NFHS proposed rule changes for 2015
Posted: Tue Apr 01, 2014 2:40 pm
(AP Newswire)
The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) is proposing some sweeping changes to the set of rules that govern high school track and field. The main reason for these changes is increased safety among the athletes and to speed up the time it takes to run a track meet.
"We've had a high rate of serious injuries the past few years, and we're finally putting the finishing touches on some of our rules in order to get to where we think we need to be", said Mike Cochese, chairman of the NFHS track and field rules committe. "We're also instituting some changes in the structure and format we run some of the events in order to lessen the amount of time it takes to hold a meet. I know I've been at meets that take as long as three to four hours to complete. We're going to try to get that under two hours."
Most of the rule changes occur in the pole vault, which, accorrding to Cochese, is the "most dangerous event and usually takes the longest to complete." Under the proposed changes, schools will now be required to have athletes that wish to compete in the pole vault turn in a psychological evaluation along with their physical forms and undergo a more strenuos physical examination, which includes strength and endurance testing. "The reasoning behind this," said Cochese, "is that we want to discourage kids with less than average physical and mental capactiy from participating in the event, thereby reducing the risk and liability for the schools."
When asked if any coaches or pole vault officials had been consulted about these controversial changes, Cochese replied, "Of course not. What kind of governing body elicits feedback before making rule proposals?"
Another proposed change is that pole vaulters would only get two attempts per height rather than the traditional three. This would apply to the high jump as well. A similar rule was attempted at the international level with little success, but Cochese seems optimistic that this will work at the high school level. Other jumping and throwing events will also get a reduction in the number of attempts, with the number changing from six to three. Schools will also only be allowed two competitors per event at any organized scholatic competition.
The most controversial of the new changes is the new "minimum starting height" rule. This would affect the high jump as well as the pole vault. The recommended starting heights for high jump are 5' 6" for boys and 4' 6" for girls. The pole vault would have starting heights of 10' for boys and 7' for girls. "We did a poll of high school head coaches across the country and got back a lot more positive feedback than negative.", said Cochese. "The general consensus from the coaches in favor was that if their kids can't clear that height, they shouldn't be participating anyway."
There was a push to also make helmets mandatory for all pole vaulters this year, but Cochese indicated that with all the changes they've made already, that instituting a helmet rule would be "pushing it". "We've thought about making helmets mandatory for a while now, and have also been exploring the possibility of a padded pole vaulting suit, but decided to not pursue those areas until the 2017 season when we will actively push for their use."
When contacted about the new rule changes, Jason Hinkin had this to say about it: "Its amazing how people these days think that anything they read on the internet must be true and seem to forget that today is April 1st."
Jeremy Ashcraft could not be reached for comment.
The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) is proposing some sweeping changes to the set of rules that govern high school track and field. The main reason for these changes is increased safety among the athletes and to speed up the time it takes to run a track meet.
"We've had a high rate of serious injuries the past few years, and we're finally putting the finishing touches on some of our rules in order to get to where we think we need to be", said Mike Cochese, chairman of the NFHS track and field rules committe. "We're also instituting some changes in the structure and format we run some of the events in order to lessen the amount of time it takes to hold a meet. I know I've been at meets that take as long as three to four hours to complete. We're going to try to get that under two hours."
Most of the rule changes occur in the pole vault, which, accorrding to Cochese, is the "most dangerous event and usually takes the longest to complete." Under the proposed changes, schools will now be required to have athletes that wish to compete in the pole vault turn in a psychological evaluation along with their physical forms and undergo a more strenuos physical examination, which includes strength and endurance testing. "The reasoning behind this," said Cochese, "is that we want to discourage kids with less than average physical and mental capactiy from participating in the event, thereby reducing the risk and liability for the schools."
When asked if any coaches or pole vault officials had been consulted about these controversial changes, Cochese replied, "Of course not. What kind of governing body elicits feedback before making rule proposals?"
Another proposed change is that pole vaulters would only get two attempts per height rather than the traditional three. This would apply to the high jump as well. A similar rule was attempted at the international level with little success, but Cochese seems optimistic that this will work at the high school level. Other jumping and throwing events will also get a reduction in the number of attempts, with the number changing from six to three. Schools will also only be allowed two competitors per event at any organized scholatic competition.
The most controversial of the new changes is the new "minimum starting height" rule. This would affect the high jump as well as the pole vault. The recommended starting heights for high jump are 5' 6" for boys and 4' 6" for girls. The pole vault would have starting heights of 10' for boys and 7' for girls. "We did a poll of high school head coaches across the country and got back a lot more positive feedback than negative.", said Cochese. "The general consensus from the coaches in favor was that if their kids can't clear that height, they shouldn't be participating anyway."
There was a push to also make helmets mandatory for all pole vaulters this year, but Cochese indicated that with all the changes they've made already, that instituting a helmet rule would be "pushing it". "We've thought about making helmets mandatory for a while now, and have also been exploring the possibility of a padded pole vaulting suit, but decided to not pursue those areas until the 2017 season when we will actively push for their use."
When contacted about the new rule changes, Jason Hinkin had this to say about it: "Its amazing how people these days think that anything they read on the internet must be true and seem to forget that today is April 1st."
Jeremy Ashcraft could not be reached for comment.