I am telling you what the rule means. I coach in the state of Missouri. Athletes are competing when they are in the competition area. They are not competing when they are in the bleachers or the parking lot or their team camp.
Technically the games committee decides what constitutes the competition area. But generally it is the track/infield and then any field event areas that are outside the track.
No, you're telling me how the rule is applied, not what it means. How the rule is applied could be changed on a whim without changing the rule itself because the actual rule is ambiguous.
Again, why not just say what you mean when making a rule?
I am telling you what the rule means. I coach in the state of Missouri. Athletes are competing when they are in the competition area. They are not competing when they are in the bleachers or the parking lot or their team camp.
Technically the games committee decides what constitutes the competition area. But generally it is the track/infield and then any field event areas that are outside the track.
No, you're telling me how the rule is applied, not what it means. How the rule is applied could be changed on a whim without changing the rule itself because the actual rule is ambiguous.
Again, why not just say what you mean when making a rule?
NFHS rules state that a contestant officially becomes a competitor when they report to the clerk of the course or field event judge. NFHS rules also state that electronic devices may be used in unrestricted areas and that restricted areas are determined by the games committee. The manual linked above is the 2021 version. The current manual has been reworded slightly. It is essentially NFHS rule 2-3-8.
NCAA (and HS?) rules prohibit using any electronic devices (cell phones, headphones, etc.) in the competition area. This is for safety reasons (especially with the field events). As others have stated, there some benefits of paying attention to schedule announcements and communicating effectively with teammates and coaches. It's not a stretch to extend the "no phone" to time at practice or a meet. I would not be surprised if other sports had similar rules. If you are a reserve player on a basketball team who sits on the bench, should you be using your phone or following the game and supporting your teammates and being ready to play if there's a substitution?
Are basketball games 10 hours long? T&F is nothing like basketball this analogy is terrible.
No, you're telling me how the rule is applied, not what it means. How the rule is applied could be changed on a whim without changing the rule itself because the actual rule is ambiguous.
Again, why not just say what you mean when making a rule?
NFHS rules state that a contestant officially becomes a competitor when they report to the clerk of the course or field event judge. NFHS rules also state that electronic devices may be used in unrestricted areas and that restricted areas are determined by the games committee. The manual linked above is the 2021 version. The current manual has been reworded slightly. It is essentially NFHS rule 2-3-8.
The rule says that an individual cannot use their phone during competition, not that they cannot use their phone once they have become a competitor. Two different things. Any time a competition is occurring at all could be said to be "during competition" even if the individual using the phone is not involved in the competition.
I was about to post the same thing. NCAA Rule 14, Section 3, Article 2. It has been a rule for as long as I can remember.
A major issue is the ability to view photographs and video on the phone. Competitors are forbidden from looking at video while in the event area. For example, a coach or parent can video a high jumper from the audience on their cell phone and then send it to the jumpers cell phone. He can then view the video before his next jump. This is against the rules. The only way to ensure it does not happen is to completely eliminate the use of cell phones in the competition area.
Not sure if this is an active rule. I personally say a bunch of NCAA coaches this past weekend viewing throws videos during competition ( Georgia, Auburn, Penn State, Missouri) all at different meets.
Not sure if this is an active rule. I personally say a bunch of NCAA coaches this past weekend viewing throws videos during competition ( Georgia, Auburn, Penn State, Missouri) all at different meets.
Rule 14, Section 3, Article 2
During competition, only coaches may use smart phones and portable computers (e.g., iPads, tablets, etc.) for purposes of video review in field events and for timing in track events. Coaches, athletes, competitors and officials shall not use video or audio communication devices [e.g., radio transmitters or receivers, mobile phones, smart watches, computers, unmanned aerial systems (e.g., drones) or any similar devices in the competition area] except as authorized by the games committee for meet administration.
NFHS rules state that a contestant officially becomes a competitor when they report to the clerk of the course or field event judge. NFHS rules also state that electronic devices may be used in unrestricted areas and that restricted areas are determined by the games committee. The manual linked above is the 2021 version. The current manual has been reworded slightly. It is essentially NFHS rule 2-3-8.
The rule says that an individual cannot use their phone during competition, not that they cannot use their phone once they have become a competitor. Two different things. Any time a competition is occurring at all could be said to be "during competition" even if the individual using the phone is not involved in the competition.
The rule says that an individual cannot use their phone during competition, not that they cannot use their phone once they have become a competitor. Two different things. Any time a competition is occurring at all could be said to be "during competition" even if the individual using the phone is not involved in the competition.
Why does that rule exist? What advantage could possibly be earned while looking at your phone in the bleachers? I'm at a loss.
As a cross-country and track coach I have a team rule of "no phones" with the exception of communicating with parents. Until that rule we had athletes sit in the team camp on their phone all day without interacting with teammates, watching the meet, warming-up/cooling-down properly, etc. Our team dynamics improved greatly since that rule. but it has nothing to do with the MHSAA rule in question.
Its fine to have a no phone rule during practice though I prefer they have them running long runs etc. But more than that? Sitting around at meets for hours? LOL come on.
One local school basically had a mutiny that resulted in a new coach. The old coach was treating athletes like 3rd graders and had so many rules (incl no phones) that the team just said f-this.
The same rule is in Florida and it's a good thing. The athletes need to concentrate on the business at hand and cannot gain unfair advantages during competition. The extent to which it is enforced is another question.
This rule isn't about phones in bleachers. It prevents cell phones in the competition area so athletes are paying attention to what is going on around them and not causing accidents/injuries. There is no reason to have a cell phone when you are competing or warming up in the competition area.
Why does that rule exist? What advantage could possibly be earned while looking at your phone in the bleachers? I'm at a loss.
I'll give one answer as though this is a serious question.
It is likely so field event athletes are not looking at an attempt mid-competition, either alone or with their coach. Accurate or not, having access to something like a phone, that may/may not be available to everyone, is illegal.
As a cross-country and track coach I have a team rule of "no phones" with the exception of communicating with parents. Until that rule we had athletes sit in the team camp on their phone all day without interacting with teammates, watching the meet, warming-up/cooling-down properly, etc. Our team dynamics improved greatly since that rule. but it has nothing to do with the MHSAA rule in question.
As a coach, I like kids having phones.
I've rarely gone to meets where throws are in some sort of convient area. Kids generally want to cheer on there teamates and will go over when their teamates are in a flight. Having someone text the group when to come over is good, plus being able to text them if the meet runs ahead or behind schedule, so they can warm up on time.
I don't think the phones reduce social interaction for the most part. Kids often are following other meets live results and talking to each other about how their rivals are doing, updating strava, planning meetups with kids from other teams etc.