The following are some key components to marking. Your job/position is very important as you are validating the athletes body of work, in terms of their winning or losing it is all about were the implement lands. A missed mark can be the difference between first or second, going to the Nationals, All American and so on.
- During the warm up’s use this time to scout the competitors, where does the implement land for each thrower. Depending on staffing levels you may be asked to retrieve during the warm up’s, in doing so you still have an opportunity to determine where each competitors implement is landing. During warm up’s keep all manner of measuring devices out of the sector, a broken tape, laser pole etc is of no use during the competition. Be safe out there many officials are hurt during warm up’s as their attention wain’s.
- After the warm up’s insure that the sector is clean of all marks left during the warm up’s.
- Once the event begins position yourself either just outside the sector or to the side of the expected landing location. Do not stand behind the area in which the implement is expected to land, the first thing your brain is telling you is do not get hit by this cannon ball.
- As the athlete enters the ring focus on their form, watch as they release the implement. After the implement is released follow it’s flight with your eye’s, move laterally in the direction in which you feel the implement will land. Follow the implements flight as you would a home run, a touch down pass or the flight of a golf ball. Perception is important, the coaches, throwers and fans are all watching you as you proceed to the mark After the implement lands intensely focus on that spot and proceed to it’s location. Never take your eye’s off the spot for any reason,never assume that it’s a foul, the only foul call you should make is a sector foul. The officials judging the ring will let you know via the appropriate flag if a foul occurs at the ring. The ring judge charged with the duty of holding up the flags needs to keep the appropriate flag up for a very long time.
- Once you arrive at the location of the mark place the tip of the laser pole at the closest break to the ring ( show picture). Never place the tip of the laser pole on the white sector line for the purpose of measuring a throw it is a foul if any part of the ball touches any part of the sector line. If you have a doubt ask the event head and/or the flight coordinator for a ruling.
- Once you have received the thumbs up sign from the recorder be it the laser/lap top official(s), or the flight coordinator in the event of a computer failure hold the mark until the next thrower enters the ring. After you vacate the mark the area should be swept clean by the assigned person. It is always better to leave a mark late rather than too soon. It is the athletes right to protest therefore it behooves us to preserve the evidence when ever possible.
If you have questions about the above information, please email
Gary Rush or Terry Thurber
Texas A&M Track and Field Officials Association 