No more false starts!

walshb

I have to say that this seems a little harsh. Okay, maybe for the 200 metres or 400 metres, but the 100 as well?:mad: I feel it's gonna' ruin some great races

http://www.rte.ie/sport/athletics/2009/0812/iaaf_falsestart.html

RJM22

What! That's not fair at all - the existing rule is perfect, why change it? No one has intentionally false started since the present rule has been in.

Next time I race then, I'll be unsporting and whisper 'go' at the set position!

This and that new lame indoor race bleep gun annoys me!

Rineanna

I'm in two minds about it.

One one hand, I do believe there were a few jokers out there who may have intentionally false started to un-nerve certain competitors or just because, I don't know, they have an itchy leg or something. :P

The other side of it then, as referred to above, we're going to see some great races spoiled. Sometimes people do genuinely false-start, reacting to a twitch beside them and what not. Imagine if it happened to Bolt/Gay in a race they were brought together especially for, or a championship final? Anti-climax. Tough pooh, some might say.

thirtyfoot

I like this rule. You should never break and anyone who does is taking a chance on a flyer.

The only issue may be when its a case of a false due to putting pressure on the block but then again that is probably seeking an advantage.

This was in force at European Team Champs and there was no false starts!!!

Its like having a 2nd serve in tennis, doesn't make sense.

You will very rarely see a favourite even break once and from club athletics to elite athletics there are serial breakers. This will stop this nonsense.

ecoli

I have a feeling that this will ultimately lower the standard of races as reaction times will be slower because of fear of getting disqualified. I am of the opinion that the rules in place worked fine have there been that many complaints? No

Flying Abruptly

Just wondering does false starts apply to middle distance and long distance races? Obviously they dont use blocks but I cant think of any races I've ever seen that have been false started...or anyone disqualified from one. Is it the same rules for md and sprints false starts? I've been competing for years and dont know

ecoli

Flying Abruptly wrote: »

Just wondering does false starts apply to middle distance and long distance races? Obviously they dont use blocks but I cant think of any races I've ever seen that have been false started...or anyone disqualified from one. Is it the same rules for md and sprints false starts? I've been competing for years and dont know

Yes they do however they are extremely rare as reaction time is not as crucial

walshb

Tingle wrote: »

The only issue may be when its a case of a false due to putting pressure on the block but then again that is probably seeking an advantage.

This is exactly why it's a bad idea. A false start is a false start and no excuses will
be allowed. The tiniest bit of pressure from even a wobble could see guys like Gay
and Bolt eliminated. I think the present rule is tough enough really. With this rule change it will be exactly like swimming.

http://condellpark.com/kd/reactiontime.htm

Fascinating read!

thirtyfoot

walshb wrote: »

This is exactly why it's a bad idea. A false start is a false start and no excuses will
be allowed. The tiniest bit of pressure from even a wobble could see guys like Gay
and Bolt eliminated. I think the present rule is tough enough really. With this rule change it will be exactly like swimming.

But why should you get a second chance if you are caught cheating. Its very simple. The human mind cannot react faster than 0.100 seconds so if you react faster than that it means you were trying to pre-empt the gun which is cheating. Twitches and the like are rare and someone moving in the blocks will usually be nerves or jitters so that in itself should be part of the game also in that you should be able to control yourself in that sense. Has there been many high profile DQ's in swimming, don't know as I don't follow it?

PS - I'll probably get DQed myself now with this new rule:D

Bambaata

walshb wrote: »

This is exactly why it's a bad idea. A false start is a false start and no excuses will
be allowed. The tiniest bit of pressure from even a wobble could see guys like Gay
and Bolt eliminated. I think the present rule is tough enough really. With this rule change it will be exactly like swimming.

http://condellpark.com/kd/reactiontime.htm

Fascinating read!

thats site came up as a Reported Attack Site in firefox??

Pherekydes

Good!

The rule, as it stands, makes no sense. One athlete can false start? Completely illogical and unfair.

As mentioned, this new rule has been in place in US collegiate competition for 30 years. It's fair; it's the same for all.

As for ruining good races? I disagree. The likes of Bolt, Powell and Gay are disciplined starters and will not be affected by it. The cheats will.

RealistSpy

Nice rule am happy.

RoyMcC

As I recall, there were grave doubts and objections when the present rules were introduced. However the athletes now accept the rule and there are precious few DQs.

I imagine this new rule will be quickly accepted by the athletes. I doubt that the IAAF have introduced this without knowing that the top echelon sprinters will accept the rule.

As Tingle touched on, all swimmers seem to be disciplined enough to go on the B of the buzzer - I can't ever remember a false start (though they must happen occasionally).

Just as long as they continue to use a 'light hand' where juvenile athletics is concerned.

runnnerrr

As a sprinter myself, I am delighted with the new rule as it is fair to everyone. Athletes will just have to discipline themselves that little bit more. I don't think that it will effect the level of performances at all. Athletes will be used to this anyway as they already have to be cautious but yet get a good start after there has been a false start.

Dr Watson

Thoughts on this?

http://berlin.iaaf.org/news/kind=101/newsid=52689.html

I personallly in favour at global and national senior level.

walshb

RoyMcC wrote: »

As I recall, there were grave doubts and objections when the present rules were introduced. However the athletes now accept the rule and there are precious few DQs.

I imagine this new rule will be quickly accepted by the athletes. I doubt that the IAAF have introduced this without knowing that the top echelon sprinters will accept the rule.

As Tingle touched on, all swimmers seem to be disciplined enough to go on the B of the buzzer - I can't ever remember a false start (though they must happen occasionally).

Just as long as they continue to use a 'light hand' where juvenile athletics is concerned.

There have been very few false starts at the top in swimming; but I have seen some and usually only in the 50 and 100 events, which is understandable.

Even the great Carl Lewis was on a false start in the 1991 WC final, and he was known as a sprinter who 'never' false started.

RoyMcC

It will put even more of an onus on the start officials. Every Starter wants to see clean starts and no DQs. From what I've seen in Ireland we are lucky enough to have excellent Starters. Do the athletes on here agree?

walshb

Just think, and I know it's hypothetical, but can you imagine the frustration
of the crowd and fans had the no false start rule been in last night.

Bolt never makes the final and we are deprived of one of sports greatest ever moments

I really dislike this rule. Guys are training all their lives and for 100
metres, where the start is so crucial, and the authorities are potentially
ruining possible great moments in sport.

Now, I know some false start deliberately, but Bolt didn't last night and many
do not deliberately do it. It's so high drama and tension and adrenalin, that
it almost goes against the human nature of the sport to implement this.

thirtyfoot

walshb wrote: »

Just think, and I know it's hypothetical, but can you imagine the frustration
of the crowd and fans had the no false start rule been in last night.

Bolt never makes the final and we are deprived of one of sports greatest ever moments

I really dislike this rule. Guys are training all their lives and for 100
metres, where the start is so crucial, and the authorities are potentially
ruining possible great moments in sport.

Now, I know some false start deliberately, but Bolt didn't last night and many
do not deliberately do it. It's so high drama and tension and adrenalin, that
it almost goes against the human nature of the sport to implement this.

I could be wrong, but I'd argue that if the no false rule was in last night, Bolt wouldn't have faulted, especially in a semi when all he had to do was run withing 0.4 of his best to qualify, no chance.

Its a good rule, like the back pass in football despite Alan Hansen's protestations at the time.

Jackie_Dazzler

thats the leevale lads done for!