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Track

Track Featured Image

Track Skills 

Technique 

  • Run in a forward motion toward the finish line. 
    • Look up and straight ahead. 
    • Land on the balls of feet. 
    • Lift knees high. 
    • Bend elbows and swing arms from shoulders. 
    • Take long strides and lean slightly forward. 
    • See the section on Frame Runners for more information.
  • Wheel in a forward motion toward the finish line. 
    • Look up and straight ahead. 
    • Arm push begins with hands on rim at 1-2 o’clock, push through to 6-7 o’clock, release.  
    • Lift elbows high and forward to reconnect at 1-2 o’clock. 
    • Use smooth fast strokes.  
    • Lean slightly forward (requires safe wheelchair set up). 
    • See the section on Race Wheelchairs for more information.

Race Technique 

  • Official or Age Manager will show athletes to their lanes and the starting line. 
  • When race starter says “On your Marks”. 
    • Move up to stand behind the line. 
    • Point feet point in direction of run.  
    • Listen or look for the next instruction. 
  • Race starter says “Set” (for races up to and including 400m). 
    • Front leg forward and bent (behind line). 
    • Back leg bent and weight on balls of foot. 
    • Listen or look for the next instruction. 
  • Race starter says “go”. 
    • Listen for the bang of the gun and run. 
      Or
    • Look for the visual sign of arm lowering or light flash and run.  
  • Race. 
    • Run between the lines of your lane (for races up to and including 400m).
      Or 
    • Merge towards the inside lane when told to (for longer than 400m). 
    • Keep moving until you are past the end line. 

Modification Options 

  • Check out our webinar How to Modify Events for Athletes with Disability.
  • Reduce the distance. 
  • Assistive Technology (equipment) is used to support balance so the athlete can compete.  
    • The athlete can use their everyday equipment. This is Assistive Technology that they use in their everyday life, not for a short-term injury. 
      • Crutches.
      • Walking frame.
      • Wheelchair.
      • Orthotics.
      • Prosthetics.
    • Specialised Assistive Technology for athletics can be used.
    • Athletes may need a helper adult (for example parent or support worker or therapist) to use the equipment safely and effectively, especially when learning – ask the athlete what they need. 
  • Think about lane allocations. 
    • Athletes will likely need 2 lanes or a spare lane either side.  
    • Encourage the athlete to use the lane with the smoothest surface to reduce risk of injury due to reduced balance and body awareness. 
    • Sometimes the inside lane has a lip on the track which can be a tripping hazard. 
    • The outside lane has a gentler curve which is helpful if using equipment or the athlete needs help from an adult (for example parent or support worker or therapist). 
  • Starter gun.
    • Visual signal is required for athletes with sensitivity to noise. They may also choose to wear ear muffs or start on the opposite side to the gun. 
    • Visual or touch signal required for deaf and hard of hearing athletes. 
      • A visual signal is preferred for body autonomy.
      • Hand or flag raised on “get set” and lowered on “go”.
      • Athlete starts in lane 1 or 8 with the person signaling to stand to the same side. 
      • Gently tap the shoulder on “go”.  Stand out of the way of their start. 
    • Audible signal required for athletes with vision impairment. 
  • For athletes with vision impairment, use a guide athlete. See the sensory page for more information.
  • Use bright markers to show where to run. 

Safety  

  • Review track pre-race to ensure clear of obstacles. 

Measuring 

Officials – Time person  

  • Pre-race.
    • Position yourself to see the race starter. 
    • Your timing device is on 0:00.00. 
    • Time a place rather than a lane or athlete. 
  • When race starter indicates “go”.
    • Start timing when you see the smoke or light or arm lower. 
  • To end race.
    • Stop the timing device when the torso of the athlete crosses the line. 
  • When is a runner disqualified?  
    • If the athlete runs in another lane (for races up to and including 400m). 
    • If an athlete interferes or impedes another athlete’s performance 

Officials – Race starter

  • Pre-race.
    • Check time people are ready. 
    • Stand so that you can see all athletes. 
  • When you say “On your Marks”.
    • Hold your arm parallel to the ground. 
    • Call the next command when athletes are steady. 
  • When you say “Set”.
    • Move your arm above your head. 
    • If the athlete is unsteady, or moves before go, start the whole process again. Allow an approximation for appropriate athletes. 
  • You say “go”.
    • Fire the gun and/or flash light. 
    • Lower arm. 

Recording  

  • Record the time to the nearest tenth (10th) of a second. 
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(ACN 632 256 181).
All rights reserved.
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