Athletes as Officials Officiating Track Field Athlete Leadership

Athletes as Officials: Officiating Track & Field Athlete Leadership Sports

Introductions Course warm-up Facilitators and course attendees: Self-introductions § Say name and where from § Share your favorite sport to play 2 | Athlete Leadership – Athletes as Officials

Course Objectives & Desired Outcomes 1. Describe Athlete Leadership 2. Describe what it means to be an official 3. Identify what an official needs to know 4. Outline expectations for prospective official & mentor 5. Explore jobs / levels of responsibility in competition management 6. Experience conducting an event 7. Plan next steps in training and certification 3 | Athlete Leadership – Athletes as Officials

Definition of Athlete Leadership Through organized training and practical experiences, experiences Athlete Leadership prepares athletes to undertake meaningful positions of influence and leadership throughout the Special Olympics organization, both on and off the playing field. 4 | Athlete Leadership – Athletes as Officials

Key Concept of Athlete Leadership Allowing athletes CHOICE in HOW and in what ROLE they participate in Special Olympics 5 | Athlete Leadership – Athletes as Officials

Role Play Time 2 -minute drill: 1. Each prospective official will brainstorm and list choices that you regularly make 2. Tell us what you choose to do every day • • Clothes Hair cut How you treat others To be in an Athlete Leadership role 3. What about your choice to be an official? 6 | Athlete Leadership – Athletes as Officials

Part 1: Explore What “Official” Means Considerations § For the Prospective Official § For the Mentor/Event Director | Athlete Leadership – Athletes as Officials

Things to Consider by the Prospective Official The prospective official will consider the following: • Is officiating for me? • Self. Assessment • What do I need to know to be an official? 8 | Athlete Leadership – Athletes as Officials • What are the jobs and responsibilities of an official? • What do I expect of the Event Director and/or mentor? • What will the event director and/or mentor expect from me?

Official’s Code of Ethics § Thoroughly study rules & mechanics of sport § Follow the rules; be fair and unbiased manner § Work with other officials as a TEAM § Be professional in appearance and actions – do the right thing at all times § No tobacco or § Honor commitment of working an event – keep your word 9 | Athlete Leadership – Athletes as Officials

Official’s Checklist § § § § Strive to do your best Be calm and do your job Get into the flow of the competition Show confidence; be assured Forget the fans; focus on the athlete Have the person in charge answer questions Choose your words wisely Stay cool 10 | Athlete Leadership – Athletes as Officials

Avoiding Problems § Establish a firm but polite relationship with coaches; don’t talk to the fans § Be on time! § Prepare yourself mentally § Inspect the field, court, or facility being used § Review the procedures with your supervisor § Maintain your poise & emotional control § Be clear & concise with your signals § Use common sense 11 | Athlete Leadership – Athletes as Officials

Apply an “Athlete-Centered” Officiating Philosophy § Provide best competition – athletes deserve it § Safety is #1 concern! § Properly apply rules to situation – Be Fair; Objective; Impartial § Provide consistent and clear communication § Take a positive proactive approach (preventive officiating) § Professionalism, integrity and teamwork 12 | Athlete Leadership – Athletes as Officials

Golden Rule for Track Officials § No athlete should be allowed to gain an unfair advantage, and no athlete should have to suffer an unfair disadvantage § Primary concern – SAFETY! 13 | Athlete Leadership – Athletes as Officials

Athletic Injury Guidelines § Stop competition as soon as possible – this is the official’s only role! § Allow medical personnel to enter field of play § Have coach notified § Allow coach to be with the athlete § Allow unlimited time to care for the athlete – resuming play can wait! 14 | Athlete Leadership – Athletes as Officials

Event Planning and Management | Athlete Leadership – Athletes as Officials

Role of Games Committee § Promote event and secure sponsors § Process entries and prepare heat sheets § Recruit and manage sufficient officials § Secure needed equipment § Prepare facility for competitions § Record and distribute results 16 | Athlete Leadership – Athletes as Officials

Role of the Venue Manager § § § Overall responsibility for the venue Supervises all officials Makes rulings on possible violations May re-division athletes Keeps the events on schedule 17 | Athlete Leadership – Athletes as Officials

Officiating Track Events | Athlete Leadership – Athletes as Officials

Keeping the Meet on Schedule Announcer Staging Tents 19 | Athlete Leadership – Athletes as Officials Starter Awards Area

