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Level 2 Track and Field

The Level 2 Track and Field training is designed for Special Olympics Massachusetts coaches who would like to become a Level 2 Track and Field coach and/or for volunteers who would like information about Special Olympics Massachusetts Track and Field. This training counts as Level 2 certification and/or recertification for three years from the date this training is completed.��This training will cover Special Olympics Massachusetts Track and Field events, rules, competitions, the divisioning process, registration and Track and Field resources.�

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Track Events and Rules

Races 400 meters or below, the commands of the starter shall be ―”on your marks,” ―”set,” and, when all competitors are set, the gun shall be fired.

In races 800 meters or longer, the commands shall be ―”on your marks” and, when all competitors are steady, the gun shall be fired. A competitor shall not touch the ground with their hand(s).

800 meters distance: Athletes will stay in the lanes through the first turn and break toward lane one at the break-line marked after the first turn.

1500 meters and greater distances: A waterfall start shall be used. Athletes may cut in as soon as they have space to not interfere with another athlete.

If a competitor is pushed or forced by another person to run or walk outside their lane, and if no material advantage is gained, the competitor should not be disqualified.

Crossing into a Different Lane - If a competitor is pushed or forced by another person to run outside their lane, and if no material advantage is gained, the competitor should not be disqualified.

False Starts - Athletes are allowed one false start. On the second false start they are disqualified and receive a

participation award.

Walking Events - Athletes must have one foot in touch with the ground at all times.

Maximum Time – For races of 100m or under, there is a max time limit of 2-minutes.

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Track Events and Rules

Guided Events

Athletes may have a person on the track to guide them however the athlete must propel themselves under their own power (delegations must provide registered coach for on track guide).
Athlete is timed from the smoke of the starter’s gun to when their torso reaches the perpendicular plane of the nearest edge of the finish line.

Events Offered: 100m, 50m

Assisted Events

Athletes provide their own assisted devices. Assisted devices may consist of canes, crutches or walker.
Athlete starts behind the start line with a walking aid/device.
Athlete walks using a walking aid.
Athlete may not receive physical assistance from coaches, officials, etc.
Athlete is timed from the smoke of the starter’s gun to when their torso reaches the perpendicular plane of the nearer edge of the finish line.

Events Offered: 50m, 25m, 10m

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Wheelchair Events and Rules

Non-motorized Wheelchair Events

Athletes shall start with all wheels behind the start line.
Athlete is timed from the smoke of the starter’s gun to when all front wheels (two or one) of the wheelchair reach the perpendicular plane of the nearer edge of the finish line.
Athletes shall not be pushed, pulled or otherwise assisted during these events.
Each competitor must keep in their lane from start to finish and may not interfere, obstruct or impede the progress of another competitor. Infractions, at the discretion of the judges, may result in disqualification.

Events Offered: 400M, 200M, 100m, 50m, 25m, 10m �Non- motorized Wheelchair Slalom

Beginning at the start line, place one cone in each lane at 5-meter intervals. Cones should be placed in the middle of the lanes.
Athlete maneuvers their chair through the course, going to the right of the first obstacle and across the finish line without impeding another athlete on the course. Knocking down a marker constitutes a violation, and a three-second penalty will be assessed.

Events Offered 30m

Motorized Wheelchair Races

The first two wheels on each competitor’s wheelchair will be regarded as the starting and finishing points of all races.
If a competitor varies from a sequence of obstacles, they must, without notice from any official, resume progress at the point prior to the incorrectly passed obstacle before entering the next obstacle and complete the course in its entirety, or be disqualified.
In essence, failure to complete the course as designed will result in disqualification.
A competitor will be disqualified if that individual’s coach (or assistants) enters the course boundaries during the running of the

obstacle course. Coaches may instruct from outside the marked boundaries of the course.

Judges and officials will not give directional cues.
Athlete is timed from the smoke of the starter’s gun to when the front wheels of the wheelchair reach

the perpendicular plane of the nearer edge of the finish line.

Events Offered: 100m, 50m, 25m

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Motorized Wheelchair Slalom

Each athlete will use two lanes as their lane, sufficiently wide enough to allow for wheelchairs.
Diagram — 30 Meter Motorized Wheelchair Slalom can be found on page 13 of the SOI rule book.
Athlete maneuvers their chair through the course, going to the right of the first obstacle and across the finish line without impeding another athlete on the course. Knocking down a cone constitutes a violation, and a three-second penalty will be assessed.

