implement inspection 101...• girls (hs): 1.0 kg • women (19-49): 1.0 kg • construction: •...
TRANSCRIPT
Implement Inspection 101
Rev. B, JAN 2015
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� Why this presentation?
� Why are legal implements important?
� Overview of implement specs
� Examples of impounded implements
Agenda:
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• Not all meets will have an Implement Inspector
• Where an Inspector is not present, the Throws Judge
must perform the inspection function
• This presentation:
• Covers implement inspection in the field
• Does not go into measurement details• Provides examples of what to look for
Why this presentation?
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• The Throws Official must be cognizant of which size of implement is thrown by which age group
• See “Implement Weight vs. Age Charts” file in the training CD for a complete listing of Masters and Youth age groups, and the weight of implements they throw
• See the stand-alone Throws clinic slides in the training CD for a complete listing of all implements, and which competitor groups use them
• These slides list the most common implement sizes as a reference, but the above references must be consulted
for more detail
Some general notes:
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• Implements are specified in weight, dimensions &construction
• Exceedance of specifications may unfairly enhance
the flight or handling characteristics of an implement
• An illegal (advantageous) implement is:
• Unfair to other competitors (for obvious reasons)
• Unfair to the competitor (it will be discovered and impounded at
post-regular season meets, when performance means the most)
Why are legal implements important?
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• Minimum required weight*• Boys (HS): 12 lb• Men (19-49): 7.260 kg• Girls (HS): 4 kg• Women (19-49): 4 kg
• Construction: • Metal not softer than brass (outdoor shot)
• Typical materials are cast iron, brass, steel, stainless steel
• Inner movement is acceptable (e.g., lead pellets)• Shape must be spherical• Surface must be smooth• The weight is frequently stamped or molded into the shot• Plastic shell filled with lead pellets (indoor shot)• Plastic shell must be unalterable in shape (indoor shot)
Shot overview
* See “Implement Weight vs. Age Charts” file for other sizes of shots.
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• What to look for:• An 8 lb shot (not legal) masquerading as a 4 kg shot
• Look for a stamped or molded number on the shot
• Compare a known 4 kg against a questionable shot by
holding one in each hand & comparing their weights
• If in doubt, impound it
Shot overview (con’t)
8 lb shots4 kg shot
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• What to look for:• Nicked, gouged or rough surface
• Any roughness or discontinuity of the surface, which could
enhance the thrower’s grip of the shot, is illegal
• This includes deliberate grinding of “finger holds” in the
surface of the shot.
Shot overview (con’t)
These images are extreme examples of gouged surfaces. A shot with a
fine, sandpaper-like surface should also be disqualified.
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• What to look for:• Other types of finger holds
• A poor casting that leaves a ridge
• A flat spot
Shot overview (con’t)
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• What to look for:• Mold marks that are too large
• A small mold mark in a cast shot is generally ok.
• Anything larger than a dime should be impounded.
Shot overview (con’t)
The following mold marks are too large and serve as finger holds:
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• What to look for:
• Cracks in indoor shot casings
• Cracks usually start radiating out from the fill hole.
• Some cracks are in the process of growing; others are
already big enough to leak out the lead pellets
• A cracked indoor shot casing is beyond end-of-life and
should be permanently impounded
• Protruding fill hole plug
Shot overview (con’t)
Cracks in shot casings are not repairable. They will
eventually open wide enough to leak out all the lead pellets.
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• What to look for:
• Soft indoor shot shell
• Plastic shells generally are acceptable
• Rubber shells generally deform and fail the rule
Shot overview (con’t)
NCAA Rule 10-7-1: The shot must be spherical and unalterable in shape, and the
surface must be smooth so that an advantage is not gained by grip.
USATF Rule 221.5: The indoor shot must not allow that indentations in the surface be
created to improve a grip.
These shots are not legal for NCAA or USATF use:
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• Minimum weight*• Boys (HS): 1.6 kg• Men (19-49): 2.0 kg• Girls (HS): 1.0 kg• Women (19-49): 1.0 kg
• Construction:• Wood, plastic, composite or metal body
• Rubber discus is ONLY allowed in HS competition
• Metal rim; must be smooth• Body must have no indentations, breakage or sharp edges• Cross-section must be symmetrical• All parts must be flush with each other
Discus overview
* See “Implement Weight vs. Age Charts” file for other sizes of discuses.
