Rules & Guidelines
Centre Competition Rules
- All competitors must be registered with a Club affiliated with the Frankston Centre.
- Competitors must compete throughout the season in their own age group as at 1st October.
LAVIC Competition Regulations
- The Frankston Little Athletics Centre adopts the competition regulations of Little Athletics Victoria (LA Vic) in so far as they do not differ from specific centre competition rules as detailed herein. Where a centre competition rule is contrary to the LA Vic competition rule, the centre competition rule takes precedence.
- Where the centre has not encompassed a specific competition rule, the then the LA Vic competition regulation specific to that circumstance will be used.
Crouch Starts
- Crouch starts are compulsory for all Under 12-15 athletes at all Region & State Competitions. At Frankston Centre it is not compulsory, but is recommended for all under 12-15 athletes who wish to compete at Open Days and Region or State Competitions
Marshalling
- All competitors will be called at least five minutes prior to the commencement of an event. Competitors should report to the designated marshalling area before the commencement of each event. From there the Age Group Manager will escort the athletes to the event.
- If a competitor arrives late for a field event, that competitor may still compete providing at least one other competitor has not completed the event. The Age Group Manager has the right to refuse entry into an event for an athlete that is constantly late. In the case of graded track events, a competitor who arrives late and misses out on his/her graded heat shall only be allowed to run at the discretion of the Age Group Manager, provided always that the athlete can be included within the remaining heats to be run. Any competitor who continues to arrive late for events shall be reported to the Club Team Manager.
- Any number of competitors from one Club may compete in an event for their age group. Clubs shall endeavour to provide a Club Official to accompany Under 6 and Under 7 age groups to events. Competitors must return to their Club as soon as their event and recording are completed.
Track Events
- Pacing of competitors is not permitted. The Arena Manager/Centre Executive will stop the person doing the pacing and may disqualify the athlete being paced. In laned events (up to and including 400m) competitors must stay within their lane throughout the entire race. Failure to do so may result in disqualification. This rule is not applicable for designated unlaned events.
- In all other events a competitor must not cross in front of another, or do anything that might cause deliberate interference to any other competitor. Any competitor causing such interference may be disqualified.
Starting Commands
- For all laned events up to and including the 400m, a three command start is to be used, which is as follows:
- "On your marks"
- "Set"
- Gun
- For unlaned races a two command start will be used, as follows:
- "On your marks"
- Gun
False Starts
- In the Under 10 to Under 15 age groups, one false start will be permitted. In the event of a second false start the competitor will be disqualified. Under 9 age groups will be permitted two false starts before disqualification. The under 6 to Under 8 age groups will be permitted three (3) false starts before disqualification.
Hurdle Heights
60 Metre Hurdles - (Six Flights - Orange Marks On Track)
| Age (B/G) | Hurdle Height | Run-In | Spacing | Run-Out |
| 6 & 7 | 30cm (Low Hurdle) | 12m | 7m | 13m |
| 8 & 9 | 45cm (Low 1st Hole) | 12m | 7m | 13m |
80 Metre Hurdles - (Nine Flights - Black Marks On Track)
| Age (B/G) | Hurdle Height | Run-In | Spacing | Run-Out |
| 9 | 45cm (Standard – Low) | 12m | 7m | 12m |
| 10 & 11 | 60cm (Standard – 1st Hole) | 12m | 7m | 12m |
| 12 | 68cm (Standard – 2nd Hole) | 12m | 7m | 12m |
| 13 | 76cm (Standard – 3rd Hole) | 12m | 7m | 12m |
| 14G | 76cm (Standard – 3rd Hole) | 12m | 7m | 12m |
90 Metre Hurdles - (Nine Flights - White Marks On Track)
| Age (B/G) | Hurdle Height | Run-In | Spacing | Run-Out |
| 14B | 76cm (Standard – 3rd Hole) | 13m | 8m | 13m |
| 15G | 76cm (Standard – 3rd Hole) | 13m | 8m | 13m |
100 Metre Hurdles - (Ten Flights - Yellow Marks On Track)
| Age (B/G) | Hurdle Height | Run-In | Spacing | Run-Out |
| 15B | 76cm (Standard – 3rd Hole) | 13m | 8.5m | 10.5m |
300 Metre Hurdles - (Seven Flights - Green Marks On Track)
| Age (B/G) | Hurdle Height | Run-In | Spacing | Run-Out |
| 13 - 15 | 68cm (Standard - 2nd Hole) | 50m | 35m | 40m |
High Jump
- The competitor may use any style of jump to clear the bar except that:
- The jump must be made by taking off on ONE foot ONLY.
