Rulebook

Proposal 75: Relay (Track) - takeover zone [ Revision 5 ]

Committee: Track
Submitted on 2019-05-22
Status: Passed on June 10, 2019

Background

Slightly more than a year ago (with the start of 2018) the IAAF (the International Association of Athletics Federations) changed its rules regarding the relay takeover zone. The 10-metre acceleration zone and 20-metre takeover zone for each changeover in 4x100m 4x200m relays has been merged into one 30-metre takeover zone.

To make sure that we have markings on the track that we can use for our competitions in the future, we should follow the IAAF and change our takeover zone proportionate.

Proposal

Old Rule

3B.6.1 Relay (Track)

Usually 4 x 100m or 4 x 400m like in athletics.
The takeover zones are 20 meters long and must be marked on the track. Riders may remount if necessary, and must pick up the baton if it is dropped. The handover of the baton must be within the takeover zone. This means that before the baton crosses the start mark of the takeover zone only the incoming rider is in touch with the baton and at the end of the takeover zone only the outgoing rider is in touch with the baton. Riders may not throw the baton to make a pass and may not touch the ground with any part of their body while making a pass. If the baton is not handed over within the marked takeover zone, the team will be disqualified. Leaving of the lane within the takeover zone or when remounting does not result in disqualification as long as the riders do not obstruct, impede or interfere with another rider’s progress. There is no defined preparation area for the next riders as long as they stay within their lanes.
Mixed male/female teams may be used, and reasonable age groups may be used depending on the number of expected competitors of the event. Each relay team may have any mix of ages, the age of the oldest rider determines the age group.

New Rule

XB.X.X Relay (Track)

The relay distances shall be 4 x 100m or 4 x 400m like in athletics.
In the 4 x 100m relay each takeover zone shall be 30m long, in the 4 x 400m relay each takeover zone shall be 20m. The takeover zones must be marked on the track. (The zones shall start and finish at the edges of the zone lines nearest the start line in the running direction.) In the 4 x 100m relay, riders are not permitted to line up outside their takeover zones, and shall start within the zone. In the 4 x 400m relay, there is no defined preparation area for the next riders as long as they stay within their lanes. Riders may remount if necessary, and must pick up the baton if it is dropped. The handover of the baton must be within the takeover zone. This means that before the baton crosses the start mark of the takeover zone only the incoming rider is in touch with the baton and at the end of the takeover zone only the outgoing rider is in touch with the baton. Riders may not throw the baton to make a pass and may not touch the ground with any part of their body while making a pass. If the baton is not handed over within the marked takeover zone, the team will be disqualified. Leaving of the lane within the takeover zone or when remounting does not result in disqualification as long as the riders do not obstruct, impede or interfere with another rider’s progress.
Mixed male/female teams may be used, and reasonable age groups may be used depending on the number of expected competitors of the event. Each relay team may have any mix of ages, the age of the oldest rider determines the age group.

Body

The supplements are italicised in the new rule text. For more information and the the improvement of the proposal please look and comment into discussion#155: "Relay (Track) - takeover zone".

References

More information about the IAAF's rule change can be found here: Summary of key changes to IAAF Competition Rules

Discussion

View Discussion

Change Log:

Revision 5 changed by Jan Vocke (29 May 13:22): Changed some words to keep the terms consistent
Revision 4 changed by Jan Vocke (29 May 13:20): Changed: "There is no defined preparation area for the next riders as long as they stay within their lanes." in: "In the 4 x 400m relay, there is no defined preparation area for the next riders as long as they stay within their lanes."
Revision 3 changed by Jan Vocke (25 May 01:01): Changed "Usualy" in the first sentence to "The relay distances shall be". So, the only officially IUF recognised Relay distances will be 4x100m and 4x400m.
Revision 2 changed by Jan Vocke (22 May 15:42): Added the last two sentences that I missed when copying due to the page break in the rulebook.
Revision 1 changed by Jan Vocke (22 May 14:52)

Votes on this proposal:

10 out of 10 voting members have voted.

Agree: 10, Disagree: 0, Abstain: 0.