Athletics - Terminology

Athletics is a popular sport in the Olympics and many events related to jumping, running, walking, and throwing are held. There are many terminologies used in this sport and we will make you familiar with all of them.

American Grip

This is a way of holding a Javelin. The participant has to hold the cord between his thumb and index finger.

Anchor

The final leg of the competitor in the relay race is termed as anchor. Most skilled runners are given the chance to become anchors. The anchor is responsible for making up the lost time or managing the lead.

Approach Run

The first run in an event of athletics like the Javelin throw, long jump, high jump, etc. is known as the Approach run. The competitor has to take this first step so that he can gain momentum and do the task.

Arena

Arena is a field where all the events of athletics held. The things found in this field are the running track, the spectator's stands, and the grass fields.

Barrel Start

This is a type of race start when the number of runners is more than 20. The traditional waterfall line is the place from where the highest-ranked competitors have to start the race. The runners whose rank is lower have to start from the barrel. Another name for the barrel start is also known as dual alley start. Barrel is a curved start line which is used by lower-ranked competitors to start the race. It is a curved line which can be found at the stagger mark.

Baton

Baton is a hollow tube used in the relay race. This baton is passed from one runner to another in a team. The baton has to be carried till the end of the race.

Bell Lap

The final lap of a race is termed as bell lap. This lap is named as bell lap because when the last lap starts a bell is rung.

Bend Runner

Bend Runner is an athlete who takes part in a relay race and runs with the first or third leg.

Blind Pass

In a blind pass, an athlete passes the baton to the other athlete without keeping an eye on the baton. This type of pass is used in relay races.

Bounding

Bounding is also known as power sprint. There are four styles of long jump and bounding is one of them. In this style of long jump, the athlete has to swing up one arm vertically while the other arm is left behind. This technique provides a large upward impulse.

Break Line

Break lines are the markings on the track which is used as an indicator for the competitors of middle-distance or long-distance races to start running. These lanes are different from the pre-assigned lanes.

Broad Jump

Broad jump is a jumping event in which a competitor has to run and then land into a pit.

The main aim of this event is to travel the farthest possible distance. This event is also known as the long jump.

Cage

Cage is used in the games of discus and hammer throw. The cage consists of a box and is covered with a net so that the instruments thrown do not go outside the competition area.

Changeover

The passing of a baton from one teammate to another is called changeover.

Check Mark

Check mark is placed by an athlete before attempting the approach run.

Chief Photo Finish Judge

He is the one who has to determine the winner of the foot race.

Clerk

Clerk is an officer who is responsible for the enforcement of the rules related to shoes, uniforms, and numbers. He is also responsible for starting an event at its scheduled time.

Climbing

Climbing is a technique of long jump in which an athlete runs while cycling both of his arms and legs which looks like approach run.

College High

In the 110m hurdles race at the college and Olympics events, college high is a hurdle whose height is 42 inches.

Cord

The grip of the Javelin is known as cord. It is a non-slippery part of the javelin which an athlete holds to throw it.

Countback

Countback is a system of declaring the winners in the pole vault or high jump. This system is used when the heights of athletes are the same in both these games. In this system, the number of failed jumps is counted in the whole game or the result can also be declared according to a given height.

Crossbar

The horizontal bar is the bar which is set at a minimum height and a pole vaulter or a high jumper has to cross it to go to the next level.

Crossover

Crossover is a step which an athlete has to use before throwing the javelin. In this step, the leg opposite to the arm holding the javelin has to be brought forward and the arm has to be brought back to throw the javelin.

Crouch Start

This is a common starting position which is used in the hurdle race and 800m events.

Athletes have to touch the ground with their hand, the foot, and the knee of the rear leg.

The head has to be leveled with the back.

Dash

Dash is a foot racing event where athletes have to cover a distance of 100, 200, or 400 meters. Athletes have to take up the momentum and maintain it till the end of the race to win.

Decathlete

Decathlete is an athlete who participates in decathlon.

Decathlon

Decathlon is an event that consists of 10 track and field games and the athlete who scores the highest points is declared as winner.

Discus

Discus is a disc in the form of a lens shape and is made up of different materials like wood, plastic, carbon fiber, fiberglass, or metal. The weight of the discus for males is 2kg and has a diameter of 22cm. The discus used for the women is of 1 kg and has a diameter of 18cm.

Double Arm Takeoff

This is a technique used in high jump. In this technique, the athlete has to see his arms which will help him in crossing the horizontal bar.

