Updated 1/5/2017
2017 USATF Rule Changes Made Simpler
This document is based on the Final Report of the Rules Committee actions
taken at the 2016 Annual Meeting in Orlando. It has been updated based on
how items will be presented and numbered in the 2017 USATF Rule Book.
* This is not the official report of the Rules Committee and does not, in some cases, have the exact
language of the new rules but summarizes the changes. I created this to give you a “simpler guide”
that highlights the basics of what happened at the Annual Meeting. In the areas you officiate, you
should review the new rules in their entirety. * If you plan to print this document, it is set up with 1”
side margins and .8 top and bottom.
As always, anyone with comments or those finding mistakes or needing clarification can contact me
through email at [email protected]
Laurie Boemker, Officials’ Vice-Chair - Rules
* To access the official rules’ documents you can go to USATF.org. Go to the Events Calendar at the
top then click on the Annual Meeting. Find Documents Library on the left side and open it. Scroll to
the bottom. You will see the proposed rule changes. You can also click on the 2017 Scorecard to find
out what actions were taken. If the scorecard shows an A, it means the proposal was accepted with
the proposed language. If the scorecard shows AA, it means the proposal was accepted as amended,
as was the case in Items 2, 24, 31, 40 and 51. To see that amended language, you can continue to
pages 2 and 3 of the scorecard.
This is the action taken on items that were not approved.
Tabled:
Item 1, Item 4, Item 39, Item 41, Item 45
Rejected:
Item 13, Item 15, Item 16, Item 35, Item 43, Item 49
Withdrawn: Item 29, Item 33, Item 44, Item 47
Important: Everything listed in this guide is based on the final scorecard that was
issued by the Rules Committee. When the Final Draft of the 2017 Rule Book went to
the printer a few “housekeeping,” renumbering, and wording changes were made.
These changes did not change the substance of the new rule.
If you do not find things in the 2017 Rule Book, exactly the way they are listed here,
they are likely just in another section of the same rule.
For example
In item 2, we expected (c) to become Decathlon, it is actually (b) in the new Rule Book. The
result is still what was intended, the Decathlon joined the Heptathlon, Indoor Pentathlon,
and Club Relay Championships. It is simply that the letters used were rearranged.
Updated 1/5/2017
Item 2: Accepted as amended
Rule 13.1
Topic: The Women’s Decathlon
Under Women (c) becomes Decathlon (See Rule 200) and the current (c) becomes (d).
This means, at the discretion, of the National Track and Field Committee the Decathlon
for Women may be conducted.
** This does not require that a Women’s Decathlon be conducted.
Rule 200.2 (c) Topic: The Order of Events in the Women’s Decathlon
The Decathlon, which shall be conducted on two consecutive days according to the order
in rule 200.1 (b) or the following order:
This means the order for women can be either the traditional order used by the men or
follow the order in the current rule under Competition for women which has the Men’s
Day 1 Field events listed on the Women’s Day 2 and the Men’s Day 2 Field events listed
for Women on Day 1.
* This option allows for two different orders of events which would likely be decided by the meet
management based on the facility’s capabilities.
Item 3: Accepted
Rule 4.3
Topic: Eligibility for Team Championships
Add the following language to the current rule as a new section 3.
For the Track and Field Club Championship:
(a) A club within an Association which is not located within and MSA (Metropolitan
Statistical Area) is limited to scoring members who reside – as defined by federal, state,
and local tax protocols – in the Association’s territory.
(b) A club within an Association in an MSA which is wholly within the Association’s
territory is limited to scoring members who reside in the Association’s territory.
(c) A club within an Association in an MSA which includes territory in one or more other
Associations may draw from anywhere within its Association’s territory and anywhere
within the single MSA within which it is located, provided all members transfer their
membership to the club’s Association (see Regulation 4-C for more information on
transfers.)
Item 5: Accepted
Rule 125.1
Topic: Clarifies the Duties of the Video Referee
The Video Referee should operate from the Video Control Room and shall, (which implies
MUST) be in communication with the appropriate other referees.
* The rationale is that video referees should not act independently but need to communicate with
any and all Referees charged with making rulings on running or field event violations.
Updated 1/5/2017
Item 6: Accepted
Rule 144.3
Topic: Rules of Competition, Assistance to Athletes in Youth Competition
This rule involves images recorded by people not in the competition area.
Add NOTE: See Rule 302.5 (t) for the Youth Exception.