- A two footed jump is a not jump.
- A dive is not an acceptable jump and will be called as a no jump.
- Under 7 to 12years (inclusive) competitors are allowed two(2) trials/jumps in order to clear the set height of the bar.
- Under 13 to 15 years (inclusive) competitors are allowed three (3) trials/jumps in order to clear the set height of the bar.
- If a competitor baulks TWICE this is considered a trial. Should the competitor baulk a further two times without clearing that height, the competitor is out of the competition. For all age groups, except Under 6 & 7, the bar is raised 10cm from the starting height for the first height increase and then in 5cm increments.
- For the Under 6 & 7 age groups, the bar is raised by 5cm from the staring height for the first height increase and then in 5cm increments. The bar may only be raised in 2cm increments to enable competitors to firstly equal and then break a centre record. Even if there is only one competitor left in the event the bar must still be raised in 5cm increments. Starting height for the bar for the various age groups are set out below.
- The starting height may be lowered at the Age Groups Manager’s discretion ONLY for athletes unable to clear the starting height listed below.
| Boys | Girls | |||||
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | |
| U6 | 45 | 50 | 55 | 45 | 50 | 55 |
| U7 | 50 | 55 | 60 | 50 | 55 | 60 |
| U8 | 75 | 85 | 90 | 65 | 75 | 80 |
| U9 | 80 | 90 | 95 | 75 | 85 | 90 |
| U10 | 85 | 95 | 100 | 80 | 90 | 95 |
| U11 | 95 | 105 | 110 | 90 | 100 | 105 |
| U12 | 100 | 110 | 115 | 95 | 105 | 110 |
| U13 | 105 | 115 | 120 | 100 | 110 | 115 |
| U14 | 110 | 120 | 125 | 105 | 115 | 120 |
| U15 | 115 | 125 | 130 | 110 | 120 | 125 |
Increments from the 3rd height onwards are 5cm except as noted above.
Long Jump
Competitors are not permitted to take practice jumps at this event. Run ups may be measured at the side of the pit or by running into the pit only. It is a safety concern, as athletes should not jump into an unraked pit or into a previous competitions landing mark.
Mat measurements:
- U6 to U11 B/G 1m x 0.5m mat
- U12 to IA B/G 1.22m by 0.2m board
- Under 7 to 12 years (inclusive) competitors are permitted two (2) trials/jumps.
- Under 13 to 15 years (inclusive) competitors are permitted three (3) trials/jumps.
To be a valid jump the competitor MUST take off from ONE foot ONLY. The toe of the take off foot must be within the front edge of the take off mat/board, (from the landing pit). It shall be called a trial event if the jump is NOT completed. If after completing a jump the competitor walks back through the landing area a ‘NO JUMP’ is recorded.
For the Under 6 to Under 11 age groups, the measuring of jump is done by taking the closest distance between landing imprint and the take off imprint. For the under 12 to U16 age groups, the measuring of the jump is done by measuring, at right angle to the take off board, a straight line from the back of the imprint closest to the take off board and the front edge (nearest to the pit) of the take off board. Where a competitor falls back or makes and impression in the sand between the take off area and the foot prints, the measurement is from the take off area as discussed above and the closest impression in the sand.
Triple Jump
Competitors are not permitted to take practice jumps at this event. Run ups may be measured at the side of the pit or by running into the pit only.
It is a safety concern as athletes should not jump into an unraked pit or into a previous competitions landing mark.
Mat measurements:
- U9 to U11 B/G 1m x 0.5m mat
- U12 to IA 1.22m x 0.2m board
- Under 7 to 12 years (inclusive) competitors are permitted two (2) trials/jumps.
- Under 13 to 15 years (inclusive) competitors are permitted three (3) trials/jumps.
To be a valid jump the competitor MUST make three distinct jumps – a hop, a step and a jump. The first jump is a hop and the competitor must take off and land on the same foot. The second jump is a step and the competitor must land on the other foot. The Third and final jump is the jump and the competitor must take off from the foot on which the step was finished. The toe of the take off foot must be within the front edge of the take off at, (from the landing pit), it shall be called a trial event if the jump is NOT completed. If after completing a jump the competitor walks back through the landing area a ‘NO JUMP’ is recorded.
