Important USATF Rule Changes for 2021
USATF implemented significant rule changes in 2021, with accepted proposals covering various aspects of athletics competitions. Key updates include sole thickness regulations for athlete shoes, false start management, trial time allowances, throwing event rules, and considerations for mixed age group races. These amendments aim to enhance the fairness and efficiency of track and field events, aligning with international standards set by World Athletics.
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USATF Rule Changes for 2021 This year was a rules year. 80 rule change proposals were presented to the Rules Committee for consideration. Of those, 53 were accepted either as proposed or as amended. In the following presentation I have tried to review the rule changes most relevant to our officials in the normal conduct of a USATF meet. The complete list of changes can be found in the 2020 USATF Annual Meeting Documents Library at this link. www.usatf.org/events/2020/2020-usatf-annual- meeting/2020-annual-meeting-document-library
Rule 143.3(e) The rule change designates sole thicknesses of athletes shoes for specific events. The rule change creates agreement with the new World Athletics rule. It is emphasized that officials will not need to measure sole thickness on shoes. World Athletics will publish a list of shoes that are legal.
Rule 162.15 Clarification in Note added NOTE: In practice, when one or more athletes commit a false start, others are inclined to follow and, strictly speaking, any athlete who does so has also committed a false start. The Starter should warn or disqualify only such athlete or athletes who, in the Starter s opinion, was/were responsible for the false start. This may result in more than one athlete being warned or disqualified. If the false start is not due to any athlete, (eg., a false start caused by external noise), no warnings shall be given and a green card shall be shown to all the athletes.
Rule 180.12(a) Time Allowed for Trials Note Added NOTE 3: The Referee may determine that factors independent of the competitor s own action, (i.e. marks removed or weather issues) exist to justify awarding additional time. Remember that last year, USATF went back to the one-minute time limit for initiating a trial. Masters remain at 30-seconds for events other than the Pole Vault (one-minute) Check your rule book for complete time limit listings.
Rule 187.1 Throwing Event General Rules Minor wording changes within the rule and note added NOTE: There is no restriction on how, or from which direction, an athlete may enter the circle. The relevant requirement is that once inside they must adopt a stationary position before commencing their trial. Entry from the front half of the circle, or making contact with the stop board, before establishing a position at the rear of the circle generally satisfies the condition of being stationary.
Rule 300.1(e) Note Added Note: When, as determined by the Referee, there is an insufficient number of competitors reporting within an age group for a track event, such that separate races eliminates the element of competition, a mixed age group race of the same gender may be authorized. The finish order within each age group shall be separate for all scoring and awards. (Allows combining age groups, but not boys and girls, in Youth and Junior Olympic competitions when numbers of competitors in an age group are too small to provide reasonable competition. Results will still be separated by age group
Rule 302.5(g) Youth Athletics Privately owned ((javelins)) implements shall be exempt from the loss-of-identity provision in Rule 187.10.
Rule 302.5(j) Youth Athletics In all age divisions of the High Jump and Pole Vault an athlete may be assisted by a designated person in establishing the location of marks prior to the start of competition. In the Long Jump, athletes in the 8 and under and 9-10 Age Divisions may be assisted by a designated person in establishing the location of their marks prior to the start of competition. Rule 181.3 will apply, except that no more than three marks may be used, and such marks cannot exceed 3 inches in length. NOTE: At all levels of competition, the individual providing assistance shall have a field of play credential issued by management. This assistance and start of competition shall be flight specific.
Rule 302.5(r) Youth Athletics Rule 302.6 Youth Athletics Combined Events In the High Jump and Pole Vault, each competitor who has not taken an initial trial in at least one hour from the first trial of the competition shall be permitted no more than two run throughs within a minute and a half in the high jump and two minutes in the pole vault. Such run throughs shall be taken at a height change under the direction of the event official without the crossbar or bungee in place. The competitor(s) shall make at least one attempt at this height.
Rule 302.5(p) Youth Athletics When a High Jump or Pole Vault competitor is excused to participate in a running event, a reasonable time limit shall be established by the Games Committee or delegated to the affected Field Event Judge. If the competitor has failed to return in the allotted time, and all other remaining competitors have passed, failed or cleared the existing height, the crossbar shall be raised once to the next height and the judge will automatically pass the excused competitor to the new height before using Rule 181.6.
As a companion: Amend Rule 181.6 as follows: ... If a competitor is not present when all other competitors who are present have completed the competition, the Referee shall deem that such absent competitor has forfeited the right to continue in the competition once the period for one further trial has elapsed. NOTE 1: The effect of this Rule is that a competitor may forego second or third attempts at a particular height (after failing the first or second time) and still jump or vault at a higher height. NOTE 2: For Youth Athletics exception see Rule 302.5(p).
Rule 302.5(t) Youth Athletics New Rule Added Warm-ups shall not be allowed unless supervised by an event official and the event venue has been declared open by the Chief Event official with direction from the Meet Director. Warmup approaches in the long jump, triple jump, javelin and pole vault may only be taken in the direction in which the event is contested. Running in the opposite direction either on or adjacent to the runway is forbidden.
