USATF OFFICIALS BEST PRACTICES
OFFICIALS’ CLINIC - THROWS
“What Can Go Wrong in the Throws?”
Should an attempt be ruled successful; failed; or no throw in the following circumstances?
The implement breaks during the attempt
The throwing cage breaks or becomes unsafe (netting/fencing)
The wind is strong and cage panels move (become unanchored) during the throw
The thrower leaves circle prior to taking throwing position, then returns to throw
The thrower does not pause prior to leaving the circle (runs out of circle)
The thrower’s foot contacts the toe board with glancing touch at 45 degrees
The implement hits a low ceiling or support beam that is over the legal sector (indoors or outdoors)
The thrower enters circle prior to his or her name being called as “Up”
The timer does not function properly and apparently more than a minute had elapsed before the initiation of
a throw that is otherwise successful
The thrower fails to initiate an attempt within the time limit but claims there was interference due to
someone or something obstructing the sector or interfering behind cage/net
Working with two circle judges, one judge rules a foul and the other judge rules a legal throw
Thrower (spinner) is using the back edge of the circle as a “push-off” point much like starter blocks
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How do you deal with the following situations?
The marked sector is not the correct degree (34.92) as specified in the rulebook
There are no streamers marking a safety zone (or the streamers are too close to the sector)
Cage netting/fencing is damaged leaving a breach or hole large enough for implement to fly through
A thrower’s only implement is damaged and the other competitors decline to allow the use of their
implement
During the event rain makes the circle 1) slippery 2) standing water 3) moving water across circle
During the event rain falls and two throwers or coaches ask official to “clean” or sponge the circle
A thrower who has left to compete in another event has not returned, and all others are finished in the
current flight
In measuring the distance in the shot put, do you place the base of the measuring device on the outside of
the splash mark or the actual inner mark where the shot contacts the grit
Thrower takes a legal throw but sector official does not get a clean recognizable mark due to inattention,
falling down, or other sector issue.
Meet help (including officials) continually talks/socializes with competitors during competition
Meet help (including officials) use electronics during competition or between flights in competition area
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Overall, what are the two most important factors in conducting a throwing field event?
Key items for officials: Early arrival & event setup; instructions to athletes and to event crew; teamwork.
OFFICIALS’ CLINIC - THROWS
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Throws Clinic Situations, USATF Best Practices, Jan 2010 (Credit: J. Showker, D. Kroese)
Answers to the question: “Should an attempt be ruled successful, failed, or no jump in the
following circumstances?”
Situation 1. The implement breaks during the attempt
If the implement breaks during the throw or while in the air, the throw shall not count and the athlete
shall be given a new trial/attempt provided the throw was otherwise made in accordance with the rules.
In the hammer throw, if the implement breaks during the throw and causes the athlete to lose his/her
balance and as a result foul, the attempt shall not count and the athlete shall be granted a new attempt.
If an implement breaks due to contact with the ground or cage, the attempt shall count.
USATF Rule 191 and 193 for the hammer & javelin; NCAA Rule 6.10 and 6.11 and 10.7 for indoor shot.
Situation 2. The throwing cage breaks or becomes unsafe (netting/fencing)
This requires a judgment call as to the safety of the cage or competition area. If a cage or throwing
area is inherently unsafe or puts the athletes, officials or spectators in danger, the competition should
cease until the situation can be rectified. If such a situation develops while an athlete is in the process of
throwing, the attempt should be aborted if at all possible and the athlete permitted a new trial when the
unsafe situation has been corrected. If the damage is caused by the thrower‟s implement making contact
with the cage, then that trial shall count. Should the condition be one that cannot be quickly remedied
by the event officials, the head field referee should be immediately notified of the situation.
Situation 3. The wind is strong and cage panels move (become unanchored) during the throw
If the thrower‟s attempt can be halted, then that should be done and the panels replaced to their normal
position. If the competitor has already initiated the throw and the condition creates a distraction or
unfair competitive disadvantage, the attempt should not count and the thrower granted another trial. The
determination as to the impact on athlete should be made immediately, and not after a measurement is
made of the throw, provided it was otherwise legal. If the panels moving in anyway may have caused the
athlete to foul, the athlete should be granted a new trial.
Situation 4. The thrower leaves circle prior to taking throwing position, then returns to throw
The athlete may leave the circle (USATF Rule 187.2) but they must leave from the back half of the circle
as in Rule 187.5. It is common practice, if the athlete requests permission from a ring judge to leave the
circle, that they be permitted to do so, though they still must initiate the attempt within the allotted time.