Triple Jump
For the Under 9 to Under 11 age groups, the measuring of the jump is done by taking the closest distance between land imprints and the take off imprint. For the under 12 to IA age groups, the measuring of the jump is done by measuring, at right angle to the take off board, a straight line from the back of the imprint closest to the take off board and the front edge (nearest to the pit) of the take off board. Where a competitor falls back or makes and impression in the sand between the take off area and the foot prints, the measurement is from the take off area as discussed above and the closest impression in the sand.
Discus
| Boys | Girls | |
| U6 | 350gms Rubber | 350gms Rubber |
| U7 | 350gms Rubber | 350gms Rubber |
| U8 | 500gms Rubber | 500gms Rubber |
| U9 | 500gms Rubber | 500gms Rubber |
| U10 | 500gms Rubber | 500gms Rubber |
| U11 | 750gms Rubber | 750gms Rubber |
| U12 | 750gms Rubber | 750gms Rubber |
| U13 | 1000gms Rubber/Steel Rim | 750gms Rubber/Steel Rim |
| U14 | 1000gms Rubber/Steel Rim | 1000gms Rubber |
| U15 | 1000gms Rubber/Steel Rim | 1000gms Rubber/Steel Rim |
Under 7 to 12 years (inclusive) competitors are permitted two (2) trials/throws.
Under 13 to 15 years (inclusive) competitors are permitted three (3) trials/throws.
A competitor may enter the ring from any direction but MUST LEAVE from the REAR HALF of the circle once the discus has landed. A competitor must not touch the TOP of the circle or the ground outside the circle during the trial with any part of their body. A ‘NO THROW’ will result. The discus must land between two lines which from an angle of 34.92 degrees from the centre of the throwing circle. Fingers cannot be taped together. When measuring a throw, the start of the tape measure is placed at the point where the discus first landed and is drawn tightly across the discus circle so that the tape passes over the centre of the circle. The distance is measured at the point where the tape crosses the inner edge of the discus circle.
Shot Put
| Boys | Girls | |
| U6 | 1kg Blue | 1kg Blue |
| U7 | 1kg Blue | 1kg Blue |
| U8 | 1.5kg Yellow | 1.5kg Yellow |
| U9 | 2kg Black/Orange | 2kg Black/Orange |
| U10 | 2kg Black/Orange | 2kg Black/Orange |
| U11 | 2kg Black/Orange | 2kg Black/Orange |
| U12 | 3kg White | 2kg Black/Orange |
| U13 | 3kg White | 3kg White |
| U14 | 3kg White | 3kg White |
| U15 | 4kg Red | 3kg White |
Under 7 to 12 years (inclusive) competitors are permitted two (2) trials/throws.
Under 13 to 15 years (inclusive) competitors are permitted three (3) trials/throws.
The shot must be held against or close to the chin from commencement of and during the trial/put. The competitor must be stationary before commencing and after completing the put. The shot must be put from the shoulder with one hand & this hand must not drop below this position throughout the put. The competitor may touch the inside edge of the stop board or the inside edge of the circle during the trial/put. However, the competitor must not touch the top of the stop board or circle and the ground outside the throwing circle during the trial with any part of their body or attire. A ‘NO PUT’ will result. When measuring a put, the start of the tape measure is placed at the point where the shot put first landed and is drawn tightly across the shot put circle so that the tape passes over the centre of the circle. The distance is measured at the point where the tape crosses the inner edge of the shot put circle.
Javelin
Javelin weights:
400gms U10 - U12 Boys & U10 - U13 Girls
600gms U13 - U15 Boys & U14 - U15 Girls
Under 7 to 12 years (inclusive) competitors are permitted two (2) trials/throws.
Under 13 to 15 years (inclusive) competitors are permitted three (3) trials/throws.
As a prelude to the throw, the competitor grasps the javelin near its centre of gravity and sprints towards a throwing arc. As the competitor nears the throwing arc they twist to one side, draw back the javelin, and prepares to throw. Meanwhile, in order to maintain running speed while leaning back for the throw, they execute a hop or a fast cross step. At the throwing arc they pivot forward abruptly and hurl the javelin into the air. The competitor must stay within the runway and not touch or cross the throwing arc. The javelin must land tip first although it does not necessarily have to stick in the ground.
When measuring a throw the start of the tape measure is placed at the point where the javelin first landed and is drawn tightly across the throwing arc so that the tape passes over the centre of the arc. The distance is measured at the point where the tape crosses the inner edge of the throwing arc.
Please note that this is information is subject to change.