Moving in the blocks

Mr_Curious

Hi - I've tried to download the rules from the IAAF website but it keeps failing so I thought you guys here on Boards.ie might help.

I would like to know what is the rule regarding Moving in the Blocks before the gun goes off in the sprint events. Can you move your body at all once in the 'Get Set' point of the start? Is it just your feet that shouldn't move?

Any help appreciated. Thanks

Pherekydes

I understand that you cannot move any part of your body once you reach your final set position. Here's the relevant rule. Part 6 is the applicable piece.

RULE 162
The Start
1. The start of a race shall be denoted by a white line 5cm wide. In all
races not run in lanes the start line shall be curved, so that all the
runners start the same distance from the finish.
2. All races shall be started by the report of the Starter's gun or
approved starting apparatus fired upwards after he has ascertained
that competitors are steady and in the correct starting position.
3. At all international meetings, the commands of the Starter in his
own language shall, in races up to and including 400m (including
4x200m and 4x400m), be "On your marks", "Set", and when all
competitors are "Set", the gun shall be fired, or approved starting
apparatus activated.
In races longer than 400m, the commands shall be "On your marks"
and when all competitors are steady, the gun shall be fired, or
approved starting apparatus activated. A competitor shall not touch
the ground with his hand or hands.
4. If for any reason the Starter is not satisfied that all is ready for the
start to proceed after the competitors are on their marks, he shall
order all competitors to withdraw from their marks and the Starter's
Assistants shall place them on the assembly line again.
In all races up to and including 400m (including the first leg of the
4x200m and 4x400m), a crouch start and the use of starting blocks
are compulsory.
After the "On your marks" command, the competitor shall approach
the start line, assume a position completely within his allocated lane
and behind the start line. Both hands and one knee shall be in
contact with the ground and both feet in contact with the starting
blocks. At the "Set" command, the competitor should immediately
rise to his final starting position retaining the contact of the hands
with the ground and of the feet with the foot plates of the blocks.
A competitor shall not touch either the start line or the ground in
front of it with his hands or his feet when on his marks.
5. On the command "On your marks" or "Set", as the case may be, all
competitors shall at once and without delay assume their full and
final set position.
Failure to comply with this command after a reasonable time shall
constitute a false start.
If a competitor after the command "On your marks" disturbs the
other competitors in the race through sound or otherwise, it may be
considered a false start.
6. If a competitor commences his starting motion after assuming his
full and final set position, and before the report of the gun, or
approved starting apparatus, it shall be a false start.

robinph

All that lot and it was only the last point that is related to the actual "set" position.

I guess blinking is allowed, but other than that no. Probably wouldn't take much more than that to be noticed by the block sensors anyway, and any kind of movement that doesn't even get picked up by the blocks, could get noticed by those in the lanes next door and trigger them to move.

Mr_Curious

Thanks Pherekydes and Robinph - That was quick!

So if the blocks dont pick up movement for 'what ever reason whether' - but the person is actually moving in the blocks enough to disturd others - can the starter still call a fault?

Pherekydes

Mr_Curious wrote: »

So if the blocks dont pick up movement for 'what ever reason whether' - but the person is actually moving in the blocks enough to disturd others - can the starter still call a fault?

Absolutely.

Brianderunner

Jon Drummond in Paris World Champs in 2003, 100m quarter final, classic example of moving in the blocks before the gun.