Events Offered: 50m, 30m

Motorized Wheelchair Obstacle Course

Athlete starts facing the course.
The athlete completes a 360 degree circle with in the three meter box which will be marked by cones two meters up from the starting line. Upon completion, the athlete weaves in and out of four cones set 3 meters apart, then completes a second 360 degree circle between the 3 meter box marked with cones starting 5 meters from the finish line.
The box (3 meters x 3 meters) is used only as an indicator for the athlete to complete the 360-degree circle. No points and/or time shall be deducted for touching or going over the lines. The box can be outlined with chalk and cones.
Knocking down a marker constitutes a violation, and a three-second penalty will be assessed. Competitors who do not make an obvious attempt to go between each pair of markers are subject to disqualification at the discretion of the referee.
Diagram for this event can be found on page 14 of the SOI rule book.

Events Offered: 25m

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Jumping Events and Rules

�In the running long jump and standing long jump each athlete shall be allowed three non-consecutive attempts. All three attempts shall be measured and recorded for breaking ties. The longest measurement of the three attempts shall be used for scoring. All long jump events will be measured from takeoff board.� �Running Long Jump

In the long jump, an athlete must be able to jump at least 1m.
Distance will be measured from the closest impression on the landing area made by any part of the body, limbs or clothing to the take-offline for all jumps.
If an athlete jumps less than 1M at the area meet, they cannot advance to state in the running long jump.
All jump attempts will be measured from takeoff. Takeoff for the running long jump will be a least 0.5M from pit.

�Standing Long Jump

A competitor shall use both feet on the take-off. They may rock backward and forward lifting their heels and toes alternately, but they may not lift either foot completely off the ground.
Distance will be measured from the closest impression on the landing area made by any part of the body, limbs or clothing to the take-off line for all jumps.
All jump attempts will be measured from takeoff. Takeoff for the standing long jump will be at the edge of the pit.

�High Jump

The competitor shall take off from one foot.
The minimum opening height for all high jump competitions shall be 1.00 meter.
Competitors shall not dive forward over the bar or take off from a two-footed stance.

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Throwing Events and Rules

In the throwing events (shot put, javelin, softball throw and tennis ball throw) each athlete shall be allowed three non-consecutive attempts. All three attempts shall be measured and recorded for breaking ties. The longest measurement of the three attempts shall be used for scoring.� �Shot Put

The shot may be steel, brass, or a synthetic-covered implement. Women’s shot is 3kg (6.6lbs). Men’s shot is 4kg (8.8lbs)
It is acceptable to include wheelchair athletes in the regular divisions of the shot put, but the weight of shot must be the same for all competitors.
A legal put shall be made from within the circle. In the course of an attempt, the athlete, or wheelchair, may not touch the top edge of the stop-board, the top of the iron ring or any surface outside of the circle. It is legal to touch the inside of the stop-board or the iron band.
The put shall be declared foul and shall not be measured if, after entering the circle and starting the put, the competitor commits any of the following:
Uses any method contrary to the definition of legal
Causes the shot to fall on or outside the lines marking the landing vector.

�Softball Throw and Tennis Ball Throw Softball Throw: 30 centimeter (11 3/4 inches) in circumference softball shall be used.

Tennis Ball Throw: a tennis ball shall be used.
Competitors may use any type of throw.
These throwing events are for athletes who throw the ball 30M or less. If an athlete throws more than

30M, they will be awarded participation and cannot advance to state in that event.

Distance will be measured from the start line to where the ball first contacts the ground, not the final location of the ball

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Throwing Events and Rules

� �Javelin

Ages 8-15 participants use 400g mini jav
Ages 16+ participants use regulation 600g training Jav
Jav must be held with one hand by the grip
Participants must throw with over hand motion over the shoulder
Participant must not have back turned towards throwing area when throwing jav
All participants must exit throwing zone through rear of zone and not cross the start line
Distance will be measured from the start line to where the Javelin first contacts the ground, not the final location

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Pentathlon

Pentathlon events:

100 meter run

Running long jump

Shot put

High jump

400 meter run

Points are awarded for each event and added together for a final pentathlon score. If achieved time or distance is not given in the pentathlon score table, the score for the nearest lesser performance should be read.��The pentathlon scoring table is found in the SOI Athletics Rulebook on page 16-33, click here to access the scoring table.

