IHSA wrote:TO: T&F Officials and Meet Managers
FR: Ron McGraw, Assistant Executive Director, IHSA
RE: T&F Pole Vault, High Jump Rule Interpretations
DA: 4/17/1012
T&F Officials and Meet Managers,
I have been asked by many of you to reconsider three current IHSA rule interpretations relative to the pole vault and high jump. The first involves the Illinois interpretation of NFHS T&F Rule 7-5-9, dealing with the requirement to pad hard and unyielding surfaces surrounding the pole vault pit. The NFHS Rule requires the hard and unyielding surfaces around the landing system be padded. However, there is no definition within the rule with regard to how far out from the pit the hard surface must be padded. Illinois has long interpreted this distance to be a minimum of four (4) feet. After consulting with the National Federation and lead T&F officials in Illinois we have determined that Illinois, beginning immediately, will interpret the rule as the National Federation does. That is, while hard and unyielding surfaces must be padded, we will leave the distance up to the meet manager. The Illinois minimum of four (4) feet is no longer a required distance. Each venue will determine what is appropriate to make the event safe. The same interpretation of the high jump rule 7-4-4 will apply. In both cases, the IHSA recommended distance will be four (4) feet, but that is a recommendation and no longer a requirement.
The second rule involves the IHSA interpretation of NFHS T&F Rule 7-5-2, which in part, refers to the legal taping of the pole vault pole. Beginning immediately, it will no longer be an Illinois requirement to have one unbroken wrap of tape at the top of the pole. A vaulter will be allowed to have a wrap for the top hand and a separate wrap for the bottom hand. In addition, it will no longer be against the rule to wrap from the bottom towards the top of the pole. A pole may be wrapped from either the top or the bottom of the hand hold. As the rule states, “It may have a binding of adhesive tape of uniform thickness on the grip end.” Obviously this definition would not allow any type of a knob or stop to be built up with the tape.
As stated, these Illinois interpretations will be used by officials and meet managers immediately. While it is unusual to make changes to rule interpretations during the season, it seems appropriate to make the change at this time. Good luck to all with the remainder of your outdoor T&F season.
While it's strange to see a change on a rule interpretation in mid-season, I like these. How do they track with how the rest of the nation interprets these rules?