In the case that an athlete requests that the circle be swept or debris be cleared from the circle/runway,
the time clock is typically paused while the situation is addressed.
Situation 5. The thrower does not pause prior to leaving the circle (runs out of circle).
In USATF/IAAF and NCAA competition, the only requirements for exiting the circle is that it be done
after the implement lands and that the point of first contact upon exiting is from the back half of the
circle or behind the extended lines of the toe line in the javelin (USATF Rule 187.1.e and 187.5 and
NCAA Rule 6, Sections 8.3, 9.3, 10.4 and 11.3). Under NFHS rules, the athlete must be under control
and exit the back half of the circle after the official says, “Mark,” according to Rule 6-4.9, 6-5.9 and 66.11. The high school rules do not require that the athlete pause, stop or come to a stationary position
before exiting. If the exit of the ring or runway otherwise meets the rules, it is judgment of the ring
official whether the thrower was under control.
Situation 6. The thrower’s foot contacts the toe board with glancing touch at 45 degrees
The ring officials must determine if the athlete‟s point of contact was on top or inside of the toe board. A
foul should be called only if it is clear to one of the ring officials that the shoe of athlete made contact
with the top of the toe board. A helpful guideline in this regard, and also to call fouls with the pivot foot
at the back of the ring in the shot put and discus throw, is to observe if the sole of the shoe bends over
the edge of the ring or toe board. This can be one of the tougher calls to make regarding foot fouls. The
official must be certain of contact with the outside surface of the ring or top of the toe board to call a
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Throws Clinic Situations, USATF Best Practices, Jan 2010 (Credit: J. Showker, D. Kroese)
foul. The benefit of the doubt goes to the athlete in the case where the official does not see definitive
illegal contact.
Situation 7. The implement hits a low ceiling or support beam that is over the legal sector (indoors or
outdoors)
The throw shall not count as a trial, provided it was otherwise made in accordance with the rules.
Situation 8. The thrower enters the circle prior to his or her name being called as “Up”
If at all possible, the thrower should be told to stop and wait for the “Up” call acknowledging his/her
time on the clock. If the thrower has entered the circle and the crew is ready for the next throw, the flight
coordinator should proceed to call the athlete “Up” as quickly as is practicable. In the throwing events,
such a situation can be dangerous if the field officials are not ready to mark the throw. In such a case all
effort should be made to halt the throw until it can proceed safely. In the javelin, it is recommended to
have the flight coordinator stand on the runway until the next athlete is called “Up”. It is also important
to educate the athletes in the pre-event instructions as to how they will be called up in the competition,
and encourage them to ask the flight coordinator if they are unsure. This can be a problem in noisy
environment when other events are being conducted simultaneously.
Situation 9. The timer does not function properly and apparently more than a minute had elapsed before
the initiation of a throw that is otherwise successful
If you have no way of telling exactly how much time has elapsed then you have to let the attempt stand.
The athlete must see a clock and/or be notified that time is running short by raising the yellow flag. If
this was not done, the athlete had no way of knowing the time was approaching the limit, so we must err
on the side of the athlete.
Situation 10.
The thrower fails to initiate an attempt within the time limit but claims there was
interference due to someone or something obstructing the sector or interfering behind cage/net
In all cases, it is the athlete's responsibility to initiate an attempt within the prescribed time limit. The
head event judge and ring officials should be watching the cage area for any interference issues - other
athletes crossing behind the net in a manner that is distracting, an unauthorized person entering the
impact area or an official or other person not paying attention in the impact area, etc. If the officials see
real interference or cause for delay, they can notify the athlete and restart the clock. The athlete can
also alert any of the ring officials if there is interference. However, if the athlete does not alert an
official, and none of the officials see any interference, then it must be ruled a foul. We can only make the
calls we see, and if we don't see any interference or none is brought to our attention in a timely manner,
then we can't call interference/obstruction for the athlete.
Situation 11.
Working with two circle judges, one judge rules a foul and the other judge rules a legal
throw
It may occur that a foot foul can be observed from one side of the ring and not seen clearly from the
opposite side of the ring. In some cases it can be difficult to „see‟ a foot foul committed right at your
position in the circle since the top of the foot blocks the view of contact with the outer surface if the
athlete is moving very quickly. Officials must be able to see a foul with 100% certainty before calling it.
