Event Areas in the D-Zone

ASBA – New Orleans12-9-2008

Current issue because each year more field events are being built in D-Zones. Reasons for this trend:

A. Increasing popularity of soccer – requires more field width leaving no room for runways inside straightaways.

B. Sites are ‘land locked’ with no room to expand while the number of sports and athletes continue to increase.

C. Locating multiple field events in a full D-Zone can reduce maintenance costs (no irrigation, mowing, fