Track & Field Safety

Although without the same potential of injury that can be received in such sports as soccer, rugby or boxing, athletics nevertheless does present situations from which injury can result. Knowledge of these, and how to avoid them, is an important part of the coach's skill.

Running events

At the Track

  • lnstil good lane discipline into your athletes
    • warm up only in the outer lanes
    • observe local 'fast lane' arrangements
    • do not hold 'conferences' on the track
    • be always considerate of the needs of other track users
  • Be conscious that grass and synthetic surfaces become slippery in wet conditions. Caution should be exercised in the management of hurdles and high jump training in particular
  • The infield is generally the only provision for throws training. Even if it is not used for such at your own track, you are teaching dangerous habits if you permit your athletes to cross it in an undisciplined manner. These habits can lead to fatalities when they go to tracks where throwers commonly use the infield. Safety in these areas is the responsibility of thrower and runners, and their coaches alike. Don't be negligent in this respect

Running away from the Track

  • Roads are made for the use of vehicles; therefore, runners should avoid running on them where possible. Where there are footpaths runners should be encouraged to use them, unless they are frequently interrupted by road intersections or by their worn state or/plus fatigue makes foot and ankle injuries a probability
  • Roads are hard surfaces, which increases the likelihood of stress problems. Keep a careful cheek on your athletes when high mileages and speed work is programmed
  • Athletes should run facing the oncoming traffic, even when running on pavements
  • Runners should be seen - especially at night by wearing light, bright or reflective clothing. Even in daylight with a low, bright sun from behind, the driver's vision is often impaired

Hurdling

  • Care should be taken to see that improvised equipment of the types used particularly with novices is reasonably safe
  • The ends of canes can damage eyes if not protected by a cork or some similar device
  • Elasticated hurdle bars are capable of catapulting the hurdle some distance if bit hard by the athlete
  • Hurdle top bar should be secure
  • They should be correctly placed relative to their use with the counter-balance weights also relatively correctly positioned
  • Hurdles should NEVER be crossed in the wrong direction (i.e. from the landing side)

Field Events

  • all landing areas should preferably be covered by a proper cover sheet
  • Their size and density should be adequate for the use to which they are being put (i.e. heavier jumpers and those landing from greater heights require thickest protection, whilst those of inconsistent or long flight parabolas require greatest area)
  • The position of take-off in high jump determines the point of landing. It should be close to the nearer upright
  • Elastic crossbars used in training lessen the risk of injury and improve confidence
  • Triangular crossbars are dangerous for 'floppers'
  • Fibre-glass vaulting poles break if misused, therefore always protect the distant end with a proper pole 'bung', hold it correctly, i.e. with the outside of its natural bend top-left (at 11 o'clock or 300°) in the plant position. Avoid dropping it (arrange for people to catch it after the vault). Do not leave it lying about outside its tube for people to step on. Always use a pole of the correct strength, according to the weight of athlete using it and the amount of force that he can put into it. A pole bending more than 90° is being overstressed. Do not use a fibre-glass pole where there is an old fashioned box with a vertical back
  • In horizontal jumps see that:
    • no-jump indicator board recesses are safely blocked out
    • athletes' footwear and protection are adequate
    • platforms for skill work are large enough and strong enough for their purpose
    • other athletes do not encroach onto the runway when in use
  • Throwing events
    • NEVER stand in front of the thrower
    • NEVER throw towards anyone - therefore the thrower MUST look to ensure that the landing area is clear BEFORE throwing
    • NEVER run with a javelin, nor run to collect it
    • NEVER collect the implement until ALL have thrown, then collect together
    • ALWAYS carry javelins vertically, point down in front of you
    • ALWAYS push the javelin into a vertical position, then pull it vertically from the ground

Coaches should additionally ensure that implements are well maintained and stored (particular care needs to be taken to see that hammers are hung on hooks and that spindles are kept free and oiled). Ensure also that the cages, surfaces and rims of throwing circles are safe.

Where possible throwing areas should be roped off so that others cannot encroach.

Associated Pages

The following Sports Coach pages should be read in conjunction with this page:

Associated Books

The following books provide more information related to this topic:

  • The Successful Coach, P. Crisfield et al., ISBN 0 947850 16 3
  • USA Track and Field Coaching Manual, J.L. Rogers, ISBN0 88011 604 8
  • Strength Training for Coaches, B. Pauletto, ISBN 0 88011 371 5
  • Mental Skills - An Introduction for Sports Coaches, C. Sellars, ISBN 0 947850 34 1
  • Advanced Studies in Physical Education and Sport, P Beashel et al., ISBN 0 17 4482345
  • Physical Education and the Study of Sport, B. Davis et al., ISBN 0 7234 31752
  • Essentials of Exercise Physiology, W.D. McArdle et al., ISBN 0 683 30507 7
  • Physical Education and Sport Studies, D. Roscoe et al., ISBN 1 901424 20 0
  • The World of Sport Examined, P. Beashel et al., ISBN 0 17 438719 9
  • Advanced PE for Edexcel, F. Galligan et al., ISBN 0 435 50643 9
  • Examining Physical Education, K. Bizley, ISBN 0 435 50660 9
  • Sport and PE, K Wesson et al., ISBN 0 340 683821
  • PE for you, J. Honeybourne, ISBN 0 7487 3277 2