Checking of Shot:
T The shot is one of the easiest implements to check. The following sections in ordered so that the more likely reasons for a shot to fail are checked first in order to minimize your time on equipment that will not pass. 1. Weigh the shot. This is the commonest reason for failure. Be careful to have something to keep the shot from rolling off the scale or off the table. 2. Check the shot for a removable hex nut for weight adjustment. Make sure it is tight so it can't be tampered with. Make a mark across one side of the nut to indicate the location of the nut when it was checked so you can see if it has been tampered with. 3. Pick up the shot. It should not have indentations other than the weight marking. Look for out of roundness, finger holds, or cracks. These are more easily seen if you are using rings to check the diameter. Make sure it is clean of any foreign substance that might affect the weight. If there is a significant indentation that might help with griping or there is significantly damages so it might be dangerous then impound the implement. This is the second most common reason for failure. But it is subjective. 4. Check the minimum and maximum diameter in at least three locations. If all pass, pass the implement. If you get one or more failures, then check at least two more locations. If you can't get at least three acceptable measurements impound the implement.
- If it passed all the tests then mark it. Mark it at a place where the paint is less likely to come off like at the weight mark or the hex screw. Then place it with the approved implements for the day. This is the recommended procedure but if you are short of help you may need to return it to the athlete to take to the competition site. If you are impounding an implement let the athlete know when he or she can pick up the implement after the event. Record the reason for impounding any implement in your notebook and place a piece of tape on the implement indicating why it was rejected. This will save you time if there is a protest or the coach or referee become involved. If the implement is light and it is a cast shot I will mark the implement as light so that it doesn't appear at the next meet. Athletes often go in and pick up a shot without knowing they are getting a light practice shot.
- Take the implements out to the competition area about 10 minutes before the warm-up time for the competition is scheduled or have an event official pick them up from you. Taping: The IAAF took a bold step this spring and eliminated the restrictions on taping for all field events. The new rule approved by the Council in May allows any type of taping except that fingers must be able to move independently, i.e. no taping of two fingers together. Otherwise taping on hands or back of hands or connections to wrists is now considered legal. I discussed this with the head of the Technical Committee when I was in Beijing and that is their intent. There are currently two proposed rule changes being presented at the convention. One copies the IAAF rule and the other restricts taping on the hand. We will have to see which is adopted by USATF. In any case there will continue to be a difference between what is allowed in NCAA and other jurisdictions.
Thickness at 6mm from outer edge (Minimum) 12mm 12mm (Maximum) 13mm 13mm
Rationale: USATF and IAAF conformance. This provision was
inadvertently omitted in the last printing.
Item 8 – Amend Rule 2-10.3 as follows: The handle may be either of single- or double-loop construction, but it must be rigid and without hinging joints of any kind and made so that it cannot stretch ((appreciably while being thrown)) more than 3millimeters under a tension load of 3.8kN. It must be attached to the wire in such a manner that it cannot be turned within the loop of the wire to increase the overall length of the hammer. The handle may have a curved or straight grip with ((a maximum inside perimeter width of 130millimeters and)) a maximum inside perimeter length of 110 millimeters. The sides of the handle may be straight or ((slightly curved where the sides meet the grip)) curved but cannot exhibit any loss of rigidity which would result in an increase in the overall length while being thrown. Rationale: USATF and IAAF conformance. There is no longer a restriction on the width of the handle or the shape of the sides. The focus is on control of total length. Consistency in rules promotes fewer errors by officials.
Item 27 – Amend Rule 5-9b as follows:
... (e.g. gloves, tape or adhesive substance);
Rationale: Provides better guidance in applying the rule.
Item 39 – Amend Rule 6-8.1 as follows: ... A competitor must start from a stationary position inside the circle. Cart wheeling techniques are not permitted. Rationale: USATF and IAAF conformance. Consistency in rules promotes fewer errors by officials.
Item 40 – Amend Rule 6-11.1 as follows: A legal hammer throw shall be made from the circle and shall land within the legal sector. A competitor must start from a stationary position inside the circle. There are no other restrictions on the positions and actions of the thrower. A competitor may interrupt... Rationale: This condition for circle throws was not as clearly specified as in the shot and discus.
