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Publisher’s Note: The National Federation of State High School Associations is the only source of official high school interpretations. They do not set aside nor modify any rule. They are made and published by the NFHS in response to situations presented.
Dr. Karissa L. Niehoff, Publisher, NFHS Publications © 2024

SITUATION 1: Competitor A waits to enter the pole vault competition until 16 feet. All other competitors fail at this attempt. Competitor A enters and is given one minute for the first trial. Competitor A: (a) misses on the first attempt, (b) clears the height. The event judge gives Competitor A five minutes for the next jump. RULING: Correct procedure. COMMENT: Regardless of the success of this trial, Competitor A would receive five minutes for the next trial. (6-2-2d)

SITUATION 2: Competitors A and B are tied for first place in the high jump at the conclusion of regular competition. The event judge asks the two competitors separately if they will be competing in the jump-off. Competitor A declines participation in a jump-off. but Competitor B agrees to participate in the jump-off. The event judge declares Competitor B the winner. RULING: Correct procedure. COMMENT: A competitor withdrawing from the jump-off shall concede any opportunity for a higher place, and this does not negate the competitor’s performance. Competitor B does not have to complete a jump to be declared the winner. If both competitors decline to compete in the jump-off, then this is a tie for first place and any team points shall be added together and divided equally between the tying competitors. (6-3-2b, NOTE 3)

SITUATION 3: The javelin lands: (a) with the furthermost point touching the ground just before the javelin slides along the ground on the shaft; (b) almost flat, but with the rear portion of the shaft touching slightly before the javelin slides along the ground; or (c) perfectly flat. RULING: In (a), measure from the spot where the furthermost tip of the javelin first touches the ground. In (b), measure from the rearmost point of the javelin shaft, and in (c), it must be assumed the first point of contact was the cord grip and the measurement would be from the end of the cord grip nearest to the scratch line. (6-6-7)

SITUATION 4: While A1 is warming up for the shot put event, the event judge notices the athlete has: (a) fingers taped together, (b) tape on the fingers but all fingers can move independently, (c) a wrist wrap that loops around the thumb, or (d) a wrist wrap that contains a hard plastic piece to keep wrist stiff. In (a) and (d), the event judge asks the athlete to remove the tape and wrist wrap. RULING: Correct procedure. COMMENT: Athletes are permitted to apply tape to their fingers as long as they are not taped together, and all fingers can move independently. Wrist wraps are permitted that loop over the thumb provided they have no artificial aids in the wrap such as hard plastic pieces to keep the wrist stiff. (6-4-1)