A shot put is a simple event in which a player hits a shot as far as possible using a putting motion. For those new to the event, there are specific rules to follow. The National High School Association is the governing body for high school track and field that sets the rules for high school track and field events. If you are a competitor or coach, you should definitely be familiar with the rules, but even parents and spectators need to have a general knowledge of the rules in order to understand the event.
The shot put rules can be basically divided into three categories:
- Facilities and equipment
- Uniforms
- in the circle
Facilities and equipment
The basic facilities and equipment required for a shot put competition are the circuit, the landing strip, and the shot put. The circle and downhill strip are now standard for all levels of competition. The circle should be 7 feet in diameter with a 4 inch headboard. The drop sector should be 34.92 degrees. The high school shot weight is 12 lbs for boys and 4 kg (8.8 lbs) for girls.
Uniforms
High school rules have very strict rules as to what athletes may wear during competition. The uniform must be school. Any clothing visible under the uniform must be in a solid colour. No visible jewelry allowed. In particular for shot putters, no tape or glove is allowed on the hand. The wrist may be tied or wrapped. Athletes are allowed to use chalk, rosin or support strap if desired.
in the circle
Once a player is summoned, they have 60 seconds to complete their attempt. The athlete can enter the circle from any point. Once the player gets into the circle, he must pause, after which he can start the attempt. For the attempt to be tagged, the instrument must land within the landing sector, and the athlete needs to exit the back half of the circuit under control after the apparatus has landed. At no time during the attempt is the athlete allowed to touch the top or outside of the throwing circle or lead plate. The athlete is allowed to touch the inner edge of an elevated circle, as well as the inside of the top board.
Occasionally, an athlete may enter the circuit and have forgotten their equipment, or have not yet taken off their jacket or pants. The athlete is allowed to leave the circle, or take off the warm-up and throw it out of the circle without penalty, as long as it does not occur during the attempt. The shot must be thrown with one hand using a putting motion. Therefore, the thrower is not allowed to fall behind or below the shoulder. The throw is measured to the nearest 1/4 inch from the inside of the board to the throw’s nearest landing point.