NFHS proposed rule changes for 2015

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NFHS proposed rule changes for 2015

Unread postby ashcraftpv » 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.
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Re: NFHS proposed rule changes for 2015

Unread postby Victory Sports » Tue Apr 01, 2014 9:46 pm

perfectly ok with the 7ft and 10ft at a varsity meet... If JV meets need to be added lower, that is fine...

I believe there should still be 3 attempts and 3 competitors per school. If they are worried about running off the meet in time, schools can limit the number of teams that enter, or stick to 3 athletes per team. Learn how to more efficiently run the pole vault. Our school hosted 26 teams, we had 61 total vaulters split it into A and B flights by height for boys and girls and still finished before all the running events.

The Psych and other physical evaluations are just asking for more trouble and completely stupid. What about a kid with a disability that wants to vault, what about the girl in Texas that was legally blind but jumped 11+ feet. (there is a lawsuit on that one).

I do agree however, not every kid is born or made to pole vault. Not every kid can dunk a basketball or swim well either. But these suggested changes will only draw more negative attention to the vault... It is time to come together and develop a system based on coaching allows coaches to make knowledgeable decisions and make the sport safer. Coaching and education is the answer and its really the only answer.

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Re: NFHS proposed rule changes for 2015

Unread postby PV2020 » Tue Apr 01, 2014 11:01 pm

Victory Sports wrote:perfectly ok with the 7ft and 10ft at a varsity meet... If JV meets need to be added lower, that is fine...

I believe there should still be 3 attempts and 3 competitors per school. If they are worried about running off the meet in time, schools can limit the number of teams that enter, or stick to 3 athletes per team. Learn how to more efficiently run the pole vault. Our school hosted 26 teams, we had 61 total vaulters split it into A and B flights by height for boys and girls and still finished before all the running events.

The Psych and other physical evaluations are just asking for more trouble and completely stupid. What about a kid with a disability that wants to vault, what about the girl in Texas that was legally blind but jumped 11+ feet. (there is a lawsuit on that one).

I do agree however, not every kid is born or made to pole vault. Not every kid can dunk a basketball or swim well either. But these suggested changes will only draw more negative attention to the vault... It is time to come together and develop a system based on coaching allows coaches to make knowledgeable decisions and make the sport safer. Coaching and education is the answer and its really the only answer.


Gotta love when they don't read all the way to the end of the first post. Good one ashcraftpv :yes:

not quite as good as your return to the sport though... :P

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ashcraftpv
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Re: NFHS proposed rule changes for 2015

Unread postby ashcraftpv » Tue Apr 01, 2014 11:38 pm

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Re: NFHS proposed rule changes for 2015

Unread postby rainbowgirl28 » Wed Apr 02, 2014 2:16 am

:yes:

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Re: NFHS proposed rule changes for 2015

Unread postby Victory Sports » Wed Apr 02, 2014 10:53 am

Totally aware of April 1st... April one or not... All of those comments have been brought up before. There will be a point and time to talk about who and how vaulters can jump. And yeah minimum opening heights would correlate to the ability to actually pole vault. A school started the mens Pole vault at 6ft this past week with 15 vaulters, the event took so long they called the girls pole vault on account of darkness and the women were starting at 7ft with 22 competitors. While your post may reference April fools, there are needed guidelines that will help promote the , safety and competition.

But yeah enjoy April 1... Because the next meet I go to where they start HS boys at 6 ft, I will ask if it is April 1st.


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