* The rational is that youth competitions often allow people to get right next to the competition
area and there needs to be language that more clearly spells out video restrictions.
Item 7: Accepted
Rule 146.3
Topic: Protests and Appeals and Access to Official Materials including Video
The deletion of language in this rule means that, prior to filing a written protest or
appeal, the person making the protest or appeal does not have the right to review any
official material relevant to the incident.
* The rationale is that this is not an IAAF rule but a procedure and what will or won’t be allowed
shall be determined by the Sport Committees governing the competition.
Item 8: Accepted
Rule 148.2
Topic: Measurements in Field Events
This rule simply cleans up the wording regarding measurements made in field events to
reflect current practice when either a tape or electronic measuring device is used.
Item 9: Accepted
Rule 125.7 and 129.5
Topic: Starter and Recall Starter
These rules regarding the start are to be deleted as unnecessary duplications. There is
new language regarding the start due to the passage of Item 54 (that will become part of
Rule 162).
Item 10: Accepted
Rule 163.11
Topic: Wind Gauge Placement in the LJ and TJ when multiple boards are used
Regarding placement of the wind measuring instrument add NOTE: When multiple
boards are used, the 20m distance is from the board furthest from the pit.
* The rationale is that the current rule has language best suited when all athletes use a common
take-off board. The current rule implies, if multiple boards are used, that the wind device would
need to be moved or that more than one wind device would need to be set up. Both requirements
are ridiculous. Also, it is likely that any records would be set from the board furthest from the pit.
Updated 1/5/2017
Item 11: Accepted
Rule 170.17
Topic: Passing the Baton
This clarifies what constitutes a legal baton pass. It commences when the baton first
touches the hand of the receiving runner and ends when the baton is only in the hand of
the receiving runner.
It also clarifies that this action must take place entirely within the exchange zone.
Item 12: Accepted
Rule 180.9 (b)iii Topic: Rotating Flights (Known as “Five Alive”) in the HJ and PV
This rule change eliminates rotating flights in the High Jump and Pole Vault.
* The rationale is to bring USATF rules into compliance with the IAAF. Also, rotating flights are
not needed now that time limit is one minute when there are four or more jumpers. Finally, the
rule is often used incorrectly since many officials do not know how to use the rotating flight method
properly despite the availability of training clinics and other materials.
Item 14: Accepted
Rule 181.2
Topic: Measuring the Bar in the High Jump and Pole Vault
This new rule states that all measurements of the bar in the high jump and pole vault
must be made from a point on the same level as the takeoff. In addition, it states a new
measurement must be made when a new bar replaces a broken one and, in all cases,
regarding record attempts, judges must measure the bar before the first attempt and
re- check the height before any other attempt if the bar had been displaced or touched.
* The measurement under the old rule said from the ground. At some venues, the ground under
the bar is not at the same level as the takeoff. An example of this would when a roll up runway is
used in the pole vault with the area behind the planting box being at the original level.
Item 17: Accepted
Rule 189.3
Topic: Discus Specifications for the Master’s 750 gram discus.
The thickness at center max will be 39 mm.
* The intent is to make the change from 37 to 39mm to conform with WMA rules and allow the
750 gram discus to have the same physical dimensions as the 1k discus.
Item 18: Accepted
Rule 190
Topic: Use of a Cage or Enclosure in the Ultraweight
The requirement that the Ultraweight be thrown from a cage or enclosure is eliminated.
* The Ultraweights (98, 200, and 300 pounds) are not thrown from a circle and, because of how
they are thrown, a cage or enclosure is not needed to ensure safety.
Updated 1/5/2017
Item 19: Accepted
Rule 193.1(c) Topic: Requirements for a Valid Throw in the Javelin
A throw shall be valid only if the metal head strikes the ground before any other part of
the javelin. and NOTE: For the Youth Athletics exception, see Rule 302.5(h).
New 193.1(d) Topic: The Competitor’s Body during an attempt in the Javelin
Some language is eliminated. What will become the new (d) is No throw shall be valid or
counted where the competitor touches with any part of the body, the arc as marked or
the lines drawn from the extremities thereof at right angles to the parallel lines, or the
ground beyond the arc or such lines.
The NOTE regarding Youth Athletics is also eliminated.
