Special Events - Hammer
A question came from Jim Hanley:
Are Gloves Allowed in the High School Hammer?
I am writing to several Hammer Throw and Rules experts to get clarification on the above topic. I am interested in this subject both as an official who has worked the event with elite, collegiate and high school athletes and as an author of a yearly book on comparative track and field rules.
Recently, information has come out from the California Track Starters Association and in a USATF “Best Practices” chart stating that gloves are not allowed in any high school throwing event which could include the Hammer Throw.
Let’s examine what the rule book says.
High School rules 6-4-7, 6-5-7, and 6-6-6 clearly prohibit gloves in the discus, shot put and javelin events.
These are event specific rules, but there is no general rule prohibiting gloves in field events. Likewise, there is nothing in the sections on uniforms or assistance referring to gloves.
The only mention of the Hammer Throw at all is in Rule 8 (Special Events) and that rule merely states that the event may be contested.
Gloves do not aid performance. Unlike the discus, shot, and javelin, hammers tend to hurt one’s hands. Hence, gloves are used for protection much like a knee brace or belt support which is legal in all four rule books.
It seems to me, that since no high school rule says anything about conducting the hammer throw, other rule books need to be used for that event. That is what is done with the other Special Events in Rule 8. For example, scoring in the high school combined events is done using IAAF scoring tables. Likewise, since nothing in the high school rules addresses conducting steeplechase or race walking events, NCAA or USATF rules are used for those events.
It is logical that this should also be done with the hammer. All three non-high school rule books NCAA (6-11-2), USATF (187-3c) and IAAF (187-4b) allow the use of gloves with open finger tips for the Hammer Throw.
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This brings up an interesting question - what rule book has jurisdiction over a high school event that is NOT covered by rule in the National Federation rulebook? Since USATF is the national governing body, do those competition rules apply? Further, should the NFHS rulebook indicate what rules should govern the conduct of the event? How does Rhode Island handle this?
What do you think, or what is the practice where you are?
Are Gloves Allowed in the High School Hammer?
I am writing to several Hammer Throw and Rules experts to get clarification on the above topic. I am interested in this subject both as an official who has worked the event with elite, collegiate and high school athletes and as an author of a yearly book on comparative track and field rules.
Recently, information has come out from the California Track Starters Association and in a USATF “Best Practices” chart stating that gloves are not allowed in any high school throwing event which could include the Hammer Throw.
Let’s examine what the rule book says.
High School rules 6-4-7, 6-5-7, and 6-6-6 clearly prohibit gloves in the discus, shot put and javelin events.
These are event specific rules, but there is no general rule prohibiting gloves in field events. Likewise, there is nothing in the sections on uniforms or assistance referring to gloves.
The only mention of the Hammer Throw at all is in Rule 8 (Special Events) and that rule merely states that the event may be contested.
Gloves do not aid performance. Unlike the discus, shot, and javelin, hammers tend to hurt one’s hands. Hence, gloves are used for protection much like a knee brace or belt support which is legal in all four rule books.
It seems to me, that since no high school rule says anything about conducting the hammer throw, other rule books need to be used for that event. That is what is done with the other Special Events in Rule 8. For example, scoring in the high school combined events is done using IAAF scoring tables. Likewise, since nothing in the high school rules addresses conducting steeplechase or race walking events, NCAA or USATF rules are used for those events.
It is logical that this should also be done with the hammer. All three non-high school rule books NCAA (6-11-2), USATF (187-3c) and IAAF (187-4b) allow the use of gloves with open finger tips for the Hammer Throw.
----------------------------------------
This brings up an interesting question - what rule book has jurisdiction over a high school event that is NOT covered by rule in the National Federation rulebook? Since USATF is the national governing body, do those competition rules apply? Further, should the NFHS rulebook indicate what rules should govern the conduct of the event? How does Rhode Island handle this?
What do you think, or what is the practice where you are?
Labels: hammer, rules, rules intrepretation
posted by Hammer at
Tuesday, December 08, 2009
1 Comments
