Joondalup Little Athletics Centre

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Information for Parents Helping On-Site

Timekeeping

To measure the elapsed time between the start of a race and the finish, whilst determining the order in which the competitors pass the finish line.

Definitions:

Start: At the first sign of smoke from the starter's gun, or sound if no smoke visible.

Finish: When any part of the runner's torso reaches the plane of the finish line.

Torso: That part of the body without head, neck, arms and legs.

Finish Line: A vertical plane running across all lanes, normally defined by a line marked on the ground and two vertical posts, one on each side of the track.

Dead Heat: When the appropriate judges agree that the torso of two or more runners cross the near edge of the finish line together.
NOTE: Equal times do not necessarily indicate a dead heat.

Points To Watch:

Ensure you have a stop watch
- in good working order
- set at zero prior to start of race
Hold the watch comfortably in the hand with the first joint of the forefinger on the start button.
Take up the slack as the starter calls "set".
Do not develop an exaggerated pushing or shaking movement when starting or stopping the watch – a small movement of the forefinger will suffice.
Clarify who you will be timing and be alert.
With about 30 metres of the race still to run, note the athlete or the lane you are timing and prepare to stop the watch (i.e. take up the slack).
Two watches on first place are needed to clarify a Centre Record.
Never reset you watch prior to agreement being reached with the Chief Timekeeper.
Always look at your watch prior to starting and remember to reset your watch to zero should a false start occur, when asked to do so by the Chief Timekeeper.
Times are rounded up to the nearest tenth of a second.
When timing distance or walking events it is not necessary or practical to time each runner with an individual watch. Two watches are used. Memory on the watch is recalled when the event is finished.

Starting

Equipment

Ear muffs, Whistle, Starting Gun, Caps, back board

Starter's Marshall

The Coordinator of a group acts as the Starter's Marshall for that group. The Starter's Marshall is responsible for organising the athletes into heats, and generally preparing the athletes for the start of the race. The Starter's Marshall's duties are as follows :

Receive athletes from the marshalling area.
Check athletes and age groups.
Count children and decide size of heats. There should be at least three athletes in each heat.
Use marshalling sheets, popsticks, or simply allocate athletes to lanes at random. Athletes should not select their own lane.
Make sure athletes waiting for their heat are well back from starting line.

Athletes who wear spikes should only put on their spikes after they have been organised into their heats and at the track waiting for their race.

Starter

The Starter is there to help the athletes get a good start. The Starter controls all aspects of starting. Decisions must be fair and correct at all times.

Starting procedures for races up to and including 400m:

Ensure that you have liaison with Chief Timekeeper.
Obtain the "all clear" from the Chief Timekeeper prior to each event. When all is ready use the whistle which will bring the competitors to the assembly line who are then in sole control of the starter.
In a clear voice, the athletes are given the command – 'on your marks'. They will respond by moving up to the line and adopting their starting stance.
When the Starter is satisfied that each athlete has his/her fingers/toes behind , not on, the starting line and are steady, he will raise the gun, to indicate to the Timekeepers that the start is imminent and in a softer tone, issue the command 'set'.
When the athletes are completely motionless, the gun is fired. Approximately, 2 seconds should elapse between the command 'set' and the firing of the gun:
- to enable athletes to reach peak concentration, and
- to enable the Starter to be sure all motion has ceased.

Starting procedure for 800m, 1500m and Walks:

As above except the command is 'on you mark' then the gun is fired when the athletes are steady.

Starting Positions

Starting on a straight line.
- Starter stands on the infield slightly in front of athletes to enable view in the narrowest angle of vision practicable.
- Staggered start in lanes (up to 400m).
- Ensure you are in a position to see all competitors in one line of vision and that all athletes can hear you.
Staggered start on curve.
- Similar to above but you will need to take a different position to enable all competitors to be seen clearly.
- Note: When a starter moves to a new position, they should check with the Chief Timekeeper to ensure that they are clearly visible to all timekeepers.

False Starts

If a competitor leaves his mark with hand or foot after the words 'on your marks' in the case of massed starts or 'set' in the case of laned starts as the case may be, and before the gun is fired, it is a false start. If more than one athlete takes off, the first one to leave the mark is the one deemed to have 'broken'. It is a natural instinct for others to follow. The athlete or athletes responsible must be cautioned.
Two false starts (breaks) by the same athlete lead to disqualification from the event.
If an athlete moves off or leaves his/her mark simultaneously with the firing of the gun they have gained an unfair advantage and thus have 'broken'. This is the only situation where the recall gun (second shot) is used.

Discus

Equipment

Measuring tape (50 or 100 metres), Discus in various weights, spike to hold zero end of tape, Recording sheets, cloth to wipe discus, broom to sweep circle.

