USATF OFFICIALS BEST PRACTICES
Technical Manager Checklist
(Created for national championship meets; modify as necessary for other competitions)
(Normally all this will be done by the grounds crew, officials and others, with the Tech Manager insuring that it was done)
Field
Discus Throw
· Sector lines
· Distance lines marked if desired
· Circle 2.50 m diameter
· Center point marked
· Center-of-circle-lines-extended properly marked
· Sunken circle or raised rim at correct height
· Cage proper distance and height
· Cage intact (no holes and attached)
· Cage minimizes bounce back of implement toward competitor
Hammer Throw
· Sector lines
· Distance lines marked if desired
· Circle 2.135 m diameter
· Center point marked
· Center-of-circle-lines-extended properly marked
· Sunken circle or raised rim at correct height
· Cage proper distance and height
· Cage intact (no holes and attached)
· Cage minimizes bounce back of implement toward competitor
· Net not tied tightly to frame
· Gate open and closed marked and proper at both ground and height
· Bottom of netting secured and on ground
· If use insert that it fits properly and is tight
· Location of athlete and spectator seating
Weight Throw
· Sector lines
· Distance lines marked if desired
· Circle 2.135 m diameter
· Center point marked
· Center-of-circle-lines-extended properly marked
· Cage proper distance and height
· Cage intact (no holes and attached)
· Netting all the way to ground and secured
· Cage minimizes bounce back of implement toward competitor
· Gate open and closed marked and proper
· Location of athlete and spectator seating
Shot Put
· Sector lines
· Distance lines marked if desired
· Circle 2.135 m diameter
· Center point marked
· Center-of-circle-lines-extended properly marked
· Sunken circle or raised rim at correct height
· If wooden circle, is it properly secured and legal
· Toe board sturdy and in place
· Shot return, if used, in reasonable location
· Location of athlete benches and spectator seating
· Portable shot circle needs to be level with landing area
Javelin Throw
· Sector lines
· Distance lines marked if desired
· Runway 4m wide and smooth
· Center point marked and in proper location
· Arc properly laid out
· Side markings at arc in place
· 4 m mark in place
· Location of athlete seating
· Wind flag
High Jump
· Pit proper size
· Standards sturdy and in proper location, marked for location and working properly
· Standards are properly calibrated if possible
· Crossbars are readily available and meet sag standards
· Crossbars are marked
· Runway clear and safe
· Pit positioned to avoid standing water in rain and wind interference
· Foul indicator line in place and sufficiently long
Pole Vault
· Pit proper size
· Pit in proper location with respect to the planting box and track
· Standards sturdy and zero point marked, height calibrated if possible.
· Pole storage in good location
· Crossbars available and meet sag standards
· Crossbars are marked
· Standard extenders available if needed
· Runway clear and safe
· Wind flag
· Planting box is in good condition and free of water
Horizontal Jumps
· Runway marked properly
· Pits are full of sand and turned
· Take off boards flush with runway and safe
· Plasticine boards are ready (have several)
· Pit edges properly marked and visible
· Measuring equipment set up properly
· Wind gauge is proper location and direction
· Wind flag
· Location of water
For All Venues
· Tape or chalk marks removed
· Other safety concerns
Field Safety Concerns
· Competition area clear of all obstructions
· Safety area adequately wide, deep, and sufficiently marked
· Crossing of competition area by non-participants minimized
· Event safe relative to adjacent events
· Set-up safe for athletes, officials, and others
· Warm-up and practice areas meet all safety concerns
· Other issues affecting safety
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Track
· Wind gauge is in proper place & direction
· Timing, data, & broadcast cables are not covering track drains.
· Lap counter and bell in correct position
Markings
· Is track properly marked for all starts, hurdles
· Are finish lines properly marked for photo timing
· Are all marks in place for all events being contested including large fields with alley starts
· Create temporary or permanent marks if needed
· Is there a color code sheet available for use
· Are there extra marking that might be confusing, e.g. high school hurdles
Curb
· Curb is in place or cones in place at 4 m interval (outdoor) or 1.5 m (indoor)
Cones
· Are the proper number of cones available for:
o Javelin Runway marking
o Steeplechase diversion and diversion area if no curb available.
o Cones for Breakline
o Cones for field events, foul lines and circles
Starting Blocks
· Blocks are easily adjustable
· All spikes are in place and tight
· Enough blocks are available
Hurdles
· Enough hurdles are available (including spares just in case, minimum of 5 for main track)
· Hurdles available in warm-up and practice areas
· Hurdles are in good condition
· Hurdles are legal
· Heights are easily adjusted and marked
· Heights are correct, including steeplechase hurdles
· Counterweights are adjustable (either automatically or manually)
· Hurdle locations are properly marked
· Hurdles are set with proper place, height, and weights prior to each race
Steeplechase
· Hurdles are sturdy and available
· Hurdles can be adjusted to the proper heights
· Water jump is proper size
· Water jump is filled
· Water jump hurdle can be adjusted to proper height
· Curbing can be removed easily for inside placements
· System in place to insure no race starts until hurdles are properly positioned
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Resources
Tools and Supplies
· Rolls of Athletic Tape, masking Tape. Duct Tape
· Rolls of various colored tapes (3/4” wide}
· Plastic Ties of Various lengths (4 “,6” & 8”)
· 12-25’ Steel Measuring Tape, 90 m. Steel and one or more 100 m fiberglass tapes.
· Allen wrenches both metric and imperial
· At least a 6” Crescent wrench and a 6” side cutter
· Flat Head and Philips 6” screwdrivers
· Hammer
· 6” Pliers and slip joint wrench
· Plumb Bob
· Permanent Markers and/or paint sticks
· Sprinkler Marker Flags
· Staple gun to staple temporary lines on track if wet
(See USATF Technical Manager Manual for other equipment)
Books
· USATF Rule book
· IAAF Rule book
· IAAF Track and Field Facilities Manual
· IAAF Referee Manual
© 2014, USATF Officials Training Subcommittee. This checklist is meant to raise common questions about reasonable steps to take to keep a venue safe. It is not exhaustive and may not cover all situations. It should not be construed as legal advice. Officials should follow rulebook provisions, laws, and act reasonably. Mar 2014