In the infield and completion areas. This includes all watches.
What’s the point? What do they think they are trying to prevent?
In the infield and completion areas. This includes all watches.
What’s the point? What do they think they are trying to prevent?
coachy wrote:
In the infield and completion areas. This includes all watches.
What’s the point? What do they think they are trying to prevent?
Watches is excessive. However electronics I can agree with. I've seen some nasty things happen to people at track meets who weren't paying attention for one reason or another.
Either way, major meets have already had this rule in place for literally as long as I can remember, and it won't be enforced at smaller meets so I don't see what the big deal is.
Infield and completion area watch bans are primarily designed to prevent illicit communication and data theft. By restricting smartwatches, organizations aim to stop the real-time transmission of sensitive technical data or strategic "signals" that could provide an unfair competitive advantage.
Hasnt this always been the rule? Their stated reasoning:
"4-6-6c: The rule clarifies that athletes are not permitted to wear any audio or video recording or transmitting devices during a race, trial, or while in restricted areas. This restriction minimizes potential distractions and interference with performance. This language is consistent with policies found in other NFHS rules books and reinforces a uniform standard across interscholastic sports."
coachy wrote:
In the infield and completion areas. This includes all watches.
What’s the point? What do they think they are trying to prevent?
So they banned FAT systems? This will be a fun track season.
Link?
Per Rule 4-6-6, electronic devices can only be used in unrestricted areas. This rule applies to coaches and managers recording performances for review and instructional purposes, but also to athletes. Use of headphones, cell phones and other devices are prohibited by competitors in restricted areas. Athletes using an electronic device while crossing the track or approaching a field event venue may be distracted and unaware of their surroundings which increases the risk not only to themselves and others.
Coaching from a restricted area is considered assistance under Rule 4-6-5, which results in the coach’s athlete being disqualified from the event. Coaches wandering from a designated coaching box into a restricted area of the facility can interfere with the competition and expose themselves to risk.
The games committee must make clear designations of restricted and unrestricted areas, communicate them effectively to all and enforce them consistently throughout the meet. This proactive approach promotes safety and fairness.
https://nfhs.org/resources/sports/track-field-points-of-emphasis-2026
It doesn't spell out watches but I know how our officials will enforce it because they love the power to DQ kids. They will read the first line and say all electronic devices includes watches which is not the intent.
No change. This has always been the case. Restricted areas don't typically mean the infield. I was at a meet last week. 1000 athletes were in the infield and hundreds of fans were in bleachers in the infield.
coach stan wrote:
No change. This has always been the case. Restricted areas don't typically mean the infield. I was at a meet last week. 1000 athletes were in the infield and hundreds of fans were in bleachers in the infield.
Point of emphasis for 2026.
But you started a thread with an incorrect title and information.
The thing that I see all of the time in high school meets are runners that start to slow down ten meters before the finish to stop their watch. It creates a risk of collision and has caused some collisions with runners kicking from behind plus, at big invites, it delays results because Strava King obscures his bib number from the finish camera.
Don't worry, King! You will still get your kudos!
coach stan wrote:
But you started a thread with an incorrect title and information.
I guess I did, thanks for pointing that out. I have no problems admitting that I made a mistake. The change for 2026 is not the rule but the emphasis on the rule.
In my 30+ years involved with the sport I have never seen an incident at any High School meet caused by electronics. I have yet to hear of a coach communicating with their athlete while in a race. I have not seen anyone win a race because their watch told them how to do it.
Does anyone have a first hand account of a problem they have encountered with electronics that caused a safety issue or an unfair advantage?
I have seen athletes and coaches get in trouble during field events at the state meet. One coach is permitted in the restricted area but they have been caught communicating with other coaches in the stands.
Coaches communicating with other coaches is off limits? Never heard that one before.
Yes. That is literally the intent of the rule. One coach is permitted inn the restricted area and they are not allowed to use communication devices.
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