Item 50 – Amend Rule 10-7.1 as follows: Where indoor facilities dictate, synthetic-covered implements with internal movement may be used. Only one type of implement shall be used in a competition
Rationale: To insure that all competitions are conducted with consistency
The proposed changes for USATF are:
Item 58 – Amend Rule 187.3 as follows and renumber: No device of any kind, which in any way assists a competitor when making a throw, shall be allowed.
- (a)
- The taping of ((individual fingers or)) multiple fingers together is not allowed. ((However, taping of individual fingers is permissible in the Hammer and Weight Throws. The use of tape on the hand shall not be allowed except in the case of need to cover an open cut.)) The use of tape on the wrist is allowed. The tape should be shown to the Chief Judge of the event before the event starts.
- (b)
- If taping is used on the hand and fingers, it may be continuous provided that as a result no two or more fingers are taped together in such a way that the fingers cannot move individually. (((d) A belt of leather or other suitable material may be worn at the waist by a competitor to protect the spine or back from injury.
- (e)
- In the Javelin Throw, a competitor may wear elbow protection.
(f) A competitor may wear other protection, such as a knee support, provided it is approved by the Games Committee prior to the start of competition or Referee during the competition.))
Reason: Conforming to an IAAF change. Items (d), (e) and (f) are moved to Rule 144.3
Item 61 – Amend Rule 188.3 as follows: NOTE 2: Indentations due to a weight stamp on cast shots or engraving of weight or size should not normally be considered reasons for disqualification of a shot for roughness or hand holds. Reason: To clarify that such shots are normally considered legal if they meet all the other specifications.
Item 62 – Amend Rule 188.4 as follows: *The maximum diameter for all outdoor shots used in USATF Masters competition shall be 130mm for men and ((120mm)) 110mm for the women ((4 kg)). ((** For Masters competition, the minimum weight is 5.450 kg.)) Reason: WMA Conformance and clarity that there is an exemption in USA competitions for men. The ** does not apply to Masters.
Item 63 – Amend Rule 189.3 Table as follows: In the 0.75kg column: Outside Diameter max. mm from ((169)) to 182*; Thickness at center max. mm from ((37)) to 39*; Reason: The 0.75kg discus was designed for bantam children and is too small for the hands of masters’ throwers whose hands do not get smaller as they get older. 0.75kg implements are available in the same size as 1kg implements, so they are already available.
Item 65 – Amend Rule 195 as follows:
- Construction -The weight shall consist of three parts: a head (ball), a handle, and a connection assembly which may contain a harness.
- Head -((The head shall be a solid sphere or a spherical bladder.
(a) The solid sphere shall be made of a metal not softer than brass, or of a shell of such metal or plastic filled with lead or other material , which will not deform on impact. If a filling is used, it must be inserted in such a manner that it is immovable and that the center of gravity shall be not more than 9mm from the center of the sphere. The maximum diameter of a sphere with a shell of plastic shall be no more than 15mm larger in diameter than the corresponding all metal implement and may only be used for indoor competitions. See table in
195.8 for specifications.
(b) Where indoor facilities dictate and for weights lighter than 56 lbs., a spherical bladder head may be used. The spherical bladder shall be made of a synthetic material which will return to its shape after impact. The bladder shall be filled with lead shot or other suitable material. The bladder shall surrounded by a harness and have no maximum diameter requirement.)) The head shall be a sphere. The sphere shall be (a) made of solid metal not softer than brass or (b) manufactured from a shell of such material, or a suitable polymer, entirely filled with lead or other material inserted in such a manner that the material is immovable. The center of gravity shall be not more than 6mm from the center of the sphere. A filled implement may deform upon impact, but must return to the shape of a sphere after such impact. See table in Rule 195.8 for specifications.
6. Connection -The handle shall be connected either directly to the head or to a harness.
(a) The direction connection shall be by means of no more than two steel links (loops), whose diameters shall not exceed 9.5mm. ((The handle shall be connected to the steel links by a loop; a swivel may not be used.))