Method of Measurement

The official places the spike (with the zero end of the tape) on the place of first contact with the ground closest to the circle.
The tape is drawn tight and through the centre of the circle.
The distance is measured at the point where the tape crosses the inner edge of the ring.
Measurements are made to the next centimetre below the distance if not a whole centimetre.
Ensure that a failed throw is recorded as a No Throw or NT.

Safety

Everyone stands behind the thrower and the sector should be clear.
The discus should be carried back to the circle – not thrown.
No one should stand on the right side of a right handed thrower or left side of a left handed thrower.
No throwing until called.
Helpers must always watch the discus and thrower.

Javelin

Equipment

Javelins in appropriate weights, measuring tape (100m), spike to hold zero end of tape, recording sheets.

Method of Measurement

From mark made by javelin to inside edge of throwing arc (in a line to the centre point of the run up).
Measurements to the next centimetre below if not a whole centimetre.
Ensure that a failed throw is recorded as a No Throw or NT.

Safety

Helpers must always watch the javelin and thrower.
Javelins must be carried back, never thrown.
No throwing until called.
Carry javelin vertically, point down.
Keep athletes behind the throwing area.

Shot Put

Equipment

Shot put in various weights, measuring tape (20 metre), spike to hold zero end of tape, recording sheets, cloth to wipe and clean the shot, broom to sweep the circle.

Method of Measurement

The official places the spike with the zero end of the tape on the place of first contact with the ground closest to the circle.
The tape is drawn tight and through the centre of the circle.
The distance is measured at the point where the tape crosses the inner edge of the ring.
Each measurement is to the nearest centimetre below the distance thrown if not a whole centimetre.

Safety

Everyone stands behind the thrower and the sector should be clear.
The shot should be carried back to the circle – not thrown.
Helpers should always watch the thrower and shot.
No throwing until called.

Long Jump

Equipment

Mat or strip in appropriate size, Measuring tape (20 metres), Rake, Broom, Shovel, powder, spike to hold zero end of tape, recording sheets.

Preparation for Event

Ensure sand pit is level with run up.
Sand should be dampened if it is dry.
Set mat or strip in position.
Put powder on mat.

Method of Measurement

Spike is placed at the break (imprint) made in sand by foot/hand etc., which is closest to the strip or the imprint made on take off mat by take off foot.
For the mats the tape is straightened so it lays over and in contact with imprint make by take off foot on the take off mat and the measurement taken from the closest point to the pit.
For the strip the tape is held parallel to the runway and measurement taken from the edge of the strip closest to the pit. The tape is drawn tight and the distance is measured to the nearest centimetre below distance jumped.
Ensure that a failed throw is recorded as a No Jump or NJ.
The mat and pit are not cleared until the all clear is given by the Chief Official.

Triple Jump

Equipment

Take off mats, measuring tape (20 metre), rake, broom, shovel, powder, spike to hold zero end of tape, recording sheets.

Preparation for Event and Method of Measurement

As for Long Jump

High Jump

Equipment

Measuring stick, recording sheets.

Preparation for Event

Ensure that the platforms that support the cross bar are facing the opposite upright.
Set bar at correct height measurement. Use the measuring stick to ensure the centre point of the cross bar is at the correct height.

Recording

O indicates the bar has been cleared.
X indicates a failure.
P indicates a pass.
- indicates the athlete did not jump.

Race Walking

To ensure a fair walk 6 judges are required. The placement of these judges is up to the Chief Judge.
The best position to judge is about 5 to 6 metres on the outside of the track.
Follow the action of the legs, noting the foot's, landing position, its swing and the leg from the time the leg supports the body.

Cautions

A caution is verbal.
A caution may be given to a competitor who by his actions is in danger of breaking the rules.
A judge can only caution a competitor once for being in danger of losing contact and once for being in danger of not having leg straight at first contact until in vertical upright position.

Warnings

A warning for disqualification is given be a judge if the competitor is actually breaking the rules of Race Walking.
A warning is given by calling out the competitor's number and telling him that he is reported and what the infringement is. These reports are recorded on a pad and handed to the recorder at the end of the race.
It is the Chief Judge's duty to inform an athlete of disqualification.
A judge can only warn a particular competitor once for either contact or knees.

Disqualification

A disqualification is brought about by the warnings of a competitor by any three judges

Joondalup Little Athletics Centre

Family • Fun • Fitness

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Rules and Policies

Information for Parents Helping On-Site

Timekeeping

Starting

Discus

Javelin

Shot Put

Long Jump

Triple Jump

High Jump

Race Walking