Video recording athletes : illegal?

Is it illegal? That seems pretty ridiculous. Can anyone shed light on this? Videotaping technique is one of the most valuable tools for improving form.

I think everything you said is correct. Like you can video tape but not show the athletes.

USATF might not be as helpful as the T&F Rules Handbook specifically for just high school. There is a National version that gets updated each year. You probably can also find your specific state's rules online or in a similar handbook.

As far as I know, you can film but not how the athletes. The athletes are allowed no video feedback during competition, which is why they do not allow cell phones inside the track area for athletes. They were taking photos/video with their phones and showing eachother their form.

From the National Federationos State High School Association rules book for 2006:

"It is an unfair act when a competitor recieves any assistance from any other person. Assistance includes...g. A competitor views a videotape or any other visual reproduction of the competitor's performance prior to the completion of the competition."

As far as Ican tell you can record the performances, but the athlete can't watch them until after the event is over. You individual state regulations may heve more strict rules, but the aboce is what the NFHS books states.

CT_Runner wrote:

From the National Federationos State High School Association rules book for 2006:

"It is an unfair act when a competitor recieves any assistance from any other person. Assistance includes...g. A competitor views a videotape or any other visual reproduction of the competitor's performance prior to the completion of the competition."

As far as Ican tell you can record the performances, but the athlete can't watch them until after the event is over. You individual state regulations may heve more strict rules, but the aboce is what the NFHS books states.

This is true. Athletes can not watch video during the competition but video may be recorded for later use.

What is the "National Federationos State High School Association"? I've never even heard of it. Sounds like it's from Mexico. Why would any school be subject to such a body? Inter-school competitions are controlled on the state level not on a national level

As already stated, you can videotape them to show at practice the next day or whatever, but you cannot show them the tape during the competition. I would also be careful of your location during this taping. If you were on the field and close by that's probably why you head coach got concerned. Another coach could interpret that in a way as you giving assistance. If you were in the stands, well, that could be seen the same way but not as likely. Just keep a safe distance and I would avoid actual comments or remarks which could be construed as taken from what you observed on the tape.

It might be illegal to just video high school students without thier parents consent.

Snake wrote:

It might be illegal to just video high school students without thier parents consent.

I never even thought of that. I remember when I was doing my student teaching I had to video a lesson for my advisor to review. I had to get signed permission from every student's parent prior to filming. If any declined (none did), I would have had to position the camera in such a way that the particular student would not appear in the video.

So those Friday night football highlight shows are illegal?

2345 wrote:

As already stated, you can videotape them to show at practice the next day or whatever, but you cannot show them the tape during the competition. I would also be careful of your location during this taping. If you were on the field and close by that's probably why you head coach got concerned. Another coach could interpret that in a way as you giving assistance. If you were in the stands, well, that could be seen the same way but not as likely. Just keep a safe distance and I would avoid actual comments or remarks which could be construed as taken from what you observed on the tape.

As already asked, according to whom? Who is the "National Federationos State High School Association" and why would any high school care about their rules? What authority do they have over any high-school?

The National Federation writes the rule book. I know my state, but I would assume most or all of the others, choose to adopt it for their rules. State associations can make changes or additions.

So is it also against the rules for a coach to give their athlete advice during a meet? How is this different from video taping and showing the athlete? I don't understand this rule.

It is against the rules for a coach to coach his athlete from a restricted area (like on the field). They can freely coach from the stands but cannot show any video or photographs until the competition is over. If you read the rules book closely, a coach cannot even tell his athlete that he is ahead of pace or behind pace if he's in a resstricted area.

"it is against the rules" has it correct

I would guess there are potentially legal issues at play in some states and it could also depend on what the video is used for.

If a track meet is an event open to the public and the tape is not broadcast or used for making money, my guess is that you can video whatever you want.

I assumed that you were using the tape after the meet.

I was part of the video crew for the football team and we never had to get permission to video the other team. It could have been part of some agreement between the coaches since both teams did this. Cannot see how this would be any different.

If it were broadcast, then you would need permission unless it was "news".