Level 2 Starters and Starters’ Assistant Questions 2018

These are the Starter/Starters’ Assistant Questions which should be completed for accreditation to Level 2 (County).

Useful resources: UKA Rule Book 2018 – 2020; WPA Rule Book 2018 – 2020; Level 1 Candidate Memory Stick and conversations with your peers; and…….for later IAAF Starters Guidelines 2018

General

1. There are certain rules governing the construction and setting of starting blocks.

a. Why is it permissible for the rear of the block to extend beyond the outer lane line and not the inner lane line?

b. An athlete in the T47 class comes onto the track with an arm support, which is the same colour as the track and even has a white line, of the correct width, at the front of his support. He places this on the track so that the white line is on top of the white line on the track. What, if anything, would be your reaction to this situation?

c. Below are some photographs of starting blocks. Please advise if the blocks comply with the rules, and think laterally to give examples of situations where the blocks may be accepted

i.

ii.

iii.

2. This question refers to the clothing and shoes which athletes wear.

a) List the two minimum items of clothing that must be worn by an athlete competing in a track race?

b)What do the rules require of these two items?

c) What does the Rule require of vests for all competitors in a team or relay race? Are there any exceptions under UKA rules? If so, who makes the decision?

d) In the Rule on footwear, what is the maximum length of spike allowed on a synthetic surface? (Note: in practice some stadia will specify a shorter maximum length - your answer should be the specified length in the Rule)

e) An athlete comes to the start line clearly wearing spikes the sole of which looks as if it is 15mm thick and has only 9 spikes of 12mm in the sole. Describe your course of action, if any.

3. This question refers to competitors’ numbers.

a) How many competitors' numbers should be worn by each athlete in a track race? Do not include hip numbers.

b) Where and how should they be worn?

c) Where photo-finish equipment is being used, where should the photo-finish number be fixed, assuming the camera is in the normal position, on the outside of the track, level with the finishing line?

d) Does the position of these numbers change if you are dealing with wheelchair athletes? Explain.

e) An athlete comes out onto the track wearing numbers where it is obvious that he has cut the sponsor’s advertising off to make the number more comfortable to wear. When advised by you, as a starter’s assistant, he refuses to do anything to rectify the situation. Describe your course of action, with reasons, giving any other relevant senior officials who could/should be involved.

f)

The following questions refer to possible scenarios which could/have

arisen at the start.

4. a An athlete comes to register early for the start of a 100m heat but has, at the same time, a long jump competition on the far side of the track. The athlete is in heat 6 and the long jump competition is in the warm up phase. How would you manage the situation to allow the athlete to participate in both competitions?

b. An athlete withdraws from the 200m final without giving the track referee a valid reason. The same athlete appears at the start for the 400m race. What action should you take and why?

5. The following questions are about disability athletics. In the space

provided

answer "TRUE" or "FALSE” to the following statements: -

a) A wheelchair athlete must wear a helmet in races longer than 400m and including the 4 x 400m relay.

b) An athlete with cerebral palsy wishes to use starting blocks. The athlete must have both hands and feet in contact with the ground.

c) In a 100m race for a totally blind athlete, the athlete has to wear eye patches but does not need to wear opaque glasses over the eye patches.

d) Wheelchair athletes in an 800m race should be allowed at least one lap to set the compensator on the wheelchair.

e) An athlete in a T44 class loses his prosthesis within 10m of the start. The starter should recall the race.

f) A guide runner for a T12 athlete records a false start on the start information system. The guide is given a warning.

6. List FOUR factors that a good Starter will take into account when deciding upon the position he/she will take up in order to start a 100m race.

7. Which cards would you show under UKA rules?

Under 15 boys 100m first false start.

Under 20 women 100m first false start

Senior men 110 mH Decathlon first false start.

Senior Women 200m Heptathlon second false start

English Schools rules. Under 17 Men 400m first false start

8. This question is about the starting procedure

a) Why should the recall gun not be cocked?

b) Should all holding times be the same?

c) When should the starting gun be reloaded?

d) The track referee thinks that the start was unfair and comes to you to complain. What would your course of action be and why?

9. This question concerns the set up at the start of a County level 3000m with 17 senior men.

Use the diagram to indicate where you would deploy the following athletes and officials.

Starters) Starter’s assistant(s) Mark with an X where you would call up the athletes Mark with a blue line where you would assemble the athletes

10. There is a shot put competition taking place in and around the blue circle.

Describe, in detail, your course of action, include in your answer who you might liaise with and the reasons you would do this.

Answer.

11. This question concerns the set up at the start of a County level series of 100m junior girl’s heats.

Use the diagram to indicate where you would deploy the following athletes and officials.

Starter(s) Starter’s assistant(s) Mark with an X where you would call up the athletes Mark with a blue line or cross where you would assemble the

athletes

Please note the straight green line is the start line.

12. The meeting includes parallel success athletes. What differences would there be in your procedures for the following athletes at the star of the 100m. Include in your answer whether you would offer the athletes the use of blocks or not.

a. T38 ambulant athletes with Cerebral palsy.

b. T54 wheelchair athletes

c. T31 Racerunning athletes

13. This question relates to the wave form on the next page and the associated reaction times.

a. What is a legal reaction time?

b. Which athlete(s), if any would have been disqualified in this race? Explain your answer.

c. Look carefully at the waveforms in lanes 4 and 7. Can you explain the shape of the curve in lane 4. Think about what the starter might have seen and the current IAAF rules relating to the start to explain your answer.