Staging Tent Duties § § § § Know the facility Assign competitors to heats and lanes Proactively checks uniforms Gather, hold, escort and place in lanes Anticipate and resolve challenges Attend to keeping the meet on schedule Remain calm and organized 20 | Athlete Leadership – Athletes as Officials

Know the Facility Starting Line Locations and Markings 21 | Athlete Leadership – Athletes as Officials

Staging Tent Duties Assign Competitors to Heats and Lanes 22 | Athlete Leadership – Athletes as Officials

Staging Tent Duties Gather & Hold Runners 23 | Athlete Leadership – Athletes as Officials

Staging Tent Duties Gather, Check Uniforms and Escort Issue Hip Numbers Escort to Start Line 24 | Athlete Leadership – Athletes as Officials Check Uniforms

Qualities of a Good Starter § § § § § Is knowledgeable Is decisive Provides brief, concise instructions Is firm, patient and fair Possesses common sense and tact Keeps meet on schedule Works as part of a team Keeps the focus on athletes Creates/maintains calm atmosphere at the starting line 25 | Athlete Leadership – Athletes as Officials

Starting Straightaway Sprints 26 | Athlete Leadership – Athletes as Officials

Position of Starter For Staggered Lanes Starts 27 | Athlete Leadership – Athletes as Officials

Position of Starter 800 m and Longer Step Up Line Start Line 28 | Athlete Leadership – Athletes as Officials

False Start Rules § No false start rule (HS and college) § One false start rule or ‘One to the Field’ (IAAF and USATF) § Two false start rule (for Combined Events, Youth and Masters) 29 | Athlete Leadership – Athletes as Officials

UMPIRES § § § § “The eyes and ears of the Venue Manager” Observe & report. Umpires do not disqualify athletes; they report what they see to the Venue Manager (and the Venue Manager makes the decision). If you see an infraction, raise the yellow flag and stay at your position until the Venue Manager comes to you. Be prepared to give a full (written) description of who did what to whom and when. If you’re not sure, don’t make the call. If you see a situation you know is not a foul, but there may be a question, write a report to pass on to the Venue Manager. 30 | Athlete Leadership – Athletes as Officials

Umpiring How would you prioritize: if you have 4, 8, or 12 Umpires? | Athlete Leadership – Athletes as Officials

Umpire Tasks Minimum of 4 required - to cover curves, straights and relay exchange zones 32 | Athlete Leadership – Athletes as Officials

Observe & Report Possible Violations § § § Impeding or jostling Unfair assistance or contact Exchanging the baton beyond the relay exchange zone Failing to run in a direct line on final straight Running on or over inside lane line on a curve © USATF National Officials Committee 33

Relay Passes Baton Must Be Within the Zone 34 | Athlete Leadership – Athletes as Officials

Relay Passes Baton Must Be Within the Zone 35 | Athlete Leadership – Athletes as Officials

The Finish 36 | Athlete Leadership – Athletes as Officials

Finish Judges § Assigned to a place, NEVER to a lane § Stop the watch, identify placer, follow placer § Communicate immediately if problems occur § Work as a team 37 | Athlete Leadership – Athletes as Officials

Time/Place Finishers Based on Position of the “Torso” Torso = Trunk NOT - head, neck, arms, hands, legs or feet Courtesy of Finish. Lynx 38 | Athlete Leadership – Athletes as Officials Ò

Officiating Track & Field for Athletes with Disabilities | Athlete Leadership – Athletes as Officials

Officiating Track & Field for Athletes with Wheelchairs § Examples of rule modifications: Ø In wheelchair racing, the start and finish are determined by the hub of the front wheel 40 | Athlete Leadership – Athletes as Officials

Officiating Track & Field for Athletes with Hearing or Visual Impairments § Examples of rule modifications: Ø When starting races for deaf athletes, the starter must use visual cues such as a flag or a strobe light Ø Blind athletes are allowed sighted guides in running events or can use a guide rope. 41 | Athlete Leadership – Athletes as Officials

In Summary § Organize to keep meet on schedule § Work as a team § Secure enough officials to time, place and observe each competitor § Be as “invisible” as possible 42 | Athlete Leadership – Athletes as Officials

Officiating Field Events | Athlete Leadership – Athletes as Officials

Officiating Field Events § Think Safety First! § Administer an organized event Ø Ø Ø Review rules prior to competition Provide clear and complete instructions Inspect all implements and competitors Measure distances accurately Create a fair competition environment § Provide consistent calls: “Up”, “On deck”, “On hold” 44 | Athlete Leadership – Athletes as Officials

Tips for Conducting Safe Competitions § § § § § Limit access to jumps and throws areas Responsible adult supervision during warm-ups required Closely supervise all warm-up activities Use calls, rules and assertive leadership No practice after competition completed Practice throws within sectors only Control access to implements Check implements for damage Walk all implements back, no tossing 45 | Athlete Leadership – Athletes as Officials

Officiating Long Jump Approach to Officiating Field Events | Athlete Leadership – Athletes as Officials

Long Jump Positions 47 | Athlete Leadership – Athletes as Officials

Preparation - Assigning Officials § Match assignment with experience and skill § Assign the duties for entire division § Rotate positions between divisions 48 | Athlete Leadership – Athletes as Officials

Preparation - Minimum Coverage Competition requires at least 2 officials: § Judge 1 (Head Judge) Ø Ø Call athletes Judge the take-off board Hold tape at right angle to foul line Check and record distances § Judge 2 (Pit Judge) Ø Mark break in sand Ø Hold tape’s zero end at break point Ø Prepare pit for next competitor 49 | Athlete Leadership – Athletes as Officials

Preparation - Essential Supplies § § § § Fiberglass tape (20 meters) Clipboard and Pencils Stopwatch Rake Shovel Broom Access to water/hose 50 | Athlete Leadership – Athletes as Officials

Preparation - Readying the Competition Area § Check the board - condition and steadiness § Moisten the pit § Turn pit with shovel or roto-tiller, remove debris § Level pit § Sweep area around pit, clean the runway § Sweep and rake following warm-up period 51 | Athlete Leadership – Athletes as Officials

Take-off Board - Foul vs Fair 52 | Athlete Leadership – Athletes as Officials

Long Jump Measurement Sand Break Points 53 | Athlete Leadership – Athletes as Officials

The Competition Proper Measurement § Mark closest point of landing to the board § Zero end of the tape is placed on the edge of the break in sand closest take-off board § Measure perpendicular to take-off board and parallel to the edge of runway § Announce distance to lesser centimeter, or “foul” as the red flag is raised after attempt is complete 54 | Athlete Leadership – Athletes as Officials

Points of Measurement 55 | Athlete Leadership – Athletes as Officials

The Competition Potential Problem Areas § § § § Competitors jumping out of order Jumpers checking in, then “disappearing” Unacceptable language, behavior People walking across the runway Safe use and storage of equipment Pit edge visible and surface kept level Officiating crew in the proper positions Conflicts with other events 56 | Athlete Leadership – Athletes as Officials

In Summary § Make announcing calls: Ø “Up” - “On deck” - “On hold” § Watch the board for legal take-off § Signal “fair” or “foul”/”no mark” after the competitor has exited the pit § Announce clearly; don’t shout 57 | Athlete Leadership – Athletes as Officials

Officiating Throwing Events: Shot Put, Softball Throw & Mini-Javelin Officiating Throwing Positions 58 | Athlete Leadership – Athletes as Officials

Shot Put, Softball Throw & Mini-Javelin Throw Considerations Sector Line 59 | Athlete Leadership – Athletes as Officials

Sector - Fair/Foul 60 | Athlete Leadership – Athletes as Officials

Shot Put Circle Fouls 61 | Athlete Leadership – Athletes as Officials

In Review § Think and practice safety in warm-ups and competition § Consistent communication and practice § Accuracy and athlete-centered 62 | Athlete Leadership – Athletes as Officials

Officiating Race Walking | Athlete Leadership – Athletes as Officials

Rules of Race Walking Technique § Rule # 1 The walker is to maintain continuous contact with the ground 64 | Athlete Leadership – Athletes as Officials

Growing as an Official § § § § If you stop learning, your skills start to diminish. Use each competition as a learning experience Open to constructive criticism Seek feedback from officials Observe other officials Never stop reading the rules Work as many events as you can 65 | Athlete Leadership – Athletes as Officials

What’s Next? 66 | Athlete Leadership – Athletes as Officials

Next Steps ü Participant Guide ü Practicum Requirements ü Goals ü Course Evaluation 67 | Athlete Leadership – Athletes as Officials