CLERK OF THE COURSE -- NCAA RULES
Uniforms
- An official team uniform must be worn; parts of it may not be removed in the competition area; the design must not be objectionable/offensive. The top must meet the briefs/shorts when standing – no bare midriffs. (4-3-1)
- Relay team members must wear a uniform of identical primary color; they may mix pants/ shorts/briefs/bodysuits; visible undergarments must be of the same solid color. (4-3-2)
- Only one manufacturer’s logo, max 2 ¼ sq. in. is permitted per uniform (4-3-3)
Numbers
- All athletes must wear assigned numbers when competing; they must be visible, without alteration. (4-3-4)
Shoes
- Runners may run in bare feet or with shoes on one or both feet; no more than 11 spikes per shoe. (4-3-5)
- Max spike length is 9mm for synthetic surfaces; may be set by the Games Committee/meet management.
Electronic Devices
- No audio/video devices in the competition area – CDs, DVDs, cameras, phones, headphones, I-pods, etc (4-5)
Starting Positions and Commands
- In races of less then 500 meters, runners may use either a crouch start (with or without blocks) or a standing start. The commands are: "On your marks," "Set," and then the gun. (5-1-4)
- In races of 500 meters or more, runners are placed 3 meters behind their starting line; the commands are: "On your marks" (runners then advance to the starting line for a standing start) and then the gun. (5-1-5)
Recall of Start
- If, in a race not run in lanes, a runner falls within the first 100 meters due to contact with another runner, the race will be recalled by means of a second gun. (5-1-6)
Practice Starts
- Practice starts are not allowed in conjunction with the starter's commands. (5-1-1)
Staggered Starts
- If more runners in a race than lanes, use waterfall or staggered alleys; all heats use same procedure. (5-1-7)
- 800m run: 1-turn stagger; 4x100 relay: 2-turn stagger; 4x200 relay: 4-turn stagger; 4x400 relay: 3-turn stagger; sprint medley relay: 3-turn stagger. (5-1-7, 5-8-3)
Relays - Passing Zones
- Zones are 10 meters on each side of the starting line for each leg (no marks); for legs of 200m or less internationa1/acceleration/fly zones (l0m ahead of passing zone) are used (max of 2 marks(tape)). (5-8-4)
Relays - Baton Exchange/Dropped Batons
- The baton must be smooth, rigid, hollow, one-piece, and have no tape or other material on it. (2-4-2)
- The receiving runner must take a position entirely within the passing zone or international zone. (5-8-4)
- The baton must be carried by hand and be passed - not thrown - within the zone. (5-8-5)
- If the baton is dropped within the passing zone, either runner may retrieve it; if dropped outside the zone, it
must be retrieved by the runner who dropped it. (5-8-5)
Relays - Receiving Positions
- When exchanges do not occur in assigned lanes, teams are aligned in the zone in the order of the incoming runners (normally their teammate’s position entering the straightaway). (5-8-4)
Relays - Positions After Passing the Baton
- Incoming runners must remain in their lane or established path until the course is clear. (5-8-6)
Medley Relay Legs Sprint medley: 200-200-400-800; Distance medley: 1200-400-800-1600 (5-8-3)
Rich Schornstein, Jan 2007, kidz1023@comcast.net
CLERK OF THE COURSE -- USATF RULES
Uniforms
- Uniforms must be clean, non-objectionable, and non-transparent when wet. (143.1)
- Relay runners must be identifiable as team members - meet-issued letters/numbers or identical shirt. (170.24)
Numbers
- All athletes must wear competition numbers; numbers may not be cut or folded. (143.4)
- Numbers must be worn visibly on front if 1 number, or front & back if 2 numbers (1 for HJ&PV) (143.5/6)
Shoes
- Runners may run in bare feet, or with shoes on one or both feet; no more than 11 spikes/shoe. (143.3)
- Max spike length 9mm for synthetic surfaces (or as set by meet officials); 25mm non-synthetic surfaces. (143.3)
Electronic Devices
- No audio/video devices in the competition area: CDs, DVDs, cameras, phones, headphones, I-pods, etc (144.3)
Starting Positions and Commands
- For races of 400m or less starting blocks and a crouch start must be used; blocks may not be used in longer races. Block holders–OK. (161.2/5, 162.6) Commands are: “On your marks,” “Set,” and then the gun. (162.3)
- For races of more than 400 meters, runners are placed 1-3 meters behind their starting line. The commands are: “On your marks” (runners then advance to the starting line) and then the gun. (162.3)
False Starts
- The first false start is charged to the field. Subsequent false starts are charged to individual runners who are then disqualified. (162.12)
Forming Heats (See Rule 166)
Starting Lines (lanes/not in lanes) & Staggered Starts (160.8)
- Outdoor: 200 entirely in lanes, 1 turn stagger; 400 – entirely in lanes, 2 turn stagger
- Indoor: 200 and shorter-entirely in lanes; over 200 but less than 800–in lanes for 2 turn stagger, then break
- Indoor & outdoor 800: in lanes for 1 turn stagger, then break. Small cones may be placed at the intersection of each lane and the break line.
- Relays: 4x100 entirely in lanes, 2-turn stagger; 4x200 entirely in lanes if possible, 3 or 4-turn stagger; 4x400 in lanes for 3-turn stagger, then break. (170.6)
Relays - Passing Zones
- Passing zones are 20 meters long, centered on the starting line for each leg. (170.2)
- In the 4x100, 4x200, and “Swedish (sprint medley) relays, the 2nd, 3rd, & 4th runners may start l0m outside of passing zone in the internationa1/acceleration/fly zone. (170.7)
- The zone center lines for the first exchange of the 4x400, and the second exchange of the 4x200 relays are the same as the start lines for the 800m run. (170.3)
- For exchanges in lanes, runners may place one check mark on the track in their lane. (170.11)
Relays - Baton Exchange
- The baton must be smooth, rigid, hollow, one-piece, with no material or other substance on it. (170.25)
- The baton must be carried by hand, if dropped it must be retrieved by the runner who dropped it. (170.12)
- The baton must be exchanged within the passing zone (position of baton is decisive). (170.14)
Relay Receiving Positions
- For the 4x400 relay, 3rd & 4th runners are placed on the track in the order of their teammates as they complete 200 meters; after that point they will not change positions. (170.9)
- For other relays with exchanges not made in lanes – no specific rule, but: outgoing runners are usually placed on the track in the order of the incoming runners as they enter the final straightaway. (170.10)
- Runners must remain in their lane until the course is clear. (170.16)
Medley Relay Legs Sprint medley: 200-200-400-800; Distance medley: 1200-400-800-1600 (12.2, 13.1)
Clerck information and equipment
Rich Schornstein, Jan 2007, kidz1023@comcast.net