Take Part. Get Set For Life.™ National Federation of State High School Associations 2014 Cross Country Rules Changes Major Editorial Changes Points of Emphasis

Take Part. Get Set For Life.™ National Federation of State High School Associations

Games Committee-Video Replay Rule  Video replay or television monitoring equipment, other than the official equipment approved by the games committee prior to the start of competition, shall not be used to make decisions related to the meet

Games Committee-Video Replay Rule  The games committee has authority to approve the use of pictures/video equipment, prior to competition, to assist in the final decision of place finish in races Must identify equipment to be used Must determine location of equipment Must identify intended purpose to assist in final decision of place finish Not for coaches to use for protesting judgment of official(s)

Cross Country Course Rule  The cross country course shall be 2,500 to 5,000 meters (1.5 to 3.1 miles) in length, as determined by the games committee  Measurement of the course shall be along the shortest possible route a runner may take

Take Part. Get Set For Life.™ National Federation of State High School Associations 2014 Cross Country Points of Emphasis

Points of Emphasis – Application of “Design of Uniform” for Relays and Cross Country  Rules 4-3 (Track Relay Teams) and 9-6 (Cross Country Team) require team members to be wearing uniforms of the same “design”  “Design” refers to a pattern of colors used in the uniform  Both relay teams and cross country teams are competing as a team similar to a volleyball or basketball team  Uniforms being worn must be able to clearly identify the competitor, at a glance, as a member of a certain team

Points of Emphasis – Application of “Design of Uniform” for Relays and Cross Country  Examples of style: Team members are in black uniform top and black uniform bottom – traditional shorts One member wears knee length black uniform bottom - LEGAL style Team members are in one piece black uniform One team member wears black shorts over the one piece uniform - LEGAL style When the shorts were added, the legs of the one piece became visible undergarments

Points of Emphasis Jewelry and Uniforms Compliance Responsibilities  Coach’s responsibility to make certain all competitors are in legal uniforms and are not wearing jewelry Athletes must be educated of rules and application before competing Coach has responsibility, with competitors, to be certain in legal uniforms and no jewelry at the meet Coach confirms with referee all competitors are in legal uniform and no jewelry

Proper coaching requires staying up-to-date on rules and techniques  Coaches have the responsibility to study the rules, attend in-person and online clinics, read current sport literature on training and new equipment and learn from others to stay current with the advancement and opportunities in the sport  Just as it is a goal for our athletes to continue to get better, much of that advancement is contingent upon the coach staying up-to-date on rules, techniques and risk minimization in the sport

Coaches “getting it right” with uniforms  Track and field is a sport which traditionally has colorful uniforms and styles that serve different purposes for performance  Having the athletes show up for competition in a legal uniform starts with the coach  Any time there is a violation due to uniforms, it is a violation that could have been avoided  The officials do not have the responsibility for putting athletes in legal uniforms, but do have the responsibility to enforce the rules

Competitor’s Uniform Rules 4-3-1,2 and 9-6-1,2 Penalties Coach and competitor have primary responsibilities for competitor to report to event in legal uniform Preventive officiating continues to be very important to avoid unnecessary violations pertaining to uniforms Should a competitor need to change the uniform, such action should take place in an appropriate area and not cause a delay in the progress of the meet

Uniform – Foundation Garment Rules 4-3-1c(7), 4-3-1c(7) NOTE, 9-6-1c(7) NOTE 2  Any visible garment(s) worn underneath the uniform bottom and extending below the knees shall be unadorned and of a single, solid color  Any garment worn underneath the uniform bottom and that terminates above the knees is considered a foundation garment and not subject to being a single, solid color

Uniform – Foundation Garment Rules 4-3-1c(7), 4-3-1c(7) NOTE, 9-6-1c(7) NOTE 2 Visible undergarment LEGAL Visible undergarments Both must be same color ILLEGAL Foundation garment LEGAL Foundation garments LEGAL

Uniform – Foundation Garment Rules 4-3-1c(7), 4-3-1c(7) NOTE, 9-6-1c(7) NOTE 2 Extends below knees Visible Undergarment Garment terminates above knees Foundation Garment Garment terminates below knees Visible Undergarment