In a case where one ring official cannot see the foot foul with certainty but one or more others can, the
ring official with the flags should check the silent hand signal pre-arranged amongst the ring officials
(thumbs up/down or palms up/down) and indicate a foul with the red flag if any of the ring officials
indicate a foul has been committed. Ring officials should guard against becoming complacent, for
example blindly following the fair/foul call of only one of the ring officials. It is easy to become
complacent after a long series of easy calls, but remember 99% accurate calls will often be forgotten if
one incorrect call is made due to inattention or misapplication of the rules.
Thrower (spinner) is using the back edge of the circle as a “push-off” point much like
starter blocks
Situation 12.
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Throws Clinic Situations, USATF Best Practices, Jan 2010 (Credit: J. Showker, D. Kroese)
See explanation for Situation 6. The ring official must determine with full certainty if contact is made
with the surface outside the ring. Contact with the inside edge of the circle and ring band is permitted.
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Answers to the question: “How do you deal with the following situations?”
Situation 13. The marked sector is not the correct degree (34.92) as specified in the rulebook.
Overall, if the condition or set up of the sector and/or impact area creates any safety risk, you should
consider declining to conduct the competition. That said, the head field referee and games committee
should be informed as soon as possible and the situation corrected with new sector lines added if at all
possible. If the sector lines are only slightly off from the rulebook specifications and the situation cannot
be remedied, the head field referee and games committee may decide to continue with the competition
with the sector marked as is. Situations where the competition area does not meet the standards of the
governing rules of the competition are just one reason why it is so important the head event official
arrives at the venue well ahead of the competition. Given an earlier notification of an issue increases the
chances that it can be corrected.
Situation 14. There are no streamers marking a safety zone (or the streamers are too close to the sector).
USATF Rule 187.22 states that flags or continuous barriers should be erected parallel to and at least 3
meters outside the sector lines for the entire length of the sector. NCAA Rule 1-9.2.e specifies an area of
flagging indicating an implement landing area danger zone of at least 55 degrees from the center of the
throwing circle. NFHS Rule 6 states “It is recommended that all throwing areas be cordoned off, roped,
fenced or with flags placed well outside the sector lines to minimize the risk of injury to spectators and
athletes.” It does not specify a distance from the sector where the restricted area should begin. To
minimize the chances of any unauthorized persons entering the impact area of a throwing event,
competition should be delayed until the impact area is adequately marked with flagging or marking
clearly indicating an area of no entry; and the recommended distances can certainly be exceeded.
Situation 15. Cage netting/fencing is damaged leaving a breach or hole large enough for implement to fly
through.
The cage or netting should be replaced at the earliest possible opportunity. Since this is not practical
during the course of a meet, an effort can be made to temporarily close the hole by using ties or some
type of non-slip fastener to close the hole during the competition. To minimize risk, care should be taken
not to position officials or athletes immediately behind the damaged area. If the damage cannot be
repaired permitting safe conduct of the event, the competition, as in Situation 2 above, should be
suspended, postponed or cancelled until the venue can be made safe for competition.
Situation 16. A thrower’s only implement is damaged and the other competitors decline to allow the use
of their implement
Per NCAA Rule 6-10, a competitor may use another competitor‟s implement only with the other
competitor‟s permission. Per USATF Rule 187.10, all implements approved for use in the
competition lose their identity as privately-owned implements for the duration of the
competition, and a competitor may use another competitor‟s implement with or without
permission. Every effort should be made to obtain a certified implement for the athlete to use in
the competition (perhaps one supplied by the host school, for example). If a certified implement
cannot be obtained through any reasonable means, the athlete will have no other alternative but
to pass his/her remaining attempts. There is no provision under NCAA or NFHS rules by which
meet officials can compel an athlete to grant permission to another athlete to use an implement.
Situation 17. During the event rain makes the circle 1) slippery 2) standing water 3) moving water across
circle. During the event rain falls and two throwers or coaches ask official to “clean” or sponge the
circle
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Throws Clinic Situations, USATF Best Practices, Jan 2010 (Credit: J. Showker, D. Kroese)
The head event judge can make the decision to temporarily halt the competition to assess the venue and
effect any mitigating actions (dry the circle with towels, push standing water out of the circle, etc).
USATF, NCAA, and NFHS rules give the Referee the authority to suspend the competition if it cannot
be continued in a satisfactory manner and in fairness to the competitors and officials. If lightning or
other dangerous conditions are present, the head judge should stop the competition until the danger has
passed. If there is any question, the Referee has the final decision.