For the solid implement, the handle shall be connected to a steel
link. A swivel may not be used at this connection. The head may
be connected to the links by means of a swivel that may be either
plain or with ball bearings ((for the solid sphere implement)). For the ((plastic filled)) polymer shell implement, a swivel is allowed between the ((ball)) head and the handle without the use of links.
(b) The connection to a harness ((for the bladder type implement shall)) may be by means of no more than two steel links (loops), whose diameter shall not exceed 9.5mm and a swivel ((may be placed between the two links. The harness shall have a minimum of four straps, sewn together to form a sling)). Netting of any kind shall not be used to form the harness. The harness must not stretch or show any evidence of elasticity where the overall length of the implement would increase while being thrown ((or malformation after the implement has been thrown)). A protective sleeve may be used around the links and/or swivel.
7. Length
NOTE 2: An implement presented for inspection must be measured for length with all components at their maximum lengths as designed by the manufacturer. The Connection cannot be switched to shorten or elongate the length. Implements shall not be altered or adjusted once inspected and approved for competition.
Reason: This recommendation from the work group is designed to clearly define what is allowable for the implement.
Item 67 – Amend Rule 202.3 Table as follows: For Women, add a 25# column and delete the 300# column. For Women 70+, add an ‘x’ for 25# and delete the ‘x’ for 56#. Reason: Brings this age group into line with the pattern for all other age groups for the Ultraweight Pentathlon (weight, superweight, next three weights up the ladder)
Item 83 – Amend Rule 301 as follows: YOUTH DIVISION Hammer (B-4kg, G-3kg) Reason: Coaching in the Youth Division is provided in the other three throwing events, and there is evidence to support introducing the Hammer for 13-14 year olds. It will afford greater opportunity to obtain college scholarships and greatly assist in becoming Olympic quality. It is becoming increasingly popular with younger athletes Boy and girl hammer throwers sufficiently advanced for inclusion on the national high school boys and girls top 50 ranking lists (120’+ girls and 150’+ boys) are training and competing in 24 states. Many other boys and girls 13 to 14 years of age of lesser throwing ability than those on the ranking lists are training and competing in additional states. The inclusion of the 4 kg hammer for boys and the 3 kg hammer for girls is to conform to IAAF recommendations for this age group.
Item 101 – Amend Rule 332.3(g) Table as follows: Add a new row for Men:
| Ages | Shot | Discus | Hammer | Javelin | Weight |
| 40-49* | 6kg | 1.75kg | 6kg | 800g | 15.88kg (35 lb) |
* Implements specified for this age group are not WMA approved and may be used by agreement only.
Reason: The 1.75kg discus was not an available implement at the time of the adoption of the original rule for this age group. The levels of participation and fairness, as witnessed by the age grading calculations, indicate that this needs to be done.
f you have any information on equipment that you have purchased or built to help with your weight and measure or technical managers’ activities a, please pass along the information. One of our goals is to disseminate that kind of information. As part of my trip to Beijing, I did take pictures of the Implement inspection equipment they were using.
Javelin Table and Shot Rings Javelin Balance
ow do I become certified Implement Inspector a Technical Manager or recertified if I have let my membership lapse? Currently USATF is the only organization having a national training and certification program for Track and
Field officials (particularly in the area of Implement Inspector
or Technical Manager. You can become an USA Track &
Field official by contacting your local association. To find out
whom to contact, send the editor a note and he will send you
your local contact name and the Weights & Measures open book review. This review is intended to test you on your knowledge of Implement Inspection techniques and Implement specifications so that you can be certified in this specialty. It covers all of the rulebooks. See the next article on the handbook. If you would like to have a clinic let the editor know. He can try to get some nearby clinicians to help out. There is also a review for becoming a Technical Manager. Both specialties have monographs which explain their duties. If you're interested in the Technical Manager's specialty
Hammer Stretcher Discus Templates
Implement Storage See Newsletter 17-2 for implement templates used at the World Masters last year in Italy.
George Kleeman 5104 Alhambra Valley Road Martinez, CA 94553-9773 T at no cost from the USATF Officials website at http://www.usatfofficials.com/training/ WMManual2008.pdf. The 2009 version which will include the 2009 rule changes will be available about the first of February. Look for it on line.