Safety Guidelines for Secondary Interschool Athletics in Alberta

TRACK AND
FIELD:
• DISCUS
• JAVELIN
• TURBO
JAVELIN
• SHOT-PUT
All Physical
Activities
pg. 1l-17
Outdoor Activities
pg. 23-24
Off-site Activities
pg. 33-35
Track and Field – Discus, Javelin, Turbo-Javelin, Shot-Put
Medium Risk Sports
The following sections must also be consulted: All Interschool Activities,
Outdoor Activities, Off-site Activities.
Supervision
• Constant visual supervision is recommended for initial skill instruction and
when a regulation javelin is in use.
• On-site supervision is recommended following initial skill instruction and after
all safety concerns have been emphasized.
Instructional Considerations
• Safe throwing and retrieving procedures should be taught and enforced.
• Alternate screening (e.g., baseball backstop) should be used when appropriate
throwing cage is not available.
• Student athletes should be in a designated safe zone when not throwing
implement.
Equipment/Facilities
• Throwing implement should be of a size appropriate for the age and gender of
the student athlete and based on national, provincial, or local guidelines.
• Throwing implement should not be cracked, chipped or otherwise damaged, and
checked regularly.
• Throwing area should be free of obstacles and completely closed to traffic, e.g.,
no other activity should be located in the area where throwing activity is taking
place.
• Landing area should be well marked and void of people during the activity.
• Throwing area should provide safe footing.
• Run up area, if applicable, should provide safe footing.
• Javelins should be transported safely to and from the practice and competition
site, e.g., the javelin should point downward and not be carried on or over the
shoulder, or securely stored in vehicle when driving.
• When conditions are wet:
o Provide more landing area as implements can slide farther on a wet surface.
o Position all people out of all possible lines of flight as implement may slip
out of thrower’s hand more easily under these conditions.
o Towel or rag should be available for drying the implements.
Safety Guidelines for Secondary Interschool Athletics in Alberta - February 2012 61