UNIT 1 Learning to know Athletics:
Nature and Characteristics of Athletics; History of Athletics;
Benefits of Athletics
UNIT 2 : Equipment in Athletics
UNIT 3: CATEGORIES IN ATHLETICS
UNIT 4 Different Types of Running Events
Short Distance event; Middle Distance event; Long Distance event
UNIT 5 Different Types of Throwing Events
Javelin Throw; Shot Put; Discus Throw; Hammer Throw
UNIT 6 Different Types of Jumping Events
High Jump; Long Jump; Pole Vault; Triple Jump
UNIT 7 Hurdles and Relay Races
110m hurdles; 400m hurdles; Steeplechase; 4x100m relay race;
4x400m relay race
UNIT 8 Basic Rules in Athletics: IAAF
The evolution of human physical prowess and competitive spirit can be seen in the history of
athletics, which is also known as track and field in the sporting world. The history of athletics
is a testament to the persistent pursuit of excellence, strength, and speed in the field of sports,
from its ancient roots in the Olympic Games of ancient Greece to its modern, global
prominence as a key component of the Olympic movement. We'll delve into the significant
turning points and advancements that have shaped the rich tapestry of athletic history in this
succinct exploration.
Athletics encompasses a wide range of track and field events, each with its own specific
equipment requirements. Here are some common types of equipment used in various athletics
disciplines:
Running Events:
Starting Blocks: Used by sprinters and hurdlers to get a fast and explosive start.
Baton: Used in relay races for passing between teammates.
Jumping Events:
Pole: Used in pole vault events to clear the bar.
Landing Mats/Pits: Provide a soft landing for high jump, long jump, and pole vault athletes.
Take-off Boards: Used by long jump and triple jump athletes for take-off.
Throwing Events:
Shot Put: A heavy spherical object thrown by athletes. The shot put is the equipment.
Discus: A flat, round object with a center hole, thrown by athletes.
Javelin: A spear-like object that athletes throw for distance.
Hammer: A heavy ball attached to a long wire handle, thrown by athletes.
Cage and Net: Used to ensure safety during discus and hammer throw events.
Hurdles:
Hurdles: The hurdles themselves are the primary equipment for hurdle events.
Pole Vault:
Pole: The long, flexible pole used by pole vaulters to clear the bar.
Crossbar: The bar set at a specific height for vaulters to clear.
High Jump:
Crossbar: The bar set at a specific height for high jumpers to clear.
Relay Races:
Baton: A short, lightweight rod passed between relay team members.
Timing and Measurement:
Stopwatches and Timing Systems: Used to measure race times and splits.
Measuring Tapes: Used to measure distances in field events.
Distance Markers: Markers on the track or field to indicate distances for jumps and throws.
Clothing and Footwear:
Spikes: Athletic shoes with specialized spikes or cleats for better traction on the track or field.
Running Shorts and Singlets: Lightweight clothing for comfort and performance.
Safety Gear:
Helmets: Worn by pole vaulters for protection.
Gloves: Used by javelin throwers and sometimes shot putters for grip.
These are just some of the common equipment items used in athletics. The specific equipment
needed can vary depending on the discipline and level of competition, but safety, accuracy,
and performance are always top priorities in the world of athletics.
Athletics, also known as track and field, encompasses a wide range of events that can be
categorized into several main groups. These categories include:
Running Events:
Sprints: Short-distance races, typically 100m, 200m, and 400m.
Middle-Distance: Races typically covering distances from 800m to 1500m.
Long-Distance: Includes races like the 5000m and 10,000m, often run on a track, cross
country, or road.
Relays: Team events where runners pass a baton, including 4x100m and 4x400m relays.
Hurdles: Races with hurdles placed at specific intervals, such as the 110m and 400m hurdles.
Jumping Events:
High Jump: Athletes jump over a horizontal bar without knocking it down.
Pole Vault: Athletes use a pole to clear a bar set at increasing heights.
Long Jump: Athletes jump for distance from a take-off board into a sand pit.
Triple Jump: Combines three successive jumps—hop, step, and jump—for distance.
Throwing Events:
Shot Put: Athletes throw a heavy spherical object (the shot) for distance.
Discus Throw: Athletes spin and release a flat, round discus for distance.
Hammer Throw: Athletes spin and throw a heavy ball (the hammer) attached to a wire.