Rule 187.6
Topic: A Valid Throw in the Shot, Hammer, Weight, and Discus
Language is eliminated. The new wording of the Rule is It shall be a failure if the head of
the javelin or the implement in the Shot Put, Hammer Throw, Weight Throw and Discus
Throw, excluding the handle, wire and connections as appropriate, in contacting the
ground when it first lands touches the sector line or the ground or any object outside the
sector line except as provided in the Note. See Rules 187 for the sector description.
The NOTE in 187.6 is not changed.
* There is a need to separate the distinct requirements for a valid throw to comply with the IAAF.
Item 20: Accepted
Rule 196.7 (b) Topic: Construction of the “Square” from which the Ultraweight is thrown
No longer do the bands have to be metal.
*There are other suitable and less expensive materials like plastic and wood.
Item 21: Accepted
Rule 232.6
Topic: Major Race Walk Events need to be Race Walk Only
It is stressed that USATF Race Walking Championships and all other events that qualify or
advance a competitor to subsequent events must be Race Walk Only events.
* In races of this importance, the mix of race walkers and runners creates an unnecessary risk that is
not limited to potential interference or making the job of race walk officials more difficult.
Item 22: Accepted
Rule 232.7
Topic: Setting American Race Walking Records
The new rule states American Race Walk Records may be set at National Championships
and at International Selection Competitions.
*This guides event organizers and makes it clear provisions must be made so American Records can
be set.
Updated 1/5/2017
Item 23: Accepted
Rule 241.2 (h)
Topic: Physiotherapy at Mountain, Ultra-Marathon and Trail events
For Mountain, Ultra-Marathon, and Trail Races, athletes may receive physiotherapy
(massage, etc.) at official stations. This may be done by personal representatives of the
athletes or persons designated by the Organizing Committee.
*This rule simply conforms to current practice.
Item 24: Accepted
Rule 243.2 (f)
Topic: Monitors in Trail and Mountain Races 100km or greater
The new rule states In Trail or Mountain races 100km or greater, the Games Committee
may permit monitors for part or all of the race. Such monitors shall be designated and
properly identified. Except for hands-on medical examination, or in designated
refreshment stations, a monitor shall remain behind the competing athlete at an interval
of at least 10 meters.
NOTE: Verbal or other pacing, conveying advice, exchanging supplies or providing nonsafety related assistance is subject to Rule 144 and the athlete may be disqualified.
*This rule simply conforms to current practice.
Item 25: Accepted
Rule 253.2
Topic: Changes in Race Type Information for Mountain Races
(a) will simply read Classic Mountain Races of 5 to 20 km. All other wording and the
chart are deleted.
(b) “with a maximum elevation of 4,000m” is deleted.
* This is to conform to current practices in the US where races are more varied than International
Championships run under IAAF guidelines.
Item 26: Accepted
Rule 253.1
Topic: Mountain Racing Course Information
(d) Delete “and not to exceed 20% or 200 meters per kilometer.”
(e) Delete the entire clause regarding the highest point on the course.
(f) Delete “and include kilometer marks:”
(h) Replace the entire clause with “The Games Committee shall, prior to the
race, announce the distance and total ascent / descent of the course which
must have been measured and provide a map and detailed profile of the
course together with a description of the technical difficulties to be confronted
during the race.”
Updated 1/5/2017
* This is to conform to current practices in the US where races are more varied than International
Championships run under IAAF guidelines.
Item 27: Accepted
Rule 254
Topic: Trail Racing
Delete the entire clauses in (3) the Start, (4) Medical, and (6) Race Conduct.
* Trail Running follows LDR rules. These rules in 254 are redundant and may be confusing since
they don’t contain all the applicable wording.
Item 28: Accepted
Rule 261.1
Topic: Setting National Records
Delete the Entire NOTE:
* The restriction has caused athletes to lose bonuses for outdoor records they could not get ratified.
IAAF record-keeping policies have never been communicated very well and USATF is not required
to mirror them.
Item 30: Accepted
Rule 262.3 (a)
Topic: Rules regarding Setting Records for Masters Track and Field
Add “Note: See Rule 320.8 for Masters Track and Field conditions.
Item 31: Accepted as amended
Rule 267
Topic: Events in Which Records are Recognized
Change “LONG DISTANCE RUNNING – ALL DIVISIONS to “MEN’S AND WOMEN’S LONG
DISTANCE RUNNING - DIVISIONS: 16-19*, Open and Masters”
At the bottom of the section, under the line 1000 Miles, 48 Hours, 144 Hours
Add *18 and 19 for Ultra-Marathon and 2 hours and longer”
Item 32: Accepted
Rule 300.1 (b)
Topic: Description of Divisions in Youth Athletics
Delete “Track and Field Individual” and replace with the word “Youth.”
