– 10.8 Track & Field Rulebook – Catholic Youth Ministry

Previous Version: 2024-2025 Track and Field Rules

10.8.1 General Guidelines

10.8.1-1 If a rule in the sport of track is not specifically addressed or contained herein, NFHS (“Federation”) rules shall be applied.
- 10.8.1-1.1 DIAA guidelines may be referred to and applied in certain situations when deemed appropriate.
- 10.8.1-1.2 No coach or coordinator at the affiliate level shall alter, revise, or change any rules prior to, during, or after the conclusion of competition.
10.8.1-2 The CYM Sports Coordinator is the lead rules interpreter for the sport of track within CYM Sports programming.
- 10.8.1-2.1 Interpretation of all CYM Sports rulings and governing rules for the sport of track will be declared final by the CYM Sports Coordinator.
10.8.1-3 The CYM Track Coordinator is the lead representative and organizer for the sport of track within CYM Sports programming.
- 10.8.1-3.1 The CYM Track Coordinator will serve as the leading representative for the office at all parish-based track events hosted at the local level.
10.8.1-4 The Track Ambassador is the lead advocate for all affiliate coaches within CYM Sports programming.
- 10.8.1-4.1 Head Coaches may suggest rule changes to the Track Ambassador or CYM Track Coordinator prior to or after season.

10.8.2 Administration of Track

10.8.2-1 A team registration is required to consist of 4 participants minimum in order to compete in CYM Sports Track.
10.8.2-2 Teams are placed in divisions in accordance with section 10.1 Universal Guidelines.
10.8.2-3 Teams must maintain cleared adult/player ratio at all times, according with 4.0 For the Sake of God’s Children – Athletics.
10.8.2-4 A violation of track rules in any meet results in the disqualification of the individual or relay team.

10.8.3 Host Directors

10.8.3-1 Host directors are required to provide details of their meets to CYM and affiliated-programs no later than 2 weeks prior to a meet.
10.8.3-2 Host directors should archive results and provide information to CYM for publication and records.
10.8.3-3 Host directors will investigate complaints of rule violations during the course of the meet and, after reviewing facts, will have the authority to leave results as they stand, adjust finish order, or disqualify a runner.
- 10.8.3-4 If CYM Sports Leadership deems appropriate, representative entities may step in for assessment in track events hosted at the local level.
10.8.3-4 Host directors are responsible for keeping volunteers and coordinators informed of all events and keeping to schedule of events.
10.8.3-5 Host parishes and schools have the discretion regarding their event, including but not limited to competition events, locations, rule modifications, etc.

10.8.4 Competition

10.8.4-1 Competition events available for each competition date should be listed on www.cymsports.com when possible.
10.8.4-2 A contestant can compete up to a maximum of 2 grade levels, but cannot compete down.
10.8.4-3 A contestant may participate in one (1) sprint, one (1) relay and one (1) field event.

10.8.5 CYM Championships

10.8.5-1 Track Championship(s) are sponsored and sanctioned in accordance with section 10.1 Universal Guidelines.
10.8.5-2 To be eligible for CYM Track Championships, an individual and/or team must meet all criteria set forth within the track handbook.
- 10.8.5-2.1 An individual must participate in a minimum of 3 events listed on the official regular season schedule, and be verifiable by the host director(s).
- 10.8.5-2.2 An individual whom began an event, but could not finish due to injury or illness will count towards total. An individual whom does not finish an event due to departing early or stopping, will not count towards total.
- 10.8.5-2.3 CYM Sports Leadership may approve exceptions if the minimum number of races required has not been met.
10.8.5-3 Sprint Runners will be entered unseeded unless we can identify a qualifier race in a meet announced at the pre-season meeting, in which case that time may be used.
- 10.8.5-4 The 100-meter race may have semi-finals, and finals for the top eight (8) runners.
- 10.8.5-5 Each team may enter two (2) contestants per event.
10.8.5-4 Varsity relay team(s) may be divided into two divisions for championships, and one (1) relay team may be entered per group per gender.
- 10.8.5-4.1 If there is a split championship, based on the number of individuals on a team roster, AND there are an even number of teams, the split will be half less one for Division I.
- 10.8.5-4.2 If there is a split, based on the number of individuals, AND there are two or more teams with the same number of individuals, AND tied for the last spot in Division I, all of those teams shall be assigned to Division I.
- 10.8.5-4.3 If a team is placed in Division II and wishes to move to Division I, they must inform the CYM Sports Coordinator and CYM Track Coordinator within one week from the time divisions are to be announced.
- 10.8.5-4.4 Division splits are at the determination of the CYM Track Coordinator, and reviewed by the CYM Sports Coordinator for finalizing.
10.8.5-5 Field events in Championships are individual events and not team events. (differs from Carnival of Relays)
10.8.5-6 A scoring metric is utilized to calculate each champion and team points, with the ability to earn 31 total points. Each division is scored separately.
- 10 points for 1st place
- 8 points for 2nd place
- 6 points for 3rd place
- 4 points for 4th place
- 2 points for 5th place
- 1 point for 6th place

