Field Event Judging Checklist for Meet Officials

Use this checklist before and during field event competitions to ensure a clean, efficient, and defensible meet. These items apply across all field events — throwing, horizontal jump, and vertical jump events.

Before the Meet: Equipment Inspection

Throwing events

• Throwing circle is level, unobstructed, and properly surfaced
• Stop board / toeboard is securely fastened and flush with the circle rim
• All implements are weighed and inspected against specifications for the competition level
• Approved implements are marked (chalk stripe, tape, or tag)
• Cage (discus, hammer) is inspected for structural integrity — no bent panels, broken netting
• Sector flags are set at the correct angle (34.92° for throws; 29° for javelin)
• Sector lines are clearly marked
• Measuring tape is zeroed and in good condition, OR laser device is calibrated and tested
• No athletes or non-officials are in the sector area

Horizontal jump events

• Pit sand is raked level and smoothed
• Takeoff board is flush with the runway surface
• Plasticine (foul indicator) is clean, level, and undisturbed
• Approach runway is clear of debris
• Wind gauge is positioned correctly (within 5m of board, ≤2m high, aligned with runway)
• Wind gauge is zeroed and functional
• Rakes are staged at the pit (minimum two)
• Measuring tape or laser device is staged at pit-side

Vertical jump events

• Standards are set to the correct opening height
• Bar rests on the pegs without vibration — adjust peg position if needed
• Landing mat is properly positioned and in good condition
• Approach runway is clear and dry
• Height progression chart is posted and confirmed with event coordinator

Pre-Competition Procedures

• Athlete check-in completed — all competing athletes confirmed on the flight sheet
• Scratches noted and flight order updated
• Flight order posted or announced to athletes
• Officials assigned to positions: takeoff/circle judge, pit/sector judge, measuring official
• Wind gauge operator confirmed (horizontal jumps)
• Scoring system or paper flight sheet is ready
• Head official has reviewed tiebreaker rules and procedures with the crew

During Competition: Attempt Checklist

For each attempt, confirm the following:

Throwing events

• Athlete is identified and confirmed on the flight sheet
• Clock started when athlete is called
• No one inside the sector during the attempt
• Fair/foul call made immediately after the implement lands
• If fair: measurement taken from nearest mark to circle rim, perpendicular
• Wind reading recorded (horizontal jumps only)
• Result entered on flight sheet or digital device

Long jump / triple jump

• Takeoff board judge at position before athlete begins approach
• Fair/foul flag raised immediately after takeoff
• If phase violation (triple jump): called before measurement
• Pit raked after each attempt
• Wind reading attached to the correct attempt

High jump / pole vault

• Bar height confirmed before each round
• Athlete's starting height declared and recorded
• Three misses at a height = elimination
• Pass declarations recorded (for tiebreaker purposes)
• Uprights adjusted only when athlete requests and time allows

Foul Call Protocol

Good foul calls follow a consistent protocol that minimizes disputes:

1. Watch first, signal second: Focus on the foul condition (scratch line, circle edge, sector line) — not the implement in flight
2. Signal immediately: Raise the red flag as soon as the foul condition is observed, before anyone approaches the pit or landing area
3. Do not measure fouls: A measurement does not validate a foul — if you called it, it's a foul
4. Communicate with co-officials: Confirm edge cases with your co-official before signaling

Common foul conditions to watch:

• Any body part touching or crossing the circle rim before the implement lands
• Athlete exiting from the front of the circle
• Foot touching or crossing the foul/scratch line
• Implement landing outside or on the sector line (line = out)
• Implement not landing point-first (javelin only)

Measurement Verification

Double-check measurements before recording them:

• Pin or zero point is at the correct landing mark (nearest mark to the board/circle)
• Tape or laser is pulled perpendicular to the line — not at an angle
• Reading is to the nearest centimeter, rounded down
• Wind reading matches this attempt (horizontal jumps)
• Recorded immediately before the area is disturbed

End-of-Event Checklist

• All attempts accounted for on the flight sheet (fair, foul, or pass — nothing blank)
• Flight order and attempts match the athlete roster
• Tiebreakers applied and rankings confirmed
• Results submitted to the meet director or entered in meet management software
• Head official signs the result sheet
• Equipment returned to storage and sector cleared

Using This Checklist with Digital Tools

If your meet uses meet management software, many items on this checklist are automated:

• Athlete rosters and flight order come from the entry system
• Results are recorded directly in the software — no transcription step
• Tiebreakers are calculated automatically
• Results appear on the live scoreboard as they're entered
• Electronic submission replaces paper routing

RecordBoard includes a full digital workflow for field events — from flight management to live scoring to result export. Try it free →

Related Resources

• Flight Sheet Template Guide
• Field Event Scoring Guide
• How to Run a Long Jump Competition