Comment on the Rules

There seems to be a controversy about the application of the new pole vault rule on misses, as well as the old high jump rule on misses. They are the same:

While it is important for the official to know where the “plane” of the crossbar in the high jump, and the “zero” mark in the pole vault is located, it is so they can

identify when an athlete touches beyond that plane. The critical word is “touches”, if nothing touches, then there is no foul.

By the way – this makes all the field event rules consistent with each other:

high jump – touches beyond the plane of the crossbar

pole vault – touches beyond the plane of the zero mark

long jump – touches beyond the plane of the takeoff board (or the takeoff board extended)

shot – touches outside or on top of the ring or toeboard

discus – touches outside or on top of the ring

HJ - Rule 7-4 Art 16 (p. 55)

It is a foul if the competitor:

B. TOUCHES THE GROUND OR LANDING AREA BEYOND THE PLANE OF THE CROSSBAR OR THE CROSSBAR EXTENDED WITHOUT CLEARING THE BAR

PV - Rule 7-5, Art 29

Is is a foul if the competitor:

D. ALLOWS ANY PART OF HIS/HER BODY OR THE POLE TO TOUCH THE GROUND OR THE LANDING SYSTEM BEYOND THE VERTICAL PLANE OF THE TOP OF THE STOPBOARD, WITHOUT CLEARING THE BAR.

Click here for an example of what is NOT now a miss