Item 34: Accepted
Rule 301
Topic: Indoor Events for Youth
Add the following to the list of Indoor Events for Youth “Weight Throw – B 25#,
G 20#, to the 15-16 and 17-18 age groups.”
* If youth athletics has indoor events, it should add the weight throw.
Updated 1/5/2017
Item 36: Accepted
Rule302.5 (r) Topic: Passing Three or More Consecutive Heights in the Youth HJ and PV
Add at the end of the current wording for Youth High Jump and Pole Vault
“As an alternative to this procedure, and at the competitor’s choice, any competitor who
has passed three consecutive increments or more shall be allowed one run-through,
without the crossbar in place, at the height which he/she enters the competition.”
* Most athletes prefer to take a run-through at the height they enter. This choice also conforms
to the high school rule youth athletes follow during most of the year.
Item 37: Accepted
Rule 302.5 (s) Topic: National Junior Olympic PV
Eliminate the entire section.
* It is odd to have a rule for just one meet. The rule is cumbersome and disrupts the competition.
Current rules already allow a run-through for those who pass three or more consecutive heights.
Item 38: Accepted
Rule 302.5(t) Topic: Youth Athletes Leaving the Field Event Competition Area
Eliminate the language “an athlete may not leave the immediate area of the event and
engage in dialogue with persons outside the area” and replace with “the viewing of
images of previous trials of a competitor is forbidden.”
* The wording of the rule is improved. It now specifically forbids the provision of Rule 144.3 (l)
which was the original intent.
Item 40: Accepted as amended
Rule 305
Topic: The Youth Indoor Championship
This becomes new rule 305.
1. Youth Regions are divided into five zones. The Northeast Zone is Region 1 and 2 The South Zone is 3, 4 and 6 - Midwest is 5, 7 and 8 - West is 10, 11, 13, 14 and 15 Southwest is 9 and 12.
2. Indoor Track and Field qualifying procedures
(My wording below summarizes some of the actual language of the new rule.)
(a) An athlete must compete in one of the five Zone Championships meets. The Host
Association qualifies the same number as one of the Zones.
(b) Athletes competing in any of the listed prestigious meets may bypass the zone meet
but do need to meet Youth Age Requirements and ask for a waiver and complete an
entry form at least two weeks before the Championships.
(c) Athletes from Department of Defense schools may bypass the zone meet but must
Youth Age Requirements and enter through the Association Hosting the Championship.
Updated 1/5/2017
(d) The top 8 individuals and relays at each Zone Championship are eligible to advance.
(e) High school relays and competitors in the 15-16 and 17-18 age groups automatically
qualify without competing in a zone meet. Old Rules 305 and 306 will be renumbered.
Item 42: Accepted
Rule 305.3 (d) Topic: Advancing to the National Junior Olympic Cross Country Championship
Add the words “by age division” to clarify the number of athletes listed is per age division
at qualifying meets not per the entire Regional or Association meet.
Item 46: Accepted
Rule 331.2 (a)
Topic: Team Scoring at Masters Track and Field Championships
Add “Team scoring is restricted to US citizens, using adjusted places after removing nonUS citizens per Rule 330.3.”
Item 48: Accepted
Rule 332.2 (f)
Topic: Club Relay Records in Masters Competition
Add to the last paragraph of section (f) “Only the Club record will be recognized if the
Club mark is superior to the Non-Club mark.”
* This was approved by the Masters Committee at the 2015 Convention and makes record handling
consistent with that of Open records.
Item 50: Accepted
Rule 332.3(h)
Topic: LJ and TJ Take-off Boards in Masters Competition
Add In the Long Jump and Triple Jump, more than one take-off board may be used, even
within a single age division. The take-off board may consist of material other than wood.
Each jumper must declare prior to each jump which board he or she will use.
* This rule is for safety and mirrors common practice. This issue for youth is in Rule 302.5(d).
Item 51: Accepted as amended
Rule 133
Topic: Duties of the Marshal
The Marshal shall have full charge of the areas used for competition, shall allow only
persons with valid accreditations to enter or remain therein, and shall limit all persons
from interfering with the fair, orderly and sportsmanlike conduct of the meet. Marshals
shall be easily identifiable. The Chief Marshal shall supervise and assign respective duties
to the Marshal’s assistants.
