track & field

• Track events


  Events done on a track which measures 400 meters
• Field events


  Events that are done on the field
• Track and field


  Events that are done both on the track and field
• Track events


  • Sprints - 100meters, 200meters, 400meters
  • Middle Distance Races -800meters and 1500meters
  • Long Distance Races- 3000meters, 5000meters, 10,000meters and marathon
  • Hurdles- 110h meters (for men only) ,100 meters (for women only) and 400meters (for both men and women)
  • Relays- 4X100meters, 4X200meters, 4X400meters, 4X800meters, sprint medley and distance medley and Mix Relay (male and female run in the same race-together)
  • Race Walk - 10km, 20km, 50km (commonly conducted on open roads)
  • Steeplechase (3000meters) - this involves a water jump and a barrier
• Field events


  • Throwing events
  • Jumping events
• Throwing events


  Take place from within a prescribed area and the implement must fall within a defined sector for it to be legal
• Shot put


  Takes place from within a 2.135 m circle and the shot must fall inside a 40o sector which starts from the center of the circle. After executing the shot, you must leave the area from the back half of the circle.
• Throwing events


  • Shot put
  • Discus
  • Javelin
  • Hammer
• Holding the shot


  Hold the shot with the pads of your fingers, do not let it rest flat against your palm. Remember the phrases "dirty fingers" and "clean palm".
• Jumping events


  • High jump
  • Long jump
  • Triple jump
  • Pole vault
• Long jump


  A competitive event in which athletes jump as far as possible along the ground and land in a sand pit in one leap
• Triple jump


  An athletic event in which athletes attempt to jump as far as possible by performing a hop, a step and a jump from a running start, into a sand pit
• High jump


  An athletic event in which athletes jump high over a bar which is raised until only one competitor can jump it without dislodging it
• Pole vault


  An athletic event in which competitors attempt to vault over a high bar with the aid of an extremely long flexible pole
• Starting a race


  • Crouch start
  • Standing start
• Crouch start


  Used for all sprint events
• Standing start


  Used for all middle and long-distance events
• Commands for starts


  • Sprints - On your marks, Set, Go
  • Middle and Long Distance Races - On your marks, Go
• Phases of sprints


  • Drive
  • Acceleration
  • Finish