Understanding Decisions / Requests

A guide for Athletes

(Courtesy of England Athletics - East Officials Development Group - October 2007)

Field Event Competitors – Guidance Notes

The following points have been produced to assist athletes on the day of a competition. It is

hoped that your understanding of Field Officials “decisions/requests” will be enhanced and that

“silly failures” are eliminated.

1. Do not cross the track to the in field unless to compete in an event and only when an

official is in attendance. Never take a short cut across the in field.

2. Always arrive at the competition area to book in on time.

3. During a competition neither your coach nor any one else not competing in that event are

permitted to enter the competition area. Equally you are not permitted to leave the

competition area to receive advice.

4. Should you need to leave the competition area for any reason, you must inform the lead

official (that is the one with the card), before you leave and upon your return.

5. You must have your number visible both front and back when competing for all of your

trials. The only exception for this is in Pole Vault and High Jump where only one number

needs to be worn, either on back or front.

6. You must remain in the location indicated by officials whilst awaiting your trials.

7. You are not permitted to use a mobile phone, cd – mp3 – I pod – video players during a

competition.

8. You are not permitted to view a film of your trial, be it still or moving taken by a spectator

or coach from outside of the competition area during a competition.

9. If using your own implement you must first submit them to the Field Referee/Technical

Manager for weighing & approval.

10. Advice for Discus, Hammer or Shot, “Enter & Exit” via the back of the circle. You MUST

exit behind the centre line and the implement MUST have landed.

11. Only throw implements in the correct place and with the permission of an Official.

12. Practice throws or jumps are not permitted once a competition has started.

13. Any marks made for jumping competitions MUST be removed at the end of the event

14. When the result of your competition has been fully processed, it will be posted on the

results board. Please do not pester those in the recorders hut etc for advance information

of your result, this slows down the process and delays official publication of all results.

15. If you have a problem or are unsure – “ask an official”.

16. Thank officials at end of competition

17. Either take your litter home or place it in the appropriate bin

18. Do not take any practice throws or jumps without an official’s permission.

19. Do not play ball games or Frisbee etc in or near competition area

20. You must comply with any Code of Conduct that is in place for a specific competition

21. Do enjoy yourself

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