| USATF OFFICIALS BEST PRACTICES | ||||
| POLE VAULT RULES COMPARISON | ||||
| GOVERNING BODY | IAAF | USATF | NCAA | NFHS |
| EQUIPMENT/FACILITIES | ||||
| Pad surface (L x W x H) | 7 m x 6 m x 0.8 m | 6.15m x 6m x 0.813 m | 6.5m x 6m x 0.813 m | 20′ 2″ x 19′ 8″ |
| Box collar required | No | No | Yes | Yes ( eff. Jan 2015) |
| Crossbar length | 4.48 – 4.52 m | 4.48 – 4.52 m | 4.48 – 4.52 m | 14′ 10″ (4.52 m) |
| Distance between pegs | 4.30 – 4.37 m | 4.30 – 4.37 m | 4.30 – 4.37 m | 4.16-4.48 m (13’8″-14’8″) |
| Bar support peg length | 55 mm | 55 mm | 55 mm | Max. 3″ (76 mm) |
| ATHLETE MATTERS | ||||
| Marks beside runway | 1 or 2 markers; no chalk/indelible marks | 1 or 2 markers; no chalk/indelible marks | 1 or 2 markers, 7x15cm max; no shoes | Allowed |
| Electronic devices | Not allowed | Not allowed | Not allowed | No wireless communic. device or viewing of video |
| Tape on pole | No restrictions, unlimited layers planting end | No restrictions, unlimited layers planting end | No restrictions, unlimited layers planting end | Uniform layers grip end; no restrictions planting end |
| Tape on hands/fingers | Allowed | Allowed | Allowed | Not allowed |
| Wear of gloves | Not allowed | Allowed | Allowed | Not allowed |
| Standards positioning (from zero line) | 0-80 cm | 0-80 cm (Youth 45-80) | 45-80 cm | 18-31.5 inches (45-80 cm) |
| Not allowed | 2 min. per athlete if no jumps after 1 hour, w/o bar, at entry height | Open: not allowed. Master & Youth: 1 run-thru after 3 passed hts, w/o bar | 2 min. per athlete after 3 consec. passed hts, w/o bar, at entry height | Warm ups at venue after competition starts |
| Can’t compete | Athlete arrives after competition starts | Start at current height – if entered | Start at current height – if entered | Can’t compete |
| Athletes competing in another event | Not addressed | For one trial at a time may jump out of order. If not at venue, call “up” & record “pass” after time limit | May jump out of order. If not at venue and round is otherwise complete, call “up”; record “pass” after time limit; & raise bar | May jump out of order in prelims & finals; if leave venue, excusal time set by Games Cmte |
| TIMING FOR ATTEMPTS | ||||
| Open – 4 or more athletes | 1 Min | 1 Min | 1 Min | 1.5 Min |
| Open – 2-3 athletes | 2 Min | 2 Min * | 3 Min * | 4 Min |
| Open – 1 athlete | 5 Min | 5 Min * | 5 Min * | 6 Min |
| Open – Consecutive jumps | 3 Min | 3 Min | 3 Min | 3 Min |
| Combined events – 4 or more | 1 Min | 1 Min | 1 Min | 1.5 Min |
| Combined events – 2 or 3 | 2 Min | 2 Min | 3 Min | 4 Min |
| Combined events – 1 athlete | 3 Min | 3 Min | 3 Min | 6 Min |
| Combined events – consecutive | 3 Min | 3 Min | 3 Min | 3 Min |
| * 1st attempt in competition – 1 min. | ||||
| Time expiration – warning method | Clock, or hold up yellow flag w/15 seconds left | Clock and hold up yellow flag w/15 seconds left, at end drop flag, verbal | Clock, or hold up yellow flag w/15 seconds left | Not addressed |
| CONDUCTING THE EVENT | ||||
| Passes | Pass height | Pass height | Pass attempt(s) | Pass attempt(s) |
| Use of 5 alive | Not addressed | Use if large field; abandon when <13 after end of a ht. | Use if >15 in competition; abandon when < 9 at a ht. | Games Committee decision abandon when < 9 at a ht. |
| Athlete steadies bar | Not allowed | Not allowed | Not allowed | Not allowed |
| Athlete leaves the ground but does not complete the vault | Allowed | Allowed | Aborted runup allowed Aborted attempt not allowed | Allowed |
| Increments – Open | 5-15 cm | 5-15 cm; never increase | 5-15 cm; never increase | Games Committee |
| Increments – combined events | 10 cm | 10 cm | 10 cm | Not addressed |
| At next ht in progression after tied height; 5 cm | 1st place ties: Where to start; increments to raise & lower | At next ht in progression after tied height; 5 cm | At next ht in progression after tied height; 5 cm | At failed height 3 inches |
| Score sheet markings | ||||
| Make | O | O | O | O |
| Miss | X | X | X | X |
| Pass / Did not jump | P or – | P or – | P | P |
| PV Rules Compar., USATF Best Practices, Jan 14 | ||||
