POLE VAULT

HANDBOOK

By: Jay Mañibo

 Pole Vault
A Brief History of Pole Vault
Though the exact origin of this
technology is not known yet, but it is
a well-known fact that in earlier times,
people used pole vault method to
cross big obstacles while crossing
rivers, drainage etc. Armies also used
this method to cross the long wall of
the enemy during the war time. In
1829 B.C, Pole Vault competition was
introduced for the first time in Irish
Tailteann Games.
In 1896, this sport was included in
modern Olympics as a popular track
and field event. With his victory in
1912, Harry Babcock gave US its fifth
consecutive pole vault win. In earlier
days, the materials used for pole
construction was tree limbs in the
form of large sticks. With the
evolution of new technology, now fiber
poles are being used extensively due
to good strength and flexibility.

Pole Vault Facility

Layout The pole vault facility includes
a runway, a box for inserting the pole,
two uprights with crossbar and a
landing area. It can be located either
outside the track, parallel to one of
the straights or within one of the
segments. When located outside the
track, it is usually constructed as a
symmetrical facility with one landing
area in the middle of two runways.
When located within a segment, it is
usually constructed with two parallel
runways with positions for landing
areas at each end.

Runway for pole vault with box edge of its end board lies on the 0-
line and at the same height. The 0-
The runway is a minimum of 40m long
line is marked by a white line, 0.01m
and is measured from beginning of the
wide which extends beyond the
runway to the 0- line. The runway is
outside edges of the uprights.
1.22m ± 0.01m wide. It is marked by
white lines 0.05m wide or broken lines Uprights
0.05m wide with a length of 0.1m and
The two uprights must be installed on
0.5m. At the end of the runway, the
horizontal bases, level with the 0- line,
box is mounted flush with the runway
such that each can be moved from the
and installed such that the top inside
0- line not less than 0.80m towards Landing mats
the landing area (eg on a built- in
The landing mats are the same as for
double rail) or in fixed sockets with
the high jump, except for the
movable cross bar supports. They are
dimensions. For major international
not less than 5.20m apart with
competitions, the landing area is a
approximately 0.10m between each
minimum of 6m long (excluding the
upright and the landing mat. The
front pieces), 6m wide and 0.80m
lower part of the uprights are covered
high. The front pieces must be at least
with appropriate padding to protect
2m long. The sides of the landing area
the athletes and their poles. The
nearest to the box are 0.10m- 0.15m
landing mats are recessed to take the
from the box and slope away from the
uprights and any horizontal bases.
box at an angle of approximately 45°.
For other competitions, the landing
area is not less than 5m.

Pole Vault - Equipments

Pole vault systems generally consist of
a jump mat or cushion, two jump
stands and a crossbar on the jump
stands that is skipped. The jumping
cushion rests on a slatted frame made
of wood or aluminum and has an
additional mat layer on the top, the
so-called wear mat, which protects the
core of the mat and thus extends its
lifespan. It protects the main blocks
from spike nails and can be replaced
inexpensively after long use. To
protect against wind and weather, the
pole-vaulting system is protected by a
rain cover when not in use and, at
best, by a mobile cover. The pole
vault also includes a so-called vault pole is inserted during the jump.
puncture box, into which the pole In addition, there are safety measures
such as cover rails for the stands, as other competitions the mat should not
well as mats on the left and right of be smaller than 5mx5m for safety
the puncture box. reasons. The mats must be at least
2m long for international
In international competitions, the mat
competitions, here too they should not
without a cushion must have at least
be less than 1.50m long for safety
the dimensions 6mx6mx0.80m, for
reasons.

P
ole Vault – Rules
Knowing the playing technology is of no use unless you are aware with the playing
rules.

The rules of this sport are made and governed by IAAF (International Association
for Athletic Federation). Now let’s learn about some important common rules.

General Rules
 On the scoring form, it is mandatory  After three consecutive failures in
to mention the weight of the athlete trial, the athlete is automatically
next to his name. removed from the tournament.

 At any particular height, maximum  After taking the first attempt, it is

three trials are allowed. advised to take second and third
consecutive attempts at the same
height.

Trial Time Limitation Rules

Trial time limitation rules are as follows:

 An athlete must perform within two minutes of calling his name.

