Safety Guidelines for Secondary Interschool Athletics in Alberta

TRACK AND
FIELD - POLE
VAULT
Track and Field - Pole Vault
Higher Risk Sport
The following sections must also be consulted: All Interschool Athletic Activities,
Outdoor Activities, Off-site Activities.
Supervision
• Constant visual supervision is recommended.
All Physical
Activities
pg. 1l-17
Outdoor Activities
pg. 23-24
Off-site Activities
pg. 33-35
Instructional Considerations
• Poles should be safely transported to and from interschool athletic activity area.
• Safe vaulting procedures should be established prior to practice and enforced.
• Safety instruction should be given prior to practice.
• Student athletes should not be allowed to play, lounge, or jump on landing mats.
Equipment/Facilities
• Poles and landing mats should meet International Amateur Athletic Federation
(IAAF) specifications available at:
www.iaaf.org/competitions/technical/regulations/index.html.
• Poles should be appropriate to weight of student athlete.
• Poles should be regularly inspected for damage, e.g., cracks.
• Standards should be secure and vertical.
• Alternative crossbars should be used during practice, i.e., elastic.
• Vaulting chute should be solid and free from cracks or splinters and should have
an angled back and sides to meet IAAF specifications.
• Run up area should be sectioned off to prevent interference.
• Run up area should be clear of obstacles.
• Landing area should be well marked and void of people during the activity.
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Safety Guidelines for Secondary Interschool Athletics in Alberta - February 2012