Archaic rules in track and field

Ohio Runners Discussion

  • Keith Whitman
    Coach
    CoachWhitman
    I've been thinking about the rule concerning a field athlete not being able to see film of themselves during the competition and wondering what the justification is for this?

    What's your pet peeve rule?
  • Daniel Martin
    User
    danzips
    Mine is probably all the rules about logos, or rubberbands on wrists, etc. Isn't it supposed to be fun?

    We watched the football state games, and those kids are wearing everything we aren't allowed to....

    My rule would be, you can't wear if it could harm others, or gives a competitive advantage.

    Also, as a high jump coach, it would be great to be able to show the kids video during the meet.
  • User
    RRRRRRRRRRun
    I agree with the uniform objection Danzips. The only uniform rule on the books should be that you must wear your school issued gear. That's it. What a relief that rule change would be for all athletes, coaches and officials. But this rule change will never happen. The power mongers won't allow it.
  • User
    jerryv2c
    @danzips

    The good new is, the rule was modified this year to allow for different color stitching on an undergarment as long as it functions as a seam for said garment.

    I'm newly certified as Ohio Track and Field official and find myself sometimes having conflicting conversations in my head as the competitors (particularly girls) report for events. "OK, that's a flexible hair control device (soft) so that is no problem." "Wait, that girl has hard bobby pins in her hair." "OK, they are less than 2 inches long." "But wait, they are blue!" "OK, they are unadorned, so that is OK." "Shoot, I forgot to check to see if the uniform is OK!" "Is that a wristwatch (OK) or a GPS?(not OK)" "ARGHH!! Jewelry!!"
  • User
    RRRRRRRRRRun Edited
    @jerryv2c

    I have a dream....

    Rule #1 (the only rule)....Athlete must compete in school issued gear.

    Aaaaah....what a beautiful thing....

    A return from the land of the obsessive and compulsive....

    A day when running fast is the focus and athletes and coaches and officials can do their thing without worrying about absolute nonsense.

    But alas, reality strikes....and we must be made to obey the laws of the old and crotchety.
  • Coach
    psl1122000
    @CoachWhitman

    The 2 logo rule....most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. So you either turn the stuff inside out, or get a sharpie and blacken it out. Does 2 logos give a competitor some kind of edge?!
  • User
    Altor
    CoachWhitman
    I've been thinking about the rule concerning a field athlete not being able to see film of themselves during the competition and wondering what the justification is for this?


    @CoachWhitman
    It's not just field events and it's not just track and field. Athletes and coaches should not be reviewing film between prelims/semis and finals in the running events. Football and basketball teams should not be reviewing film in the locker room at half time.

    It is specified in most, if not all, of the NFHS rules books, but is also an OHSAA "General Sports Regulation." The justification is that schools should not have an inherent advantage just because they can afford better technology.
  • User
    Altor Edited
    danzips
    My rule would be, you can't wear if it could harm others, or gives a competitive advantage.


    @danzips
    Again, not just T&F. This is the rule in all NFHS sports.

    The funny thing is, your rule used to be the rule. The coaches didn't want their kids wearing jewelry, so they passed a rule to make the officials the bad guys so they didn't have to be.
  • User
    Altor
    psl1122000
    The 2 logo rule....most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. So you either turn the stuff inside out, or get a sharpie and blacken it out. Does 2 logos give a competitor some kind of edge?!


    @psl1122000

    Another rule that is uniform across all NFHS rules books.

    You forgot one option though...don't buy things from Under Armor. I personally boycott them and will be happy when coaches just start telling their kids to buy from other manufacturers. There's plenty out there that make similar products...and they're cheaper.

    As for your last question, no...there's no edge. The idea is that our kids shouldn't be walking billboards.
  • Keith Whitman
    Coach
    CoachWhitman
    @Altor

    Back in the day I would have heartily agreed with you and the premise of such a rule. As it stands now, technology is pretty much accessible by all and thus no need for rules prohibiting videoing.

    To me it's along the lines of the rules which keep the coaches from having access to the athletes at the most important meets of the year.
  • Keith Whitman
    Coach
    CoachWhitman Edited
    @Altor

    There's a very wide margin between having the kids being walking billboards and two logos which are no bigger on Under Armour than 2 1/4" x 1 1/4".

    I'm curious as to why you would boycott Under Armour? Quality gear that looks great. What's the downside?
  • User
    Altor Edited
    CoachWhitman
    I'm curious as to why you would boycott Under Armour? Quality gear that looks great. What's the downside?


    @CoachWhitman
    I'd boycott UA because they know the damn rule. It's the same rule in every NFHS rule book. It's not like it's a secret. And they purposely try to see what they can do to get around it. And like I said, plenty of manufacturers make similar products and aren't as expensive.