FAQ for upcoming track and field season
By Sheila Henderson and Traci Neely, Assistant Athletic Directors | Friday, March 18, 2011 9:22 AM
March marks the beginning of yet another track and field season for our Texas coaches and athletes. To prepare for the upcoming track season, we thought would answer some of our most frequently asked questions.
How many track meets can an individual or school participate in each season?
A student representing a participant school shall enter a maximum of eight (8) school meets prior to the district meet. Additionally, if a school chooses to participate in a regional qualifiers meet, it does not count toward one of the allowable eight for the season.
Can school time be missed in order to participate in a regular season track meet on a day other than the last day of the school week?
Students shall not miss any school time other than the in-school athletic class period. Events shall not begin until after the end of the academic school day for all schools involved. Meets scheduled on a Friday are exceptions to this rule (refer to Track and Field Plan, C&CR Section 1320).
Can someone who is not a full-time employee of the school district help coach a high school team?
No. Anyone who works with a school team in practice or competition must be a full-time employee of the school district.
What rules should track meets follow?
All UIL member school track and field competitions are required to abide by the National Federation High School (NFHS) rules and state modifications issued by UIL.
What are some Texas modifications to NFHS rules?
The one that brings about the most attention is the event limitation rule. Athletes must comply with established regulations for entry limits — no more than three running events (including the relays) and no more than five events total. A contestant is permitted to enter up to five field events. No contestant shall be allowed to enter more than two of the following individual events: 400-meter dash, 800-meter run, 1600-meter run and 3200-meter run. Additionally, an athlete may be listed on an entry form as an alternate for a relay, and it will not count against the allowable event limitations until participation has occurred. Please refer to the track and field coaches’ manual for a complete list of all state modifications.
What is the role of the meet director?
The 2011 NFHS track and field rules identifies the meet director as the official representative of host meet management and the person who is responsible for handling proper conduct. All meet directors are responsible for providing officials, securing entries, heating and seeding, arranging for programs and other such matters as may be required for the meet.
What new NFHS/UIL rules or changes are in place for this track season?
1) There is a new allowance for the use of bobby pins, barrettes and hair clips no longer than 2 inches to be worn to control a competitor’s hair (4-3-3). Certain types of devices may be worn to control the hair. The device must not pose a risk of injury, be considered jewelry or a type of adornment.
2) Field event judges may now change the order of competition (6-2-6) and allow successive trials to accommodate those who may be excused to participate in other events (7-2-6). This new language will create consistency of event rules regarding excused competitors.
3) After the regional meet directors have certified state qualifiers, the UIL staff will select one additional qualifier for each event to compete in the state meet. This qualifier will be the individual and/or relay team with the best overall time, mark or height from all regional meets per classification that did not finish first or second.
What is the NFHS rule change regarding consequences of wearing jewelry during the track meet?
The first violation no longer results in immediate disqualification. However, the team will be issued a warning. Any subsequent violation by any team member (per gender) will result in an automatic disqualification. At the time the referee contacts the school coach about the infraction, the coach (per gender) is responsible for the communication to all team members following a violation and warning. The meet referee or meet director should record any team warning and subsequent infractions.
What are the procedures and rules for pole vaulting?
It should be noted as a reminder to all field event coaches to verify the use of legal vaulting poles and properly rated poles (7-5-3). Contestants should be weighed and his/her poles checked at the time of their event. A manufacturer’s label must be in a contrasting color and clearly visible. There is also a new allowance for the warm-up procedure (7-5-16) for pole vaulters. A competitor who has passed on three or more consecutive heights shall be allowed a two-minute minimum run-through opportunity. Instructions for pole vault does have safety-related concerns. Pole vault contestant must receive instruction only from a full-time employee of the school district.
What should an athlete wear at a track meet?
School-issued track uniforms must be worn in all events. A male contestant wearing a body suit or compression attire must wear shorts also. Uniforms must completely cover the torso. All field event participants must compete in a school-issued uniform. T-shirts are not considered an acceptable uniform top. By rule, the meet referee or meet director may allow wristwatches.
The current regular and post-season information can be located within the Track Coaches manual, and information regarding state law can be found in the UIL/TEA Side by Side Document. Both documents can easily be downloaded from the UIL website and saved on your computer for reference.