CAN WE SANITIZE Track and Field

[Bruce Caldwell]

CAN WE SANITIZE Track and Field
There was a most recent suggestion to:
Ban the FLOP style and add helmets to the High Jump event.
The reason was 2 accidents of athletes falling off the side of the High Jump system.

As I pondered this notion I realize we cannot SANITIZE track and field
If we did we would have to add helmets;

1. To the long jump and triple jump for those who miss the pit.
2. To the Shot put for Officials.
3. To the Hammer, Javelin, and Discus events area for spectators in the stands and Officials in the throwing areas.
4. To Hurdlers to protect them from flying hurdles.
5. To the Steeplechase event for the water jump.

Where do we draw the line between making an event safe or are we just trying to protect those who do not take responsibility for the risks involved in each event?

We cannot IDIOT PROOF Track and Field events.
We can only educate people the risks involved and how to practice the events safely.
I personally feel that the best answer is MORE camps, Books, Videos, DVD’s, more Forums and Interaction with coaches and athletes to provide the most up to date education available.

BRUCE CALDWELL NON HIGH JUMP expert

[Lord of the Poles]

This is why I'm making a pole vault manual, to try to help with that.

[Scott Go Pre]

3. To the Hammer, Javelin, and Discus events area for spectators in the stands and Officials in the throwing areas.

I think the officals would need some body suits to keep them from getting hit with the hammer, javelin, or discus. I have seen all three hit an offical at different meets.

[vaulterpunk]

Yeah there is a freshmen here at ISU that told me he wouldn't jump with out a helmet and at first i thought that maybe he just feels safe wearing one or whatever and respected him for it. Later i found out it was because he had landed in the box something like at least three or four times a year when he was in high school. Thank God his technique has improved since he has been here and i think whoever his high school coach was should be slapped in the face and never aloud to coach again. Who would allow a kid to land in the box that many times with out trying to make an adjustment or making him do some more drills or something

[mdavis2685]

remember in i think an olympics maybe 96 or 2000 when the official was hit with the javelin?

[Scott Go Pre]

remember in i think an olympics maybe 96 or 2000 when the official was hit with the javelin?

That seemed funny, but I bet that it hurt like anything.