Padding Permitted for Pole Vault Planting Boxes
in High School Track and Field
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Becky Oakes
INDIANAPOLIS, IN (April 9, 2013) — Padding for pole vault planting boxes that meets the new ASTM specification standard is now permitted for use in high school track and field competition.
The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Track and Field Rules Committee recommended the permissive use of the ASTM-approved padding, and the NFHS Board of Directors subsequently approved the Track and Field Rules Committee’s recommendation.
Although optional for the current 2013 high school outdoor track season, padding that meets the ASTM standard can be incorporated into the design of the planting box or the padding can be added to an existing planting box. Schools may use the ASTM-approved padding immediately unless directed otherwise by the respective NFHS-member state high school association.
“With new product availability that meets the ASTM standard, the Track and Field Rules Committee recommended this potential use,” said Becky Oakes, NFHS director of sports. “With the NCAA requiring the planting box padding by December 1, more and more facilities are using the padding this outdoor season. As a result, high schools that use these facilities may encounter this padding in pole vault planting boxes.”
Oakes said that all other current rules requirements for padding (Rule 7-5 in the NFHS Track and Field Rules Book) remain in effect.
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About the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS)
The NFHS, based in Indianapolis, Indiana, is the national leadership organization for high school sports and performing arts activities. Since 1920, the NFHS has led the development of education-based interscholastic sports and performing arts activities that help students succeed in their lives. The NFHS sets direction for the future by building awareness and support, improving the participation experience, establishing consistent standards and rules for competition, and helping those who oversee high school sports and activities. The NFHS writes playing rules for 16 sports for boys and girls at the high school level. Through its 50 member state associations and the District of Columbia, the NFHS reaches more than 19,000 high schools and 11 million participants in high school activity programs, including more than 7.6 million in high school sports. As the recognized national authority on interscholastic activity programs, the NFHS conducts national meetings; sanctions interstate events; offers online publications and services for high school coaches and officials; sponsors professional organizations for high school coaches, officials, speech and debate coaches, and music adjudicators; serves as the national source for interscholastic coach training; and serves as a national information resource of interscholastic athletics and activities. For more information about the NFHS, visit www.nfhs.org. Access and order NFHS Coach Education courses at www.nfhslearn.com.