A dry circle surface is always better than a wet surface. In situations with ground wet or
muddy ground, towels should be placed on the path to the cage leading up to the circle to
allow athletes to remove debris from their shoes. The towels should be placed so they do not
contact the throwing circle, interfere with the athlete‟s throw or cause a tripping hazard.
Generally, a flooded circle provides more traction than a circle surface with a thin layer of
water on it. The thin layer of water combines with dirt and other substances to create a very
slick throwing surface. If the rain has stopped, drying the circle completely is preferred. If the
rain continues or is moderate to heavy, allowing the ring to fill up with water to some extent is
usually recommended. Many circles have drainage holes in them, but they typically cannot
keep the circle drained while it is raining.
How to handle the circle surface is a judgment call, since it is common for coaches and athletes
to have different opinions or preferences. Every attempt should be made to maintain the same
conditions throughout the competition, but this is sometimes impossible due to changing
weather conditions. The goal is to provide the best possible conditions for the athletes without
undue delay in the event, unless the event is officially delayed or postponed by meet
management. When a circle has standing water but rain stops falling during a flight, it is usual
to leave the water in the ring until the end of the round, and then attempt to dry off the circle.
In some exceptional cases, where steady rain is followed by clear skies during a flight, it may be
prudent to dry off a circle at the end of a round within the flight, but only if, in the judgment of
the head official, this can be done quickly so as not to significantly disrupt or delay competition.
If additional rain is imminent, often the water is left in the ring for traction. When throwing with
standing water in the ring, it‟s likely that debris will end up in the ring from shoes. Care should
be taken to remove the debris quickly when it builds up. To dry ring, use brooms, squeegees,
and towels. Portable blowers, while useful, often spray a fine oil mist which actually worsens
traction in the ring. It helps to communicate with the athletes and coaches about what you are
doing and why. Most participants will appreciate it if you make your best effort to maintain a
workable venue.
Situation 18.
A thrower who has left to compete in another event has not returned, and all others are
finished in the current flight.
USATF Rule 180.8c applies. Call the competitor‟s name and wait for the prescribed time limit.
Raise the yellow flag or show the clock as appropriate. At the end of the time limit, mark a
pass for the competitor. NCAA Rule 6-1.6 allows a competitor to take preliminary attempts out
of order but not final attempts, and provides that the finals shall not be delayed in any case by
excused competitors. Under NFHS Rule 6-2.10, a head event judge can allow competitors to
take their attempts in any order but the time that preliminaries must be completed is set by the
games committee and any throws not taken by that time shall be forfeited. In all cases, it is
generally true that excused athletes should not cause undue delay of the finals or competition as
that situation can create a disadvantage for the other competitors.
Situation 19. In measuring the distance in the shot put, do you place the base of the measuring device on
the outside of the splash mark or the actual inner mark where the shot contacts the grit.
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Throws Clinic Situations, USATF Best Practices, Jan 2010 (Credit: J. Showker, D. Kroese)
Only the mark where the implement actually hits the ground, closest to the circle, is used for marking the
distance. In this case the correct mark is the inner mark made by the shot. Officials must do their best to
be consistent in such marking throughout the competition.
Situation 20. A thrower takes a legal throw but sector official does not get a clean recognizable mark due
to inattention, falling down, or other sector issue.
In a case where there is no way to obtain an accurate mark for the implement in the field, the athlete
should be allowed to retake the attempt provided the trial was otherwise a legal attempt.
Situation 21
Meet help (including officials) continually talks/socializes with competitors during
competition
All participants should seek to be friendly and cordial to other participants. However, during
warm-ups and competition officials should not socialize with competitors, in order to avoid any
perception of bias. The head event judge should speak to the individual and ask them to keep
communication with athletes during the competition to that required to conduct event properly.
Situation 22 Meet help (including officials) use electronics during competition or between flights in
competition area
Use of electronic devices in the competition area is prohibited by coaches, athletes, competitors
and officials except as authorized by the game committee in order to conduct the competition.
This is stated explicitly in NCAA Rule 4-3.12 and USATF Rule 159. Officials and volunteers
should leave the competition area to use electronic devices unless the use is part of the process
of conducting the competition.
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Overall, what are the two most important factors in conducting a field event?
The two most important considerations in any field event are safety and fairness. Make sure the venue
and conditions are safe for the athletes and officials. Ensure all the athletes have the same chance to
compete by enforcing the rules evenly across the board.
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Throws Clinic Situations, USATF Best Practices, Jan 2010 (Credit: J. Showker, D. Kroese)