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• What to look for:
• Rubber discus in non-high school competition
Discus overview (con’t)
Impound all rubber discuses for non-HS competition
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• What to look for:
• Rough, nicked, gouged, cracked or non-smooth rim, which could
enhance the thrower’s grip of the discus
Discus overview (con’t)
These images are extreme
examples of gouged or nicked
surfaces. A discus with a fine,
sandpaper-like surface should
also be disqualified.
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• What to look for:
• Side plates or center plates that are not assembled flush
Discus overview (con’t)
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• What to look for:
• Cracked or broken side plates
• Stripped or loose fasteners which might cause the discus to
come apart
Discus overview (con’t)
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• What to look for:
• Cracked or broken rim
Discus overview (con’t)
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Javelin overview• Minimum weight*
• Boys (HS): 800 g• Men (19-49): 800 g• Girls (HS): 600 g• Women (19-49): 600 g
• Construction:• Metal or other suitable shaft
• Smooth & circular; no grooves, ridges or roughness
• Metal head• Terminates in a sharp point
• Some HS associations require rubber tips
• Grip cord• Non-slip surface is OK, but no notches or indentations
• Can not be loose or taped
• The entire javelin must be a fixed, integrated whole• No internal movement is allowed
• Must balance somewhere within the length of the grip cord
* See “Implement Weight vs. Age Charts” file for other sizes of javelins.
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Javelin overview (con’t)
• What to look for:
• Grip cord unraveling
• Tape applied to grip cord
Covering the grip cord with tape, either partially or completely, is not legal.
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Javelin overview (con’t)
• What to look for:
• Internal movement can be heard or detected
• Rubber tip damaged or missing (where rubber tips are required):
Impound any javelin with a missing
or damaged rubber tip(in those jurisdictions where rubber tips are required)
This javelin has a regular (pointed)
metal head, with a rubber tip that has
been forced on. This is not legal.
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Javelin overview (con’t)
• What to look for:
• Does not balance on grip cord
This javelin
balances on
its grip cord
= Legal
This javelin
does not
balance on
its grip cord
= Illegal
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Mini Javelin overview
• Minimum weight• 300 g• applies to boys & girls for USATF Youth and Junior Olympics competition (11-12 Division & under)
• Construction:• Plastic shaft, grip and fins• 4 fins are required• Rubber head• The entire javelin must be a fixed, integrated whole
• No internal movement is allowed
• Must balance somewhere within the length of the grip
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Mini Javelin overview (con’t)
• What to look for:
• Alternate plastic javelins that do not comply with the specifications
The above example has three fins and several of its dimensions do not
comply with the specs. Although it is made by the same company as
the mini javelin, it is not a suitable substitute.
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• Minimum required weight*• Boys (HS): 12 lb• Men (19-49): 7.260 kg• Girls (HS): 4 kg• Women (19-49): 4 kg
• Construction: • Metal head, not softer than brass
• Typical materials are cast iron, brass, steel, stainless steel
• No inner movement is allowed in the head• Shape of head must be spherical• The wire can be bent, but not kinked• The handle must be symmetrical, without any moving parts• The swivel lug must not be cracked or otherwise damaged
Hammer overview
* See “Implement Weight vs. Age Charts” file for other sizes of hammers.
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• What to look for:• Cracked or severely dented head
Hammer overview (con’t)
A cracked head can be leaking
fill material. Small dimples or
dents are ok, large ones are
not.
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• What to look for:• Inner movement can be heard or detected in the head• Notable erosion of the head, particularly on the bottom:
Hammer overview (con’t)
This hammer was
severely underweight
due to excess erosion
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• What to look for:• Cracked or damaged swivel lug
Hammer overview (con’t)
Hammers with damaged lugs must be impounded
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• What to look for:• A kink that can be seen or felt on the wire• Broken wire• Small weights taped to the wire
Hammer overview (con’t)
A kinked wire should be impounded (curled wire is OK)
Small, added weights are easily removed during competition and suggest the hammer is underweight. Impound the hammer.
The break in this wire was initially concealed by athletic tape.
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• What to look for:• Dented, non-symmetrical handle• Damaged grip or brace• A handle with a loose joint between the grip and brace
Hammer overview (con’t)
Loose joint
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• Minimum required weight*• Boys (HS): 25 lb • Men (19-49): 35 lb• Girls (HS): 20 lb• Women (19-49): 20 lb
• Construction: • Metal head, not softer than brass (outdoors)
• Typical materials are cast iron, brass, steel, stainless steel
• Shape of head must be spherical
• Triangular handle
• Hammer handles not allowed in NCAA & USATF competition
• See rule books for handle dimension requirements
• Handle-to-head connection varies by rule book
Weight overview
* See “Implement Weight vs. Age Charts” file for other sizes of weights.
