As a first time competitor (junior or senior) or parent, the first few track & field competitions may seem a bit daunting at first, but there’s nothing to worry about. Coaches, team managers and even officials are there to help if they have any questions. The only expectations from coaches are that our athletes have fun and try their best. There’s a few tips below to help out. Wondering where results go? Some events may have a live online results, some are old school and they will get posted up on a noticeboard or window during the event. Once results are finalised, they will almost always end up on The Power Of 10. Want to know more about that? Check out this post.
Athletes
| Do | Don’t |
| Arrive in plenty of time. Athletes need to register with the event official for their event (generally 10 mins before the start time for track and 20 minutes before the start time for field events). Field warmups (throws/jumps) must be completed before the event start time. Seeing how events work might be particularly beneficial to inexperienced athletes, so try to come for the whole competition – to learn from watching and to support team mates. | Be late! Sometimes there are event clashes but it is often possible to compete in both events. If so, explain to the field official if you need to leave between throws/jumps to register and/or run a track event. They will do their best to accommodate, but be aware you may miss rounds in the field events and there is no automatic right to take these if the event has progressed to the next round. |
| Ask officials if anything is unclear. They cannot give advice during a competition, but can answer questions/give guidance (especially for younger athletes – e.g. takeoff in long jump practice) | Run across the track without looking or enter the infield. |
| Smile, enjoy, relax & have fun. We want everyone to do their best, but most of all enjoy competitions. Sometimes things go well, sometimes they don’t and every competition is a learning experience. | Use/touch a mobile phone/tablet/camera within the confines of the track or field. While it’s rare to be enforced, rules state that doing so can result in disqualification. All technology should be left in a bag during participation in an event. |
| Thank the officials at the end of the event. This small polite action is a good habit to get into. All officials are volunteers and give up their own time to allow competitions to be held, to be safe and have results recorded. If you ask them, they will usually be happy to show you the score sheet or tell you your distance for field events. | Worry about where you finish. Focus on your own performance and measure improvement against your own PB. |
| Look over to your coach/parents between throws/jumps in field events. They can give you input and even beckon you over to the rail to give some pointers. Remember to ensure you don’t interfere with anyone on the track as you cross. | Walk out of the front of the circle in Shot, discus or hammer or the runway approach in javelin! |
| Make sure you bring 8 safety pins. Your number or letter bib must be pinned on front and back (with 4 pins each). In league matches, take note of whether you are M, MM or a non-scoring number – it may be different for each event. | Wear a back bib in High Jump. Numbers on the back are not required in the jumps – but it doesn’t make any difference in Long/Triple jump. High Jump is the exception as the bib can catch the bar on the way over causing a foul. |
Parents / supporters
| Do | Don’t |
| Make sure your child has their number or letter bibs pinned on front and back (with 4 pins each). Take note of whether they are M, MM or a non-scoring number – it may be different for each event. | Wear a back bib in High Jump. Numbers on the back are not required in the jumps – but it doesn’t make any difference in Long/Triple jump. High Jump is the exception as the bib can catch the bar on the way over causing a foul. |
| Give encouragement. Especially to your young athlete and their teammates, but also to all athletes competing. | Give too much advice and input. During a competition, it’s best to keep things simple. If a coach is present, they may give simple feedback & instruction so don’t overwhelm the athletes! |
| Bring lots of food, drink, layers and wind/waterproof clothes – Athletics is a summer sport and we all know what British summers can be like! Competitions usually continue in all weather, as long as it is safe. Food & drink may be available to purchase at venues but don’t rely on it. | Enter the competition area. Only athletes and officials are permitted on the track and in field event areas. A lot of tracks have a rail or fence round the outside of the fence and supporters should stay on the outside of this. Athletes may come across to you between throws/jumps and between events. You can talk to them and even show them photos/videos of their performance (but they must not touch the phone/tablet). |
| Stay quiet & still during the starts of track events. | Walk across in between the officials and the track, especially at the start/finish and relay changeover points. Officials need to have clear line of sight to judge and timekeeper accurately. |