Third Annual
Rules Summit
NYSCOTFCC
McGirk’s – October 18, 2015
WELCOME TO ALL!
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Almost all of our local chapters are
represented here today!
I thank you all for your interest, concern
for our athletes, and enthusiasm to come
here.
Special thanks again to Brian Staiger for
finding this site, the Southern Tier
Association, and to our State Executive
Board – especially to Jim McCaul, Jan
O’Shea, and Bob Headwell for creating the
idea back in 2012 to hold this Rules
Summit.
Why this NOW?
1.
2.
3.
The incorporation of 2016 rules into our
indoor season requires that we know
about these rule changes earlier than the
January NFHS Interpretation Conference
Call.
Clarifying an early misinterpretation is
easier than waiting until March.
We will have a much more efficient
meeting at the Indoor Meet with much
happier attendees.
Agenda
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
New Rule Changes for 2016
Intention of the changes & comments on
the rule revisions
NFHS Points of Emphasis for 2016
Clarifications via Q & A of existing rules
Local situations, local needs
How can we help one another?
Clinics and training ideas to “take home”
with you to your membership
A good lunch, fellowship & safe trip
home
2016 Changes
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Not very many
Not very drastic
Most are to “clean up” and “clarify”
rules you are all familiar with
They aim to make things consistent
across the various rule books officials
must use besides NFHS rules
Most are in Field Events and CrossCountry
The NFHS Rules Book by Rule #
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Order of Events
Scoring
Meet Officials and Their Duties
Competitors and Competition
Running Events
Throwing Events
Jumping Events
Special Events
Cross-Country
Records
… and the special rule for the
Referee only to use that you won’t
find in the book …
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Rule 11 – “Sh_t Happens!”
NFHS Track & Field Rules
Changes and Revisions for
2016
Rule 3-6-4 New, 3-19-3
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Changes the responsibility of
checking the starting blocks from the
implement inspector to the chief
starter and their team.
Rationale for the change:
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It is more appropriate to be in the
hands of the start team who have
greater familiarity and expertise with
this equipment
Implement inspectors at
championship meets are usually
inundated with throwing implements
to check
Rule 3-10-7 New
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Head Event Judges may use white
and red flags to signal fair or foul for
a field event trial
Rationale for Rule:
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The use of flags will assist with
efficient administration of the field
events. Communication among
officials, athletes, coaches, and fans
is enhanced by the visual signal.
Consistent with other rule codes
nationally and internationally
The TREND is to use them, so why
not start now?
Rule 6-1-1 through 5, and 6-2-9
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Expands and clarifies definitions of
trial/attempt, flight, round, pass,
foul, and what determines the
initiation of purposeful action of
completing the specific throwing
event.
Rationale for the change:
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Expands definitions for throwing
events for greater clarity in
application of the throwing rules.
“Updates” to accepted current sport
terminology used in all rule codes
(NCAA, USATF, IAAF)
Rule 6-5-2 New
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Establishes a new maximum diameter for
both boys and girls indoor shots in order
to account for the synthetic cover utilized
on them.
RATIONALE: Indoor shots were failing
inspection because the previous specs
were designed for outdoor implements
and did not account for the thickness of
the protective covering on indoor shots.
Rule 6-6-1
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The javelin shall be constructed of
metal or other suitable material
which could be wood or newr
materials, with a metal point or
rubber tip.
Rationale for the change:
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Updates the current javelin
specifications by eliminating the
reference to wood (no longer a
commonly used material)
The change permits the use of new
materials such as carbon fiber in the
constuction of the javelin.
Rule 7-1-1 through 7 and 7-2-1
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Expands and clarifies definitions of
trial/attempt, flight, round, pass,
foul, and what determines the
initiation of purposeful action of
completing the specific jumping
event.
Rationale for the change:
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Expands definitions for throwing
events for greater clarity in
application of the jumping rules.
“Updates” to accepted current sport
terminology used in all rule codes
(NCAA, USATF, IAAF)
Consistency --To make sure all terms
are clear for every field event
Rule 7-6-3
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Updates the size of the takeoff board
to accepted sport specifications
across all rules codes by
recommending it be 8 inches wide
(but not requiring it), but permits up
to 24 inches in width.
Rationale for the change:
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Updates to accepted current sport
equipment specifications across all rule
codes while not resulting in existing
boards becoming non-compliant.
You don’t have to change out older boards
as long as they are in the range of 8 to 24
inches wide
NEW installations should be 8 inches
wide.
Rule 7-2-2 and 6-2-5
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Clarifies language regarding when
the order of competition may be
changed for consistency in all field
events and removes duplicate
language.
Rationale for the change:
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This removes duplicate language
contained elsewhere in existing rules
and adds language regarding when
the order of competition may be
changed
This was done to show consistency in
all field events
Rule 9-1-3b
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Permits the use of double boundary lines
marking both the inside and the outside of
a cross-country course.
RATIONALE: It provides additional
guidance to the runners, better defines
the race course for spectators, and allows
for natural barriers (hedges, higher
grasses) which appear on courses.
NYPHSAA at SUNY Canton last year was
double boundaries in most of it!
Rule 9-3-3a, b -- New
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Recommends use of a video/photo
back-up system in XC when
transponders are used for place
finish with a review activated when
the timing system indicates a 1/10th
second or less differential
Rationale for the change:
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Transponder “chips” don’t always get it
right. They can read early or late. The
recommended back-up corrects things.
In NY we have been using a Finish-Lynx
and Identi-lynx back-up with a total place
complete race review before scoring for 9
years now. We still have accurate results
ready within 5 minutes of the race finish.
It makes common sense – if you have it;
use it!
TRENDS that I see here …
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“Silent” Field Event Judging
Use of the flags by judges and use of
cones to space out trials.
NFHS, NCAA, and USATF rule
wording is becoming consistent.
2016 NFHS Points of
Emphasis
These are important to focus
on in our training and
officiating practices
Points of Emphasis – More on
these later in the season
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
SAFETY (always first!)
Venue Inspection (again, Safety
first!)
Number of competitors in distance
events
Forces disassociated knocking the
cross-bar off in the vertical jumps
Not permitting multiple logos on the
uniform bottoms
?? QUESTIONS ??
Time for clarification of
existing rules …
Let’s hear those questions
now so that I don’t spend my
life on e-mail 
LOCAL SITUATIONS?
LOCAL NEEDS?
How can we (State
Association and Local
Chapters) help one
another?
AS ALWAYS …
1. Be SAFE!
2. Be FAIR!
3. Have FUN!
Thanks for all that you do
for the student-athletes of
New York!