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Assistance Needed

Guide Runner- When an athlete is visually impaired and/or needs a guide runner to keep them on track and moving forward. Must be provided by delegation.

Visual Start- When an athlete in a race has this assistance, the race will start by starting gun, but an official/assistant will signal near the athlete to give them a visual cue to start.

Touch Start- When an athlete in a race has this assistance, the race will start by starting gun, but an official/assistant will touch the athlete to give them a cue to start.

Middle Lane- The athlete will be on the middle lanes; i.e. on an 8 lane track, the athlete would be placed on lanes 2-7.

Outside Lane- The athlete will be on an outside lane; i.e. on an 8 lane track, the athlete would be placed on lane 1 or 8.
Staging- The athlete is allowed to have an assistant through the staging area.

Rope- The athlete uses a rope/guide provided by the delegations. Offered in races 100M and shorter.

1 on 1- The athlete is allowed to have an assistant through the staging area and up to the starting line. At this point, the assistant must go to the finish line and wait for the athlete to finish the race. AT NO TIME IS AN ASSISTANT ALLOWED ON THE TRACK,

EXCEPT IN A PHYSICAL ASSISTED EVENT.

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General Rules for Blind and Deaf Athletes�

A rope or sighted guide runner may be provided to assist athletes who are visually impaired.
Rope or sighted guide runner must be provided by the delegation.
Ropes may only be used for races up to 100m. Contact Sports Manager for questions.
A sighted guide runner may not be ahead of the athlete in any manner. At no time may the guide runner pull the athlete or propel the athlete forward by pushing.
A tap start will be used for an athlete who is both deaf and blind.
Rope and sight guides must be provided by delegations

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Unified Sports Track & Field

Teams are made up of Athletes and Unified partners.
Rosters may contain 12-20 participants
Teams may fall into two age groups 8-15 or 16+
Participants earn points for overall team award in each induvial race
Awards are giving for individual races and team total
Events offered

50m (8-15 Only) Softball Throw (8-15 only)
100M Javelin
200M Shot Put
400M Long Jump
800M
4x100M
Participants may do up to two events and one relay
Teams may only submit two relay team
All Track and Field rules apply

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Track and Field Divisioning & Registration

Track and Field Divisioning (3-8 athletes per division)

Ability - Practice qualifying score for each event
Age - (approx. 8-15, 16-21, 22-29, and 30 and older)
Divisions - The scores within a division are 20 percent between highest and lowest scores.

Registration�Registration is done by Local Program Coordinator or Head Coaches. If you need help with registration please contact your Business Operations Manager��When a coach registers a team they must submit the following:

Practice qualifying score for each event that an athlete/partner competes in
Coaches on each team
Athletes/partners must have appropriate paperwork submitted in order to register

If an athlete is attending the State competition they must attend Regional Qualifer first.��State Divisioning - divisions are based on an Athlete’s Qualifier results

State Tournament – If a quota is put in place, athletes qualify by earning a gold medal at the qualifier (relay's do not count). If quota has not been met silver medal winners will receive an invite, So on down placement until quota is reached��Combining Lanes - Be aware that in an attempt to minimize the length of the competition, we may put multiple divisions on the track for certain events. Please advise coaches, parents, and spectators of this so there isn’t confusion on why an athlete is so much faster or slower than another during a single race, or why an athlete who physically placed fourth in a race may receive a gold medal or first place ribbon.

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In Season Fitness For Coaches

SOMA believes that fitness should be integrate into your sports season to enhance your athlete's performance and overall wellbeing.

Practice Visit or In Season Preparation

Get advice on how to write a proper practice plan that incorporates warmups, cool downs, and fitness drills
Learn sport specific warmups, cool downs and fitness drills that can easily added into practices
Learn how to have an active practice
Have a SOMA Staff member attend a practice to talk to your team about health or fitness (hydrating, stretching, or healthy eating)

Questions? Want materials?
Contact ops@specialolympicsma.org