 All garments terminate above the knees; thus, all are foundation garments and not subject to single, solid color requirement Uniform – Foundation Garment Rules 4-3-1c(7), 4-3-1c(7) NOTE, 9-6-1c(7) NOTE 2 A, B, C LEGAL A B C

Uniform – Foundation Garment Rules 4-3-1c(7), 4-3-1c(7) NOTE, 9-6-1c(7) NOTE 2  SITUATION: Following the clerk of the course providing instructions regarding the race to the field of competitors in the 400-meter dash, he/she observes a competitor a) with his boxer shorts exposed under the uniform shorts; b) with a large manufacturer’s logo on a garment under the uniform shorts; and c) with the school mascot on a garment under the uniform shorts. All items terminate above the knees. The clerk has no objections. RULING: Correct procedure. COMMENT: These items are all considered foundation garments. Boxers Manufacturer’s logo School mascot

Uniform – Foundation Garment Rules 4-3-1c(7), 4-3-1c(7) NOTE, 9-6-1c(7) NOTE 2  Relay team members wearing foundation garments are not required to wear the same color foundation garment  The foundation garment does not have to be a single, solid color  This rule also applies to cross country teams RELAY UNIFORMS

A BOY REPORTS FOR THE START OF THE CROSS COUNTRY RACE IN THE FOLLOWING UNIFORM: LEGAL LEGAL OR ILLEGAL? SHORTS Compression shorts that are above the knee when worn under the uniform bottom will now be considered a foundation garment.

A RELAY TEAM REPORTS IN THE FOLLOWING UNIFORMS: LEGAL LEGAL OR ILLEGAL? SHORTS Compression shorts that are above the knee when worn under the uniform bottom will now be considered a foundation garment.

A RELAY TEAM REPORTS IN THE FOLLOWING UNIFORMS: LEGAL LEGAL OR ILLEGAL?

LEGAL  ALL FOUR COMPETITORS ARE WEARING THE SAME COLOR AND DESIGN OF SCHOOL UNIFORM. THE UNDERGARMENTS WORN BY THE SINGLE COMPETITOR ARE IN ACCORDANCE WITH 4-3-2b.

A RELAY TEAM REPORTS IN THE FOLLOWING UNIFORMS: ILLEGAL LEGAL OR ILLEGAL?

ILLEGAL  ALL FOUR COMPETITORS ARE WEARING THE SAME COLOR AND DESIGN OF SCHOOL UNIFORM. HOWEVER,THE UNDERGARMENTS WORN BY THE COMPETITORS ARE NOT THE SAME COLOR AS REQUIRED IN 4-3-2b.

A RELAY TEAM REPORTS IN THE FOLLOWING UNIFORMS: ILLEGAL LEGAL OR ILLEGAL?

ILLEGAL  ALL FOUR COMPETITORS ARE NOT WEARING THE SAME COLOR AND DESIGN OF SCHOOL UNIFORM.

A RELAY TEAM REPORTS IN THE FOLLOWING UNIFORMS: LEGAL LEGAL OR ILLEGAL? SHORTS

LEGAL  ALL FOUR COMPETITORS ARE WEARING THE SAME COLOR AND DESIGN OF SCHOOL UNIFORM. EVEN THOUGH ONE COMPETITOR HAS CHOSEN TO WEAR SHORTS OVER THE ONE-PIECE UNIFORM, THE COLOR IS THE SAME AS THE COLOR OF THE ONE-PIECE UNIFORM.

UNIFORMS  NO JEWELRY (RINGS, ANKLE BRACELETS, BRACELETS, EARRINGS, ETC.) HATS, BANDANAS, SUNGLASSES, OR HAIR BEADS. TAPE COVERED JEWELRY IS ILLEGAL. WATCHES ARE OK.

UNIFORMS  UNIFORMS MUST BE WORN AS INTENDED BY THE MANUFACTURER. THE WAISTBAND OF A CONTESTANT’S SHORTS SHALL BE WORN ABOVE THE HIPS. JERSEYS SHALL TOUCH THE SHORTS IN A STANDING POSITION (NO BARE MIDRIFF)

Illegal Undergarment If Visible

Multiple Logos ILLEGAL as a uniform bottom but LEGAL as an undergarment.

