AboutRichard Howland Expertise I am a master USATF Track and Field official and can answer questions about officiating high school (NFHS), college (NCAA), National (USATF) and international in field events. I am not a coach except for other officials. My specialties are the Field events except pole vault.
Experience I delight in meeting athletes from all backgrounds and ages. I have even officiated field events for a one hundred year old long jumper as well as many "Master" and "Senior" athletes. Special olympics is a great event for officials to volunteer and see the essence of good sport on the faces of the athletes.
After thirty three years as a trial lawyer in Massachusetts with a focus on sports law, among others, I retired and devote much of my time to officiating. I referee soccer, time football, officiate swimming and diving, and officiate and start all events in track and field. My special focus in field events.
In high school and college I played soccer, squash and lacrosse, but track was not available in any depth then. Since I was a lawyer I began officiating and training to officiate sports which I could fit into my schedule. I honestly do not remember when I first started track and field officiating, but estimate that I have been very active for at least fifteen years.
I regularly officiate all events and levels.
Question Please define what constitutes a scratch or disqualificiation (if anything) in terms of 'breaking the plane' when a jumper approaches the bar but doesn't jump.
Thank you.
Answer Dear Lori:
Imagine that the bar between the uprights is the top of truly flat curtain. The curtain below the bar is a geometric plane.
Based on your stated facts, if a jumper in high school during a trial, entered that flat imaginary curtain AND touched, with any part of the athlete's body, clothing etc., the ground, pad, mat or something on the apparatus "beyond the plane", it is a foul.
"Scratch" means an athlete or coach removed the athlete from the competition. "Disqualification" happens only by a Referee and not an event judge and is a serious infraction usually sportsmanship, honesty or violence, and not failing a single trial. It is not any more than a failed trial and each athlete has to fail three consecutive trials to be released from further participation.
Some people miss the requirement that the touching is essential beyond the plane or it is simply an aborted trial. Provided the same athlete still has time left in her minute the athlete would be able to continue her trial with in the original time limit.
I hope that this will help you. Passing an arm under the bar without contact is not a foul in high school. Good luck, Dick Howland