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• What to look for:• Eroded head which could be underweight
Weight overview (con’t)
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• What to look for:• Missing parts
Weight overview (con’t)
A missing plug
from this weight
disqualifies the
implement
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• What to look for:• Harness fasteners which are loose
Weight overview (con’t)
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• What to look for:• Damaged or broken handle, harness or links• Non-spherical head
Weight overview (con’t)
The break in this handle was
covered by athletic tape
This indoor head has a
permanent flat spot, which
unfairly extends its CG
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• What to look for:• Indoor weights with coins or washers taped to the head
Weight overview (con’t)
These coins were added by an athlete
to ensure the implement weighed in
properly. However, they came loose &
flew out during a throw. Impound the
implement.
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Weight overview (con’t)
• What to look for:
• Cracks in indoor weight shells
• Cracks usually start radiating out from the fill hole.
• Some cracks are in the process of growing; others are already
big enough to leak out the lead pellets
• A cracked indoor weight shell is beyond end-of-life and should be
permanently impounded
• Protruding fill hole plug
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• What to look for:• Hammer handle (must be triangular metal-rod)• More than 2 chain links for outdoor weights
Weight overview (con’t)
These are European-style
throwing weights; not legal
under USATF or NCAA rules
due to the hammer handle
(but OK under WMA rules)Scottish Highlands weight; not
legal for any T&F event
3 chain links –
not legal for NCAA
or USATF
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• 2007 KingCo 3A/4A league meet: 3x 8 lb shots
• 2007 SeaKing 3A/4A district meet: 1x 8 lb shot
• 2008 KingCo 3A/4A league meet: 2x 8 lb shots
• 2008 SeaKing 2B/3A/4A district meet: 2x 8 lb shots
• 2009 UW indoor season: 1x 8 lb shot (women), 1x 15 lb shot (men)
• 2010 UW indoor season: 2x 8 lb shots
• 2010 MPSF (collegiate) indoor championships: 1x 8 lb shot
• 2010 KingCo 3A/4A league meet: 2x 8 lb shots
• 2010 2A/3A/4A State meet: 1x 8 lb shot
Examples of implements impounded during
past meets in the PNW
There are countless stories about illegal implements that are brought to track
meets. Among the worst examples are the improperly-sized implements,
such as the attempted use of an 8 lb shot when the 4 kg shot is required.
This is a compilation of such examples by one inspector:
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Examples of implements impounded (cont)
• 2011 UW indoor season: 1x 3 kg shot (women)
• 2011 MPSF (collegiate) indoor championships: 1x 15 lb shot (men)
• 2011 PLU Invitational: 1x 8 lb shot
• 2011 Birger Solberg (Sehome HS) Invitational: 3x 8 lb shots
• 2011 Bellevue HS Invitational: 1x 8 lb shot, 1x 3 kg shot
• 2011 KingCo 3A/4A league meet: 1x 8 lb shot
• 2011 2A/3A SPSL sub-district meet: 3x 8 lb shots
• 2011 SeaKing 2B/3A district meet: 2x 8 lb shots
• 2011 2A/3A/4A HS State meet: 2x 8 lb shots
• 2011 2A/3A/4A HS State meet: one severely underweight boys shot (11.4 lb)
• 2012 Kent-Meridian HS Invitational: 7x 8 lb shots
• 2012 NWC Conference meet (@ PLU): 1x 3 kg shot (women)
• 2012 KingCo 3A/4A league meet: 1x 8 lb shot
• 2012 2A/3A SPSL sub-district meet: 4x 8 lb shots
• 2012 SeaKing 2B/3A district meet: 4x 8 lb shots
• 2012 2A/3A/4A HS State meet: 2x 8 lb shots
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Note: This is a count of only incorrect shot sizes; does not include
all other types of impounds.
Examples of implements impounded (cont)
• 2013 KingCo 3A/4A league meet: 1x 8 lb shot
• 2013 2A/3A/4A HS State meet: 2x 8 lb shots
• 2013 South Puget Sound Track Festival (Youth meet): 2x 8 lb shots
• 2013 PNTF Junior Olympics: 1x 8 lb shot
• 2014 Bedlington Invitational (Lynden HS): 1x 8 lb shot
• 2014 KingCo 3A/4A league meet: 2x 8 lb shots (both brand new)
• 2014 SeaKing 2B/3A district meet: 1x 8 lb shots