* Marshal’s duties have changed in the last decade but have never been listed.
Updated 1/5/2017
Item 52: Accepted
This section provides for the reorganization of the sections regarding Starting Blocks (Rule
161) and the Start (Rule 162) considering a great deal of language has been changed.
Rules 161.4, 161.5 and 161.6 become Rules 161.6, 161.7 and 161.8
Interchange current Rule 162.1 and Rule 162.2
Move current Rule 162.14 to the end of Rule 162
Item 53: Accepted
Rule 129.2
Topic: Starter and Recall Starter
Add “The primary duty of the Starter and Recall Starter is to ensure a fair and equitable
start for all competitors at the start line.”
*This addresses the oversight that nowhere in the Rule Book is the primary duty of the Starter and
Recall Starter stated.
Item 54: Accepted
Rule 162
Topic: The Start (A huge amount of text has been added and eliminated and
much has been reorganized.)
Section 12 will state “A competitor, after assuming a full and final set position, shall not
commence his/her start until first receiving the report of the pistol/starting device. In
races where starting blocks are use, commencement of the start is defined as movement
resulting in one or both hands losing contact with the ground or both feet losing contact
with the foot plates of the starting blocks.”
Section 13 will state “If, after the Starter has ascertained that all competitors are “set”:
(a) one or more athletes violate Rule 162.12 by leaving his/her mark before receiving the
report of the piston/starting device, this shall be deemed a false start and the race
immediately recalled.
(b) in races where starting blocks are used, there is an initial movement prior to receiving
the report of the pistol/starting device by one or more athletes that is not stopped and
continues into a commencement of a start, this shall be deemed a false start and the race
immediately recalled, even though one or both hands have not yet lost contact with the
ground or one or both feet have not yet lost contact with the foot plates of the starting
blocks at the time of the report of the pistol/starting device.
(c) in races where starting blocks are used, there is an initial movement by one or more
athletes that is stopped before receiving the report of the pistol/starting device, such
movement shall not be considered commencement of the start if it has not resulted in
one or both hands losing contact with the ground or one or both feet losing contact with
the foot plates of the starting blocks, but should be regarded as an unsteady start
resulting in cancelling the start with a “stand up” command by the Starter, or a recall if
the piston/starting device has fired. Such instances may, if applicable, be subject to a
disciplinary warning or disqualification. See Rule 162.17.
Updated 1/5/2017
NOTE: Motion by an athlete that is stopped before the gun but causes a second athlete in
an immediately adjacent lane to commit a false start should not result in a charge to that
second athlete, but the first athlete causing that false start may be given a conduct
warning per rule 162.17(c).
(d) in races starting from a standing position, one or more athletes moves or steps over
the start line prior to the report of the pistol/starting device, such movement can be
considered accidental and not a full commencement of a start because runners in a
standing position are more prone to overbalance. Such a situation should be regarded as
an unsteady start, and the athletes given a “stand up” command by the Starter, or a
recall if the pistol/starting device has fired. If an athlete is pushed or jostled over the line
before the start, the athlete should not be penalized, and any athlete causing such
interference may be subject to a disciplinary warning or disqualification. See Rule
162.17(c) and Rule 162.17(d).”
Section 14 will state “When an IAAF approved start information system is in operation,
Rule 161.6, the Starter and/or an assigned Recall Starter with no other duties shall wear
headphones in order to clearly hear the acoustic signal emitted when the apparatus
indicates a possible false start; i.e., when reaction time is less than 0.100 seconds. As
soon as the Starter and/or an assigned Recall Starter hear the acoustic signal, and if the
gun was fired, there shall be a recall. After conferring with the Recall Starters, the Starter
shall exam all the available numerical and graphical information generated by the start
information system in order to confirm which athlete(s), if any, is/are responsible for the
apparatus emitting a signal. Unless the apparatus obviously was not working properly,
the evidence from this equipment, coupled with any resulting loss of contact, Rule
162.12, normally shall be accepted as conclusive by the Starter and appropriate action
shall be taken with respect to the athlete(s) with a reaction time faster than 0.100 of a
second. See Rule 125.3.
*These changes reorganize and clarify the rules regarding false starts, incorporating recent IAAF
information. They lay out the four primary reasons a Starter must abort or recall a start and the
actions to be taken. This section also provides a more logical presentation of the material.