WMTFOA: October 2007

This is the first blog for the WMTFOA, tell me what you think.

URGENT!

MANDATORY CONCUSSION TRAINING
Massachusetts state law now mandates concussion training for all coaches and game officials!!!
All coaches and game officials in Massachusetts are now required by law (105 CMR 101.00) and by the MIAA to complete a training course in concussion recognition, treatment, and prevention.
You can satisfy this requirement by taking and passing one of two FREE on-line courses and printing your certificate (which you should then place in your officials' bag!).
Completion of either very informative course takes about 30 to 40 minutes and includes a short test. If you choose to take the NFHS course, you must first register with NFHSLearn (easy to do on the web site).
Each web site also includes an extensive collection of educational resources pertaining to concussion and head injury.
TAKE THE COURSE NOW at either:
www.cdc.gov/concussion/HeadsUp/online_training.html
or
www.nfhslearn.com/electiveDetail.aspx?courseID=15000

ORDER OF EVENTS

There has been some confusion in terms of the CORRECT order of running events in High School dual meets. When the Coaches agree to move an event to another location in the meet, you as the Official can allow it. When there is a dispute, this is the standard order for the running events as listed in the National Federation Rule Book:

4 x 800 meter relay (SCORED EVENT in the Berkshires, it is usually a non-scoring event in the PVIAC. Most PVIAC meets do not hold this event, but they always can)
THEN
High hurdles, 100 meter dash, 4 x 200 meter relay (which has not been a scored event in Mass since 1974, so it won't be run), Mile, 4 x 100 meter relay, 400 meter dash , 400 meter hurdles, 800 meter run, 200 meter dash, Two mile run, then the 4 x 400 meter relay.

Some of you wish to speed the meet along and run the two mile first. If the Coaches agree, then go ahead. If they DON'T, put it in after the 200. My suggestion is that you run the 400 hurdles first and then you will eliminate the amount of time taken to put the hurdles on and take them off after the 400. Running the two mile first is not a guarantee the meet shall move any quicker. Here's why:

If you as a starter make the calls and run the events with "flow", it does not matter when you run anything. Don't let the Coaches slow things down. Timers remember to record the times and places quickly and correctly, then get ready for the next heat or event.

Field events are held in whatever order the facility determines. Usually it goes Shot Put to Discus, Long Jump to Triple Jump, High Jump, Pole Vault, and then Javelin. At some places Javelin is held earlier. That is a facilities call. This is why the PRE-MEET meeting is so important. Lay out the ground rules right away!

Another suggestion is that the Meet Director and Starter find out how many competitors shall be involved with each school in the sprinting and hurdling events. At that time, heats can be pre-formed ( yes, they might change, but the groundwork has been done) and discussed prior to the running events.

The PVIAC has asked us to allow up to 8 competitors per event. Most teams are good at following that rule. You CAN enforce it if you see a school trying to abuse it. An example would be 10 javelin throwers and 4 of them are throwing only 40 feet. Coaches should only put athletes in competition that won't embarrass themselves. However, if there is a special needs student/athlete, treat them as if this is THEIR Olympics, because it is.

Everyone have a great season!

WMTFOA

Thursday, October 4, 2007

WESTERN MASS. TRACK AND FIELD OFFICIALS