constantly changing. The Track and Field and Cross Country Rules
Committee has reaffirmed the requirements of Rule 4, Section 3, Art. 1, d., Rule 4, Section 3, Art. 2, b., and Rule 9-6-1b(8). Items
displaying seams stitched on the outside of the garment in a visible contrasting color to the undergarment will be illegal beginning
with the 2009-10 school year. The one-year exemption is a result of a previous interpretation approved by the committee and
distributed by the NFHS. There are undergarments available for purchase by schools and athletes that are not in compliance with
NFHS uniform rules. Coaches must be aware of the rule requirements when purchasing undergarments, and must inform students
- who are purchasing their own competitive undergarments - of the rules to avoid non-compliance.
7. RULE ENFORCEMENT THROUGHOUT THE SEASON - The NFHS Track and Field Rules Committee has worked hard to provide a
code of rules and interpretations that are the foundation for creating fair and equitable competition for all student participants.
However, the creation of these rules is only one-third of the formula for success - only one leg of a three-legged stool that must
always be balanced to provide fairness for all.
Successful meets require a core of knowledgeable workers. The development of individuals who are knowledgeable about track
and field rules is the second leg of the stool. While some states have registered officials groups, in most states athletic directors
and track and field coaches recruit volunteers from parent and community groups as well as school faculty members to assist
with officiating responsibilities at interscholastic meets. Therefore, it falls to these track and field leaders to educate the
numerous individuals who are necessary to run a successful meet. School administrators and their track and field coaches should
obtain a copy of the three NFHS track and field publications - the rules book, case book and the officials manual. Once volunteers
have been secured, they should be provided with the NFHS rules materials so that they can become knowledgeable of and familiar
with the NFHS rules and interpretations prior to a meet. The committee suggests that training seminars also be held to develop the
familiarity with the rules so that events are run by the rules and fair competition is provided all student participants.
The third leg of the stool is the actual management of the meet. The NFHS Officials Manual provides a simple, yet thorough,
description of each worker's responsibility, whether volunteer or registered official. The mission of each worker should be
fairness to all participants. That fairness starts with making sure that all timing, marks and judgments are made by workers who
understand the rules.
Well-run regular-season meets ensure that, as student participants progress toward postseason competition, they will be involved
in meets that have a knowledgeable work force. There is little that is more frustrating for coaches, administrators, state
association staff and student participants and their parents when participants are disqualified during a postseason meet even
though they were allowed to compete during the regular season wearing an illegal uniform, using an improper technique or using
illegal equipment.
Keeping fairness to each participant at the core will ensure that meets are run consistently and fairly. Rules, the educating
coaches, participants and workers about those rules, and properly managing events keeps the three-legged stool properly
balanced, which creates a winning combination for all.