New Track What are the essentials for hosting a meet that we may forget

[Qhcaoc]

What makes it as easy as possible.

[ogar_hog]

1. Having enough workers for the field events (especially the throws).

2. Hurdle Crew. Nothing kills the momentum of a meet like having only two or three people moving hurdles.

3. Having two designated "runners".  These are kids to go back and forth from the finish line and other places. (Results posting location, ribbon or medal people, Hospitality room, etc)

4. Designated Clean up crew.  The most forgotten about job because its after the meet.

[sevenof400]

Having a 'properly' configured track. 
As much as I enjoyed the result from the 5A State Meet held in Harrison, that track should not be used to host a state championship track meet. 

Click here to see aerial view of track.

[Qhcaoc]

How many adult volunteers will it realistically take to run the meet we only have 2 track coaches 7-12 one girls and one boys

[ogar_hog]

How many adult volunteers will it realistically take to run the meet we only have 2 track coaches 7-12 one girls and one boys

Assuming you have two horizontal jump pits. 15 minimum to run off a good meet.

6 - Field events
1 - announcer
1 - medals
1 - Hurdle crew supervisor
1 - Concession
1 - Hospitality
1 - Ticket booth
2 - Automatic Timing (you may hire this in)
1 - Break line (this can be someone with another duty, they just need to be at the break line for the races that require it)
1 or 2 - Starter (will be hired)

[sevenof400]

To add to ogar_hog's list, running event umpires (monitors) to watch for running and/or lane violations (not just exchange lanes).  This can be done with six people, but 8 is better.   

[Qhcaoc]

thanks this is what I am most worried about with our school wanting us to run meets

[AT]

Qhcaoc,

I have helped at the Alma Sr. High track meet for several years and this is how it is ran.

First off it is a Fully Automated Timed meet, so Alma has usually 3-4 people in the press box doing these things:

1. Announcing places and score/1st call, 2nd call, final call for such and such event

2. Checking what images the camera is sending and being the timer.

3. Someone tabulating the team scores

4. a runner from the finish line to the press box. Alma has recently started using walkie talkies for this purpose if possible.


On the actual track and field, this is how Alma does it:

They have one coach running the men's horizontal jumps. He can do both the long jump and triple jump since they are done at separate times. His job is to read off the mark from the measuring tape. He will also have student athletes helping by holding the tape from the jump line and raking the sand pit.

There is another coach who does this for the women.

For the high jump, you just need one coach really, and Alma has one who has done it for years.

Pole vault only needs one coach, but you can have two student athletes raising the bar and adjusting the standards while the coach measures the bar height and checks off clearances and misses.

Alma has usually had one coach for the throws. He will read off the measurements from the string/tape just like the horizontal jumps while an athlete holds the string/tape in place from the throw pit. The coach will also have student athletes helping retrieve the shot puts and discuses.

When it comes to running events Alma has always done it this way:

1 starter (shoots the gun)

1 adult who checks in athletes at the benches

1 adult who makes sure the athletes get in the right lanes/waterfalls on the track

1 person hand timing just in case the FAT fails.

All of these people contribute in counting laps in the distance races.

Alma cobbles up a group of coaches from the above groups to check exchange zones during relays.

Alma hands out their medals and trophies after the meet is over.

[AT]

Forgot to mention hurdles. Like ogar said, it is best to have as many people possible to put the hurdles on the track, but if you can get a good amount of student athletes to help, then they can do it. You just need a coach to make sure they are all at the right height and lined up correctly.

Alma has had concession stand before, I've seen parents volunteer to do that.

Ticket booth has been done by the same retired teacher for years.

[RATTLER43]

And we love going to Alma meets.

[ogar_hog]

On exchange zones we usually ask during the coach's meeting.  Most other school's coaches don't mind doing it since it's only the 4X100.