Memorandum
To:
Track and Field Administrators
From:
Becky Oakes
Subject:
Rule Clarifications
Date:
March 18, 2010
________________________________________________________________________
The outdoor track and field season is
underway. Several states have had questions regarding the legality of a
“five-finger shoe,” printing on arm warmers and pole ratings on older models of
Altius poles. The following interpretations are provided for your assistance
should you need to respond to any of the above listed items.
1.
Five-finger shoes: This shoe is non-traditional
but is becoming popular for distance runners. It is a product which has a
sole, a fitting for each toe, a soft upper, no laces, but for most models a
strap which goes over the top of the foot to fasten the shoe. Under NFHS
Track and Field Rule 4-3-1, this shoe style is legal. These shoes must be
designed to be securely fastened to the foot. This shoe is legal if
all requirements in 4-3-1 are met, unless restricted by state association
policy. The following link will take you to a site to view some
five-finger shoes. http://www.google.com/products?q=five+finger+shoes&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla
2.
Arm warmers displaying a school name and/or
manufacturer’s name: Arm warmers are not considered a part of the
official school uniform. Likewise, these items are not considered a
visible undergarment. Therefore, there is no restriction on color, size
or placement of a school name or mascot. There is no restriction on a
manufacturer’s name/logo/trademark or reference in regard to size or placement
on these items. These items are legal with no restrictions on
logo/printing size and location unless restricted by state association policy.
3.
Altius poles: Older models of Altius poles did
not display the weight rating for the pole in the form of a label, but rather
through an engraving of the ¾ inch size, proper location and appeared in
contrasting color according to Rule 7-5-3. As these poles have been used
in practice and competition, some have lost the contrasting color of the weight
rating. No pole by any manufacturer is “grandfathered” to not meet all
requirements in Rule 7-5-3. It is the responsibility of the manufacturer
and school to address the official process of the manufacturer to validate the
replacement of the weight rating should it become worn and no longer visible in
a contrasting color, as required by rule.
Missouri does not have restrictions on these policies.
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