Double Arm

Double arm is a technique used in the long jump. In this technique, an athlete has to swing up both his arms which results in a high hip height and large vertical propulsion.

Drive Phase

The beginning part of a sprint or an approach run is called the drive phase where the athlete has to catch high speed.

Drive Swing

Drive swing is a step which a vaulter has to perform while throwing the pole. The vaulter has to bend the pole back and bring their torso backward.

Even Split

This is a strategy which is used by athletes when they have to participate in a middle or long-distance race. Athletes have to run at a steady speed in this event.

Exchange Zone

The length of the exchange zone is 20m. This is a zone where a teammate has to exchange the baton with the other.

False Start

False start happens when an athlete starts the race before the fire. Such an athlete is given two chances but if he repeats it for the third time, he is disqualified and the race is started for the remaining athletes.

Finish Line

Finish line is the white line which indicates that all the foot races will end here. If an athlete crosses this line first, he is declared as the winner.

Flight

It refers to the takeoff during the long jump, high jump, and pole vault where the athlete has to be airborne.

Foul Jump

When the jump becomes invalid during the long or high jump, it is called foul jump.

Foul Line and Foul Throw

Foul line is the line where an athlete has to end the approach run. If an athlete crosses the line during the jump or throw event, it will result in a foul. Similarly, a violation of rules while throwing a discus or javelin is called a foul throw.

Four Point Start

When a race has to be started, the referee has to say get set go. When the referee says Set, the angle of the knee of the rear leg becomes 120 to 140 degrees and the angle of the knee of the front leg is 90 degrees. The hips are also raised high and the body weight is imposed on hands and front legs.

Fully Automatic Timing System

This is an automatic timing system that is being used in track and field foot racing events.

When the referee fires the gun, this timer is started automatically. The device has the ability to capture the timing of each of the athlete participating in the race.

Hammer

Hammer is a ball which is attached to a chain that is used in the hammer throw event.

Hammer Throw

Hammer Throw is an event in which athletes have to throw the hammer which consists of a ball attached to a string.

Heptathlon

Heptathlon is an event which consists of seven track and field games and the athlete with the highest points wins the event.

Hurdle

Hurdle is an obstacle placed on the track and athletes have to jump over it to reach the end and finish the race.

IAAF

IAAF can be expanded to the International Association of Athletics Federations. This is a body that is responsible for making and enforcing rules related to athletics.

Javelin Throw

Javelin throw is an event in which an athlete has to throw a javelin to the furthest possible distance. In the case of men, the weight of the javelin is 800 g and the minimum height is 260 cm. In the case of women, the weight of the javelin is 600 g and the minimum length is 220 cm.

Landing Area and Landing Pit

A thick mat used in the high jump and pole vault is called landing area. The mat is placed behind the crossbar for the safety of the performer. Landing pit is a sunken area that is filled with sand. The pit may also be covered with a thick mattress. The pit is designed in such a way that the athlete does not feel any problem after landing during the high jump.

Athletes have to land on their back and the knees should be bent slightly.

Lap

It is a full round of the track in which the innermost track covers a distance of 400m.

Photo Finish

Photo Finish is used as a piece of evidence in a foot race as it is a series of pictures which can be used to declare the winner of the foot race easily.

Pin is a small metal piece whose shape is same as a screw. These pins can be found in the soles of spikes that help in managing the grip on the track surface.

Plant

Plant is performed by vaulters in which they have to run and then raise their arms up to the maximum possible height. After that, they have to plant the pole into the side way and then make a jump.

Runway

Runway is made up of polyurethane surface and is used by the athletes participating in the high jump, long jump, pole vault, and javelin throw.

Shaft

Shaft is the actual body of the javelin as the grip and head are attached here. Shaft can be hollow or solid and made up of wood or metal.

Starter's Gun

This is an empty gun fired to start a foot race.

Takeoff Board

The takeoff board is rectangular in shape and is 8 feet wide and four feet long. This board is placed before the foul line in a long jump event. This is a board which athletes use to take off.

Track Event

Track events include different types of events held on the track. These events include sprints, middle-distance races, relays, long-distance races, and hurdles.

USATF

The full form of USATF is United States of America Track and Field and it is responsible for governing all national championships related to track and field. USATF is also responsible for selecting players for the Olympics and Pan American Games as it is a member of IAAF and the United States Olympic Committee.