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 element of the coach's knowlege.

Running events

At the Track

Athletes wearing appropriate clothing and shoes - jewellery removed or protected (studs)
Instill 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
- on completion of a run move out of the inside lanes
Be conscious that grass and synthetic surfaces become slippery in wet conditions
The infield is generally the only provision for throws training. Instill a habit of not crossing the infield to get from one side of the track to the other - even when throwing is not taking place

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
Athletes wearing appropriate clothing and shoes

Hurdling

Athletes wearing appropriate clothing and shoes - jewellery removed or protected (studs)
Care should be taken to see that improvised equipment of the types used particularly with novices is safe
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

Athletes wearing appropriate clothing and shoes - jewellery removed or protected (studs)
In horizontal jumps see that:
- run up areas dry and clear of foreign objects
- 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
- all landing areas (high jump, pole vault) should be covered by a proper cover sheet. 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)
- elastic crossbars used in training lessen the risk of injury and improve confidence - ensure uprights do not topple if the athlete lands on the elastic crossbar
- do not use triangular crossbars 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
Throwing events
- Cage is safe and cage doors appropriately set
- Discus, Shot, Hammer throwing circles are dry and clear of foreign objects
- Javelin run up dry and clear of foreign objects
- Throwing implements fit for purpose
- Never stand in front of the thrower
- Never stand in the cage with a 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 or 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 appropriately. 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.

Page Reference

The reference for this page is:

MACKENZIE, B. (2000) Track and Field Safety [WWW] Available from: http://www.brianmac.co.uk/safety.htm [Accessed

Associated Pages

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