10.8.6 Misc. Rules

10.8.6-1 CYM coaches and coordinators may verbally encourage runners from the infield or stands.
- 10.8.6-1.1 Coaches and teammates may not run alongside or “pace” a runner.
- 10.8.6-1.2 No parent or spectator should be present on the infield during the time of competitions.
10.8.6-2 No CYM meet or parish affiliated meet may be scheduled that conflicts with one another.
10.8.6-3 Teams will provide their own batons for relay events.
10.8.6-4 Boys shot put is eight (8) pounds. Girls shot put is six (6) pounds.
10.8.6-5 Jewelry may be worn, but should follow CYM procedures for safety (i.e. medical bracelets, crosses)

10.8.7 Additional Guidelines: Non-CYM sponsored Programs

10.8.7-1 Parishes and School programs not sponsored by the Office for Catholic Youth Ministry should not participate in CYM-affiliated program meets hosted at the local level.
- 10.8.7-1.1 In the event a non-CYM team is invited by a participating CYM affiliated program, the following will apply:
  - Non-CYM teams are limited to two (2) parish/school-sponsored meets per season.
  - Invitations are provided by a local parish or school affiliated CYM program to all CYM teams.
  - If an individual is a member of a CYM team as well as a non-CYM team, the individual must participate with the CYM team for all CYM and parish/school meets.
  - A non-CYM team participating in a parish or school event must provide proof of liability insurance to the host director prior to participating.
10.8.7-2 Non-CYM programs may not participate in Carnival Relays or CYM Championships.
- 10.8.7-2.1 Non-CYM programs, but members of the Catholic Diocese of Wilmington may participate, provided the request is submitted prior March 15th of that season.

10.8.8 Carnival of Relays Rules

10.8.8-1 Events for CYM’s Carnival of Relays are determined by grade and gender with no team scoring available.
- 10.8.8-1.1 The generally accepted relay events may vary from year-to-year.
  - 4×100
  - 4×200
  - 4×400
  - Sprint Medley (400, 100, 100, and 200)
- 10.8.8-1.2 The generally accepted field events may vary from year-to-year.
  - Long Jump
  - High Jump
  - Shot Put
- 10.8.8-1.3 The generally accepted relay groups may vary from year-to-year.
  - Group 1: 3rd and 4th grades will participate in 4×100 and 4×200, but not in Sprint or Distance Medley, unless substituting for another member from their team. (Group IA will be Girls & Group IB will be Boys.
  - Group 2: up to and including 5th graders.
  - Group 3: up to and including 6th graders.
  - Group 4: up to and including 7th graders.
  - Group 5: up to and including 8th graders.
- 10.8.8-1.4 The generally accepted field event groups may vary from year-to-year.
  - Group 2-5: Long Jump
  - Group 4-5: High Jump
  - Group 4-5: Shot Put
10.8.8-2 Participants may compete in two (2) relay events and one (1) field event. The two (2) relay events must be different events, and cannot be the same event at multiple grade levels.
- 10.8.8-2.1 Each parish or school may enter a maximum of two (2) boys teams and two (2) girls teams per relay event, except that there is not limit to the number of teams that can be entered into Group A.
- 10.8.8-2.2 Each parish or school may enter a maximum of one (1) boys team and one (1) girls team, per group, in field events. Field events are team events consisting of 2 contestants, who will each make three (3) attempts at the event. (The team score will be the sum of the best individual scores)
10.8.8-3 Times for all running events will round any hundredth to the next tenth.