Javelin Throw: Athletes throw a spear-like javelin for distance.
Combined Events:
Decathlon (Men): Consists of ten events, including sprints, hurdles, jumps, throws, and
distance races.
Heptathlon (Women): Includes seven events, combining sprints, hurdles, jumps, and throws.
Race Walking:
20km and 50km Race Walk: Athletes must maintain contact with the ground and have a
straight leg at all times.
Relay Races:
4x100m Relay: Four athletes run 100m each, passing a baton.
4x400m Relay: Four athletes run 400m each, passing a baton.
Cross Country:
Races over varying natural terrain, including grass, dirt, and hills.
Road Races:
Includes marathons (42.195km) and other long-distance races on paved roads.
Race Series and Combined Events:
Events such as the steeplechase, which combines distance running with barriers and water
jumps.
Multi-Events for Youth and Masters:
Events tailored for younger athletes (e.g., pentathlon) and older age groups (e.g., masters
events).
These categories cover a wide range of athletic disciplines, each with its unique set of rules,
equipment, and techniques. Athletes often specialize in one or more events within these
categories based on their strengths and interests.
The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) is the former name of the
global governing body for track and field athletics, which is now known as World
Athletics. As of my last knowledge update in September 2021, here are some of the basic
rules and regulations for track and field athletics based on World Athletics (formerly
IAAF) rules:
Uniform and Equipment:
Athletes must wear appropriate athletic attire, including jerseys, shorts, and shoes.
Spikes used in shoes must adhere to specific length regulations.
Athletes may not wear clothing or equipment that could provide an unfair advantage or be
dangerous.
Starting Procedures:
Races begin with the firing of a starting gun.
False starts can result in disqualification for individual athletes or the entire field.
Running Events:
Athletes must stay in their assigned lanes during sprint races.
In distance races, athletes must complete the specified number of laps while staying within
the inside curb of the track.
Relay teams pass a baton within a designated exchange zone.
Hurdles:
Athletes must clear the hurdles without knocking them down.
Specific distances and hurdle heights are defined for different age groups and genders.
Jumping Events:
In the long jump and triple jump, athletes take off from a designated board and land in a sand
pit.
High jump and pole vault involve clearing a bar without knocking it down.
Throwing Events:
Shot put, discus throw, hammer throw, and javelin throw involve specific techniques for
launching the respective implements.
Athletes must stay within a throwing circle or runway during the event.
Scoring and Measurement:
Performances are measured in meters (for jumps and throws) and seconds (for races).
Athletes earn points based on their performance in multi-event competitions like the
decathlon and heptathlon.
Doping Control:
Athletes may be subject to anti-doping testing to ensure fair competition and safety.
Protests and Appeals:
Athletes or team officials have the right to protest decisions made during competitions.
Protests are subject to specific procedures and deadlines.
Age and Gender Categories:
Events are often categorized by age and gender to ensure fair competition.
Facility Standards:
Track and field facilities must meet specific standards for measurements, surfaces, and
equipment.
Anti-Discrimination and Fair Play:
World Athletics promotes fair play and non-discrimination in all aspects of athletics.
It's important to note that these rules may have evolved or been updated since my last
knowledge update in September 2021. Therefore, for the most current and detailed
information on World Athletics rules and regulations, including any recent changes, it is
advisable to consult the official World Athletics website or their published rulebook.
HURDLES
In a standard 400-meter hurdles race, there are ten hurdles that the athletes must clear. These
hurdles are evenly spaced throughout the race, and athletes need to jump over them while
maintaining their speed and rhythm. The 400-meter hurdles is a challenging race that
combines sprinting with hurdling techniques, and it requires both speed and endurance.
In a standard 400-meter hurdles race, the hurdles are spaced at a fixed distance of 35 meters
apart. Athletes must clear ten hurdles over the course of the race, which is why this event is
also known as the 400-meter hurdle race. The ability to efficiently clear the hurdles while
maintaining speed and stamina is a crucial aspect of this challenging track and field event.
In a 100-meter hurdles race, the hurdles are spaced at a standard distance of 8.5 meters
(approximately 27 feet and 11 inches) apart. Athletes in this event must clear these hurdles as
they sprint down the track. The 100-meter hurdles is a short and fast race that requires agility
and hurdling skills, as well as speed.
