Things ML-12 Athletes Should Know!

SAFETY DURING MEETS       pdf print version

1. Never walk across the area where high jumpers are practicing or shot putters are throwing!!  IT ONLY TAKES ONE THOUGHTLESS ACTION TO RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. 

2. When warming up and running in lanes 1 or 2 and overtaking a slower runner do NOT shout or try to get the slower runner to move out of your way. It is your responsibility to PASS ON THE RIGHT in a safe manner. Conversely if you are aware that a faster runner is overtaking you, make sure you DO NOT VERE RIGHT OR LEFT. A crowded track needs predictable behavior from all athletes using it, so this RULE IS VERY IMPORTANT. AGAIN IT IS UNACCEPTABLE to yell “track” or any other demand in an effort to clear other practicing athletes from the track. To yell “track” IS ACCEPTABLE when a spectator, basketball player, wrestler or cheerleader is walking on or near the track and poses a danger.

3. Running or jogging in the REVERSE DIRECTION ON THE TRACK is inherently dangerous and should not occur.

CHECKING IN TO YOUR EVENT

During most ML-10 varsity and JV meets entrants in that event will be given an entry slip from their coach for their event listing all your team's athletes for that event. This is what you do with it.

CLERK of the MEET -   There usually is one slip and any of the entrants into that event may approach and turn it in to the CLERK of the MEET.  This is called checking into your event. 

1. It is critical that you listen for "THE CALL" for your event and make sure you get the entry slip turned it into the CLERK of the MEET in a timely fashion.  Being out of the arena or in rest room does not constitute an excuse for not turning in the entry slip.

2. The clerk always want to see all the contestants from a team as a group to issue HIP NUMBERS and check for uniform violations. If you then leave the area and miss your event then you have used up one element of your participation in the meet. See participation later in this document.

3. Remember, anyone entered in the event may turn in the entry slip and get instructions from the Clerk of the Meet.  Check the slip and make sure it is correct before you turn it.  By this I mean the names and numbers are correct and all your team's athletes are present and planning to compete.

4. What is a HIP NUMBER you ask, it is a stick on number that helps in the timing and judging of the meet, one is worn on your left hip and possibly one on your left shirt upper chest area.

5. See the HIP#s in the picture. They allow the electronic timing operator to identify you from the side.

   

PACING RULES

You can get a teammate disqualified if you assist him/her during a competition. One of these infractions is called pacing a team member as you run along the track cheering. How can you cheer for a teammate and NOT get disqualified? There are two main points.

1. A stationary position, plant your feet and cheer, from outside the oval.

2. Non competing team members are expected/required to be outside the track oval, you are not to be in the infield except to compete or clerk for a competition, so when you are in that position refrain from cheering. If you do turn your attention to the oval, plant your feet in a location away from the edge of the oval.

   INTERFERENCE

You can get a teammate disqualified if you impede any competitors during an event.

1. This most often occurs in the excitement of a close important race when team members run to celebrate with that competing team mate.  Running on to the track when you think a race is over is a recipe for disaster.  Often there are slower runners still completing the race that you have overlooked.  You bump or impede anyone in the race, regardless of how far behind will subject all your team mates in that race to be disqualified.  An event is not over until all competitors have finished.

2. You cross the track and impede a runner on the track.  This is also common dangerous and will get all your team members disqualified in that race.

PICTURE TAKING

DURING A MEET CAN GET YOU OR A TEAMMATE DISQUALIFIED UNDER SOME SPECIFIC CONDITIONS, WHAT ARE THESE CONDITIONS? Reviewing the pictures or video during the competition, especially the HJ and SHOT PUT.

TAUNTING

TAUNTING NO – BEING A GOOD SPORTSPERSON YES!

1. What is taunting? 

2. What are the consequences?

You MAY cheer for a competitor from another team, you may display reasonable joy and satisfaction for a good effort but if your ACTIONS are interpreted as an inappropriate gesture or you say anything interpreted as derogatory, gloating or sarcastic in nature you are subject to disqualification by the officials.  Best way to avoid any misinterpretation is to leave the track, get away from the officials, let the race end then celebrate.  Hard to do sometimes but a sure recipe for success.

 You play the official, is this joy or taunting? 

Tough call, in some officials judgment this could be interpreted as taunting.

EATING AND DRINKING AT ML-10 EVENTS

1. What are you allowed to drink or eat during a meet? What are the specific prohibitions?

2. What are the penalties? Why is this such a BIG deal?

    You CANNOT consume food or flavored drinks inside any field-house. Vitamin water and  flavored waters are NOT allowed.

3. The Reggie Lewis Track Facility has a rule that athletes NOT EAT OR DRINK ANYTHING, except for WATER, outside designated locations. The designated location is near the lobby and the area immediately surrounding the food court location.

4. SO WATER YES, ANYTHING ELSE NO, IN ANY FIELD HOUSE.

5. We risk the possibility of permanently losing our privilege to use these facilities, so its a BIG DEAL!.

What are the event limits for Varsity ML-10 competitions?

1. Dash and hurdles - 3@Lex and Reading, 4@ all other league meet sites,

2. 300m - 4@ all other sites

3. 600m 3@ all sites

4. 1000m and 1 mile – unlimited.

5. 2 mi - 4 @ Lexington, Woburn and Reading:

6. High jump - 4 @ Lexington, Woburn and Reading:

7. Shot Put - 4 @ Lexington, Woburn and Reading:

8. Relay restricted to one team.

What are the participation limits for an athlete during a varsity competition?

 1 running, 1 field and 1 relay (1-1-1)

What are the event limits for Junior Varsity ML-10 competitions?

1. Dash JV - unlimited

2. Hurdles JV – unlimited

3. 300m JV – 4

4. 400m JV – 4

5. 600m JV – 4

6. 1000m – unlimited

7. 1 mile – unlimited

8. HJ and shot put – 4 each

What are the participation limits for an athlete during a junior varsity competition?

2 running, 1 field and 1 relay (2-1-1) OR 1 running, 2 field and 1 relay.

YOUR BIB NUMBER

1. Your number is for all league meets so keep it safe until the end of the season.  If you forget your number go to the front desk before the start of the meet and make a replacement number. The league has blank numbers and markers for this purpose.

2. USE 4 PINS TO SECURE NUMBER.               

3. HIP numbers stick on but do not leave them on for more than one day as they will damage your uniform.

JEWELRY RULES, NOW THEM AND OBSERVE THEM? BEST PRACTICE IS TO LEAVE ALL JEWELRY AT HOME?

#4-3-7 National Federation of High Schools, MIAA and Middlesex League Rule

1. Contestants shall NOT wear jewelry with the EXCEPTION OF RELIGIOUS or medical medals.  If such medals are worn, they MUST be taped to the body with red X marked on the tape. 

Wrist watches are considered equipment, and they MAY be worn.

2. all other jewelry is not allowed to be worn, such as, but not limited to - earrings (including stud types), finger rings, and rings on any body part (e.g.: lip, tongue, eye, bully button, or any other part of the body.) 

3. Taping over an offending piece of jewelry is not permitted, it must be removed or you are not allowed to enter.  Should a competitor start in an event in violation of jewelry rules, he or she is subject to disqualification following the event.