General Meet Rules
Each sanctioned meet will have a technical package associated with it. In that package includes a list of general rules, policies, and reminders for athletes and coaches specific to that meet. Please review this package before going to the meet and ask your coach questions if you are unsure about anything stated in it. Below is a short video going through such.
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At each meet, athletes are required to wear a Split City Sonics singlet.
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Athletes should show up to each meet prepared with appropriate clothing, gear (spikes, throwing equipment), snacks, and a water bottle.
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All meets require athletes to check into their event a specific time before, so athletes should be properly warmed up before checking into their event. Check in is either at the marshaling tent/starting line (track) or at the event itself (field).
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When checking into an event, be aware of what heat or flight you are in, as well as what pit/circle/runway you compete at. Based on the competitors field, athletes may be split into flights and field areas from previous seed times or distances. (i.e. Flight 1 on South Pit; Heat 3 in Lane 6)
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You need a competition bib number and hip number (running only) to compete. See your coach for your bib and the marshaling tent for your hip number. All hip numbers must be worn on the right hip. Track races under 400m, the bib is on the back. Field events and races over 400m, the bib is on the front. If you are unsure, ask your coach or head official at your event.
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If you are competing in events at the same time, tell the head official where you will be going. Track events take precedence over field events. After your race, if you miss your field attempt after the round has been completed, you will not get that attempt.
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For field events, get to the pit or runway early to mark out your steps. You likely will not be given time to do so when the competition starts.
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If an athlete false starts during a race, they are automatically disqualified (DQ) and can no longer compete in that race.
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Midget and older athletes are required to use starting blocks (Bantam and younger are not permitted).
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Be aware and alert of other competitors on and around the track. Do not walk across the infield if it is unsafe to do so, and always look for runners on the track from both directions.
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There are specific spike lengths athletes must adhere to in competition. This will be stated in the technical package of each meet. The only athletes allowed to have longer spikes are high jumpers and javelin throwers.
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Ties in events will be broken through count backs or jump offs (high jump/pole vault), the next furthest distance by the two tied athletes (long jump, triple jump, javelin, shot, discus, hammer), or by the tenths of a second or photo finish (track events).
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Click the buttons to learn about more common rules and regulations in track and field
A Friendly Reminder
"Therefore, the goal in educating parents about rules and regulations is to decrease negative sideline comments in regards to the decisions made by coaches and referees" (Christofferson & Bradford, 2016).
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Coaches, officials, and volunteers are not perfect. We all make mistakes when covering an event, so please do not take it personally if one of us misreads a distance, mispronounces a name, or forgets the competition order. Some of these people are doing their job for the first time and they are still very new to track and field so please be patient. If at any point you have a question about a call, race, or measurement, talk with your athlete's coach first and they will address the official. Be aware of your reactions, emotions, and behaviors in these types of situations and ask for clarification in a positive tone.