 In case three competitors are there, a window gap of four minutes is allowed and
in case one is remaining, a max of six minutes of window gap can be allocated to
perform. In case there is a tie between two persons for a same height, then the
athlete having a smaller number of attempts is declared as winner.

Rules regarding Competitions

 No artificial weights or aid are allowed to be used in the competition.

 Using shoes that can give unfair advantage to an athlete is strictly prohibited.

 Unless there is a wound, no tapping is allowed on any part of the fingers.

However, tapping at the wrist is allowed.

References:

https://www.tutorialspoint.com/pole_vault/pole_vault_tutorial.pdf

https://www.kuebler-sport.com/athletics/jumping-disciplines/pole-vault-facilities/
HAMMER
THROW
HANDBOOK

By: Jay Mañibo

 HAMMER THROW
A Brief History of Hammer Throw
Traces of hammer throwing can be made into 18th century where the Tailteann
people used to showcase their talents in front of their kings by throwing heavy
stone or metallic materials being attached with a rope. Soon the culture was
developed and was transformed into a sport that was introduced in modern Olympic
Games in 1900.

Many people also believe that the origin of this sport is from the Scottish
independence war, where King Edward-I has prohibited the use of weaponry. As a
result of which this type of throwing was practiced by the army men in the late 13th
or 14th century. Till 1995 International Association of Athletic Federation (IAAF) did
not make any rectification to include women’s event in this category but finally in
2000 Summer Olympics, women made their debut in hammer throw and a year
after that it was also introduced in world championships.

Hammer Throw Court Dimensions

Layout 

The hammer throw facility includes a throwing

circle, a protective cage, and a landing sector.
It is usually combined with the facility for
discus throw.

Throwing circle
The circle for the hammer throw is slightly
smaller than the discus throw. The surface
finish to the concrete circle is slightly
smoother for hammer throwing than for
discus throwing. When a circle is used for
both discus and hammer throwing a
compromise finish is required.

Safety cage
Hammer and discus must only be thrown
from an enclosure or cage to ensure the
safety of spectators, officials, and athletes.
Cages specified in the manual are intended
for use in major stadia in high class
competition when the event takes place
outside the arena with spectators present or when the event takes place in the
arena and other events are taking place at the same time. Simpler and smaller
cages may be adequate for competition of lower standard and for well-regulated
training facilities.

Combined discus and hammer throw cage

Hammer Throw
equipment
The men's hammer weighs 7.257 kg and measures
121.5 cm in length; the women's hammer weighs 4 kg
and is 119.5 cm in length.

The hammer is composed of a ball (competition balls are made of

turned or stainless steel), a rotating (ball-bearing) swivel,
a hammer wire, and a handle, normally aluminium, which can
be straight or curved according to the thrower’s preferences.

                            

Essential equipment is also throwing

gloves, made of soft leather to allow for optimum grip,
and shoes. These need to be strong in the sole and sides
to sustain the thrower’s weight in the spin, with extra
strapping to hold the foot firm at the fore end and allow
for better motion control in the circle.
Hammer Throw – Rules
An athlete must abide by the following rules while performing in a Hammer Throw
competition:

 Before the starting of preliminary swinging, an athlete is allowed to put the head
of hammer either inside or outside the circle.

 It is not a foul if before the starting of preliminary swing, the thrower puts his
hammer on ground but if after preliminary swing, the head of the hammer touches
ground or the hammer is dropped by the athlete, then it will be counted as a foul.

 While being in the air, if the hammer breaks, then it will not be counted as foul,
provided the athlete has played under correct rules and regulations.

Rules about Hammer

A hammer consists of the following three parts: Metal head, Wire, and Grip.

 The head of the hammer should be made up of solid material like iron and it
should be spherical in shape. The diameter should be 110 mm for men and 95 mm
for women.

 Filling is allowed and should be done in such a manner that it will be immovable,
and the center of gravity will not be more than 6 mm from the center of the sphere.

 Wire that is going to be used over here will be single and unbroken type having a
minimum diameter of 3mm. It should not stretch more while being in air. The wire
can be lobbed to the either ends of the hammer.

References:

http://www.greatestsportingnation.com/content/hammer-throw-equipment

https://www.tutorialspoint.com/hammer_throw/hammer_throw_tutorial.pdf

https://www.dlgsc.wa.gov.au/sport-and-recreation/sports-dimensions-guide/athletics-throwing-events