In a standard 100-meter hurdles race, there are ten hurdles that the athletes must clear. These
hurdles are spaced at a set distance of 8.5 meters (approximately 27 feet and 11 inches) apart.
Athletes need to clear these hurdles as they sprint down the track, and the first one to cross the
finish line after clearing all ten hurdles is the winner.
DECATHLON
The decathlon is a combined athletic event in track and field, and it consists of ten different
individual events. The events are typically held over two days, with five events on each day.
The decathlon includes the following ten events, in this order:
Day 1:
100 meters: A sprint race over 100 meters.
Long Jump: Athletes jump for distance from a takeoff board.
Shot Put: Athletes throw a heavy shot put ball for distance.
High Jump: Athletes attempt to clear a horizontal bar for height.
400 meters: Another sprint race, this time over 400 meters.
Day 2:
6. 110 meters Hurdles: Athletes sprint and clear hurdles that are 42 inches high (110 meters
for men, 100 meters for women).
Discus Throw: Athletes throw a heavy discus for distance.
Pole Vault: Athletes use a pole to clear a horizontal bar for height.
Javelin Throw: Athletes throw a javelin for distance.
1500 meters: A middle-distance race covering 1500 meters (or 1000 meters for women).
Points are awarded for each event based on performance, and the athlete with the highest total
score at the end of the decathlon is the winner. The scoring system used is the IAAF
(International Association of Athletics Federations) decathlon scoring tables, which assign
points based on an athlete's time, distance, or height in each event. The decathlon is a test of
versatility and athleticism, as it combines a wide range of track and field disciplines.
The measurement of a throwing area, such as those used in the field events of track and field
(e.g., shot put, discus throw, javelin throw, hammer throw), can vary depending on the
specific event and the level of competition (local, national, international). Here are some
general guidelines for the dimensions of throwing areas in track and field:
THROWING AREA MEASUREMENT
Shot Put Circle:
In the shot put event, there is a throwing circle.
The inside diameter of the circle is usually 2.135 meters for men and 1.22 meters for women.
The thrower must stay within this circle while making their throw.
Discus Circle:
In the discus throw event, there is also a throwing circle.
The inside diameter of the discus circle is typically 2.5 meters for men and women.
Javelin Runway:
In the javelin throw event, there is a runway used for the approach.
The length of the javelin runway is usually at least 30 meters for men and 20 meters for
women.
Hammer Throw Cage:
In the hammer throw event, there is a throwing cage.
The dimensions of the cage can vary, but it is typically circular and has a diameter of around
7 meters.
General Safety Areas:
All throwing events require a safe and clear area beyond the throwing sector.
The exact dimensions of these areas can vary, but they are designed to ensure the safety of
athletes, officials, and spectators.
It's important to note that these measurements are subject to the rules and regulations of the
governing body for the specific competition, such as World Athletics (formerly known as the
IAAF). Local, national, and international competitions may have slight variations in the
dimensions of throwing areas, so it's essential for athletes and event organizers to follow the
rules and guidelines provided by the governing body for their event
The distance jumping area in track and field events includes events like the long jump and the
triple jump. Here are the key measurements and components of a typical distance jumping
area:
Long Jump:
Takeoff Board: The athlete starts the long jump from a takeoff board, which is typically a
wooden or plastic board that marks the starting point of the jump. The board is flush with the
runway.
Runway: The athlete sprints down a runway, building up speed and momentum before the
takeoff.
Sand Pit: The athlete lands in a sand pit located beyond the takeoff board.
Minimum Length of the Runway: The minimum length of the runway can vary depending on
the level of competition, but it is often around 40 meters for elite competitions.
Sand Pit Dimensions: The length of the sand pit is typically at least 7 meters, and the width is
at least 2.75 meters.
Triple Jump:
The triple jump consists of the hop, step, and jump phases, which are executed sequentially.
The dimensions of the runway, takeoff board, and sand pit are similar to those of the long
jump.
In the triple jump, three separate marks may be used to indicate the takeoff points for each
phase.
The specific measurements and requirements for distance jumping areas can vary depending
on the competition's level and the rules set by the governing body, such as World Athletics
(formerly known as the IAAF). Athletes and event organizers should adhere to the regulations
and specifications outlined by the governing body to ensure consistency and fairness in
competition.
