RULES GOVERNING CHAIRS FOR THROWING EVENTS

 

                            Any part of the chair including the cushion, used as the seat must not exceed 75cms in height.

 

                        If footrest(s) protrude outside the throwing area, they must not be rotated in or out to permit abnormal placing of one or both feet unless so stated on the Games Classification Card.

                            NOTE:    This does not prevent the uneven placement of the footrests in the vertical (sagittal)

                               plane.

 

                        It will be the responsibility of the competitor that the chair conforms to all the above rules and no event shall be delayed while a competitor makes adjustments to the chair.

 

                        Chairs will be measured when the competitor enters the throwing area.  Chairs which have been examined may be liable to re-examination before or after the event by the official in charge of the event.

 

                        It shall be the responsibility in the first instance, of the official conducting the event to rule on the safety of the chair.

 

                            It should be noted that the "chair" need not be a wheelchair.

 

 

                        POSITIONING THE CHAIR

                            Only the footrest(s) or any part of the wheel or push rim not touching the side lines may be outside of the fair part of the Throwing area.  Any part of the chair used for propulsion must remain inside the throwing area.

For all classes a reasonable time will be permitted for an athlete to place the frame in the throwing area before the commencement of their first trial.  This time shall not normally exceed 2 minutes. 

 

                        THE ORDER OF THE TRIALS

                            The order in which the competitors take their trials shall be drawn by lot.

                            NOTE:    Once called, athletes are allowed to move away from the throwing area in order to continue warm-up.  Should an athlete not answer a call to the throwing area, he may be debarred from any subsequent trials.

 

                        Athletes who stand:  The first trial shall be taken in the order of the draw.  After each completed   event, the competitor who threw first is now placed last in the next event and   all other competitors move up one place. This is repeated after every event.

 

                        THE NUMBER OF TRIALS

Each competitor will be allowed three trials (throws) in the competition, the farthest of which will count for that event. At the competition ground, each competitor may, if possible, have practice trials of two or more at the discretion of the AD and/or Judge. Once their first trial has begun, competitors are not permitted to use the throwing area or ground within the landing area for practice trials.

 

                        REQUIREMENTS FOR A VALID THROW FROM THE CHAIR

In competition, both the backline and sidelines are considered to be in the 'fair' part of the throwing area.     It shall be a foul throw and not allowed to count if the competitor, after he has entered the throwing area or begun to make a throw, touches with any part of his body the ground outside or any part of the holding device outside the vertical plane of the sideline or back line or improperly releases the implement in making any attempt. The competitor will complete the throw under control as decided by the judge or the throw will be ruled a foul.  The athlete's feet may touch the ground, provided they remain inside the throwing area.

                           NOTE: A trig (stop board) is required for all classes.

 

                        DELAYING THE THROW, TOSS OR PUT (TRIAL)

                            A competitor who unreasonably delays making a trial renders himself liable to have that trial disallowed and recorded as a fault.  It is a matter for the Judge to decide having regard to all circumstances, what is an unreasonable delay.  The Judge shall indicate to the competitor that all is ready for the trial to begin, and the period allowed for his trial shall commence from that moment.  If the time allowed elapses once the competitor has started his trial, that trial should not be disallowed. 

                                 NOTE:     The following time should not normally be exceeded for each trial: 1.0 minutes.

 

                        INTERRUPTING A TRIAL

                            Provided that, in the course of a trial the foregoing rules have not been infringed, a competitor may lay his implement down inside the throwing area, and may leave the throwing area (when leaving the throwing area he must do so with the permission of the judge) before returning to a stationary position and beginning a fresh trial.

                            NOTE:    All the moves permitted by this paragraph shall be included in the maximum time for a trial.

 

                        LEAVING THE THROWING AREA

                            The competitor must not leave the throwing area until the implement has touched the ground. 

                            NOTE:    This rule shall be waived for sitting competitors using the approved holding device.

 

                        IMPLEMENT BREAKING

                           If any implement breaks at any time during the course of the throw, it shall not count as a trial, provided   the throw was made in accordance with the rules. If an implement breaks during a competition and cannot be repaired quickly, the round in which it broke should be started over with a new implement being used. If the judge determines that time does not allow for this, then a new implement will be used and the round continued where it left off.

 

                        DEVICES FOR THE HANDS AND THROWING AIDS

                           No device of any kind, to include the taping of two or more fingers together. No straps or other devices to aid the competitor in holding the implement, which in any way assists a competitor when making a throw, shall not be allowed.  The use of tape on either hand shall not be allowed except in the case of the need to cover an open cut or wound. The tapping of individual fingers or thumb, the wrist and upper arm is allowed for support.

 

                           The use of gloves is allowed, for all event but the stone and shot puts.

 

                        In order to obtain a better grip, competitors are permitted to use a suitable substance on their hands and neck only.

 

                           In order to protect the spine from injury, a competitor may wear a belt of leather or some suitable material.

 

                           No footwear or processes that may aid in increasing the athlete’s height will be worn or used in the events thrown for height.

 

                        In classes F1 to F3 inclusive, an athlete may use strapping on the non-throwing hand and to anchor the hand to the chair.