Know your events

Queensland Little Athletics offers a variety of Track and Field events to registered members depending on their age groups: U6 - U17's. Event and equipment specifications vary between these ages.

Summary of Events

Play Training

Centres are required to provide play-training activities. These activities are recognised as the best way of introducing young children (U6 age group) to the sport. Centres should continue some level of these activities through to U7's and U8's as well. The limited number of events considered appropriate by athletics authorities for the Under 6's in particular plus the requirement to teach them adequate motor skills in a 'fun' way means "Play Training" has become a large part of Little Athletics for this group, and a limited but definite flow-on to older ages should also become evident.

Track

Sprints: Sprinting essentially involves running at full speed over the full race distance. Little Athletics sprint distances are 70, 100, 200 and 400 metres, although U6's do not run more than 100 metres, and U7/8's don't run 400 metres. Although technically a sprint for older athletes the 400 metres is perhaps best considered a middle distance race for most Little Athletes.

Distance: In Little Athletics these are events run over 800m (U9 and older) and 1500m (U11 and older). Greater endurance levels are required and the running style has to be considerably less vigorous than for the sprints. They are in general run from a pack start in an anti-clockwise direction on the circular track.

Hurdles: U8's to U17's are offered Hurdle events at Centre and Association competitions. The event is run over 60m (6 flights), 80m (9 flights), 90m (9 flights) or 100m (10 flights) and 200m (5 flights) - depending on the age group. Heights vary from 45cm for the U8/U9's through 60cm for U10/11, 68cm for U12 to 76cm for U13-U17's. Hurdles are built to tumble easily, when knocked, provided they are hurdled from the correct direction. Hurdles must never be jumped from the reverse direction as they will not tumble and could cause serious injury.

Relays: Two types may be run - circular and shuttle. In the circular relay, all children run in the same direction around the track with the baton being carried in the right hand (1st runner) left hand (2nd runner) right hand (3rd runner) and left hand (4th runner). Runners 2 and 4 should be towards the outside of the lane when moving the baton. If this is done, changing hands with the baton is not necessary so the possibility of dropping it is reduced. In the shuttle, runners face each other from opposite ends of the straight and pass the baton as they reach their partner waiting at the other end of the straight.

Walks: Race Walking is a progression of steps, so taken that the walker makes contact with the ground, so that no visible (to the human eye) loss of contact occurs. The advancing leg shall be straightened (i.e. not bent at the knee) from the moment of first contact with the ground until the vertical upright position. It is strongly recommended that footwear (not spikes) be worn in all walking events.

Field

Shot Put: The shot is put from the shoulder with one hand only. At the time an athlete takes a stance in the circle to commence a put, the shot shall touch or be in close proximity to the neck or chin and the hand shall not be dropped below this position during the action of putting. The shot shall not be taken behind the line of the shoulders. The shot is PUSHED out to land within the marked angle. When the shot has landed, the athlete must leave so that their first step outside the circle is behind the line extending from the sides of the circle.

Discus: This is one of the oldest field events, dating back to the ancient Olympics. In Little Athletics, a moulded rubber disk is used. The discus must be thrown from within the circle and land within the marked area. When the implement has landed, the athlete must leave so that their first step outside the circle is behind the line extending from the sides of the circle.

Javelin: The javelin is a spear like implement that is thrown from a runway 4 metres in width into a sector area marked by two lines. The event is only offered to athletes in the U11 to U17's age groups. The throw must be completed from within the confines of the runway and the javelin nose must be the first part to hit the ground within the throwing sector. The competitor may then leave the runway from behind the arc and lines on the runway. All throwing implements must be carried back to the throwing area, not thrown. These events are strictly supervised but all must appreciate the dangers of flying implements.

High Jump: The athlete's task is to run up from an approach area and jump over a crossbar supported between two uprights. The crossbar is raised after each round and competitors remain in the competition until eliminated by three consecutive failures. Athletes must take off from one foot only. Note, that up to U11 Scissors technique only can be used. Old foam rubber mattresses can be used as landing mats for scissors jumpers but only proper high jump mats for fosbury flop jumpers in the older age groups. QLAA recommended high jump mat specifications may be obtained by contacting the Association Office.

Long Jump: Little Athletics uses a 1 x 1/2 metre take-off area for the U7 to U12. Children simply run in and jump from the metre square into a sand pit. The distance is measured point to point from the front of the take off point to the nearest break in the landing area. The U13 to U17's use a conventional 20cm take-off board and measurements are taken in the conventional way - i.e. from the FRONT of the board - and at right angles to the front of the board (or half metre "square") to the nearest break in the landing area.

Triple Jump: This is the old "hop, step and jump" and that accurately describes the action involved. The rest of the rules are basically the same as for Long Jump. This event is only offered and conducted for athletes in the U11 - U17 age groups.