Extreme Logos

Visible Undergarment Rules 4-3-1b(8), 4-3-1c(7), 9-6-1b, 9-6-1c  Visible undergarments displaying seams stitched on the outside of the garment in a visible contrasting color to the single, solid color of the undergarment and function as actual seams for garment construction are legal Legal Visible Undergarment

Competitor’s Uniform – Jewelry Rule 9-6-3, Penalties  When a meet official in cross country observes a competitor wearing jewelry prior to the start of the race, the official shall: notify the competitor and his/her coach to remove the jewelry before being eligible to compete by way of the referee, issue a warning to the competitor that a second violation of the jewelry rule shall result in disqualification from the event

LEGAL  ANY VISIBLE TOP(S) WORN UNDER THE UNIFORM MUST BE UNADORNED EXCEPT FOR A MANUFACTURER’S LOGO AND OF A SINGLE COLOR AND HUE.

JEWELRY A PRACTICAL DEFINITION “IF YOU WEREN’T BORN WITH IT, IT’S JEWELRY”

ILLEGALSTILL ILLEGAL EARS TAPED

HAIR BEADS ILLEGAL

WRIST WATCH LEGAL

UNIFORMS  NO JEWELRY (RINGS, ANKLE BRACELETS, BRACELETS, EARRINGS, ETC.) HATS, BANDANAS, SUNGLASSES, OR HAIR BEADS. TAPE COVERED JEWELRY IS ILLEGAL. WATCHES ARE OK.

UNIFORMS  SINGLE SOLID-COLORED HEADBANDS (SOFT SWEATBANDS) ARE LEGAL.

UNIFORMS  UNIFORMS MUST BE WORN AS INTENDED BY THE MANUFACTURER. THE WAISTBAND OF A CONTESTANT’S SHORTS SHALL BE WORN ABOVE THE HIPS. JERSEYS SHALL TOUCH THE SHORTS IN A STANDING POSITION (NO BARE MIDRIFF)

SPORTSMANSHIP  SPORTSMANSHIP SHALL BE SHOWN DURING AND AFTER THE RACE (INCLUDING THE FINISH CHUTE)

JUDGES DECISION  THE JUDGES DECISION SHALL BE FINAL

GENERAL GUIDELINES  STAY A SAFE DISTANCE FROM THE COURSE (COACHES, MANAGERS, FANS, PARENTS)  PACING (5 OR MORE STRIDES) IS ILLEGAL.  AFTER THE RACE, RUNNERS SHALL KEEP THEIR SPOT AND CONTINUE MOVING THROUGH THE FINISH CHUTE.  EACH TEAM IS RESTRICTED TO NO MORE THAN 7 RUNNERS AT THE REGIONAL AND STATE MEETS.

Jewelry Prohibited Rules 4-3-3, 9-6-3, Penalties  Jewelry shall not be worn by competitors in track and field or cross country  Items not considered jewelry include: medical alert bracelets and necklaces religious medals worn under the uniform and taped to the body a watch worn around the wrist unadorned devices such as bobby pins and flat clips (no longer than two inches) worn to control the competitor’s hair

Jewelry Prohibited Rules 4-3-3, 9-6-3, Penalties  Penalty for wearing jewelry in track and field or cross country has been modified  When a meet official observes a competitor wearing jewelry in track and field and cross country, the official shall: for the first violation, require the competitor to remove the jewelry before further competition and be issued a warning that a subsequent violation shall result in a disqualification from the event.

Jewelry – Medical Alerts Rules 4-3-3a, 9-6-3a  Medical alert bracelets made of pliable material are not required to be taped to the body

Hair Devices Rules 3-2-4o, 4-3-3d, 9-6-3d  Unadorned devices, such as bobby pins, barrettes and hair clips, no longer than 2 inches, may be worn to control the competitor’s hair Do not require action by the games committee to be worn and are legal These items, when legal, are not considered jewelry

Hair Devices Rules 4-3-3d, 9-6-3d  Headband approved by games committee  Unadorned hair devices, such as bobby pins or flat clips, no longer than 2 inches are legal No games committee action needed

Hair Devices Rules 4-3-3d, 9-6-3d Illegal Legal

NFHS Track and Field Pre-Meet Notes NFHS Track and Field Pre-Meet Notes are made possible through the cooperative efforts of the NFHS Track and Field Rules Committee and USA Track and Field Officials Training Subcommittee NFHS Track and Field Pre-Meet Notes will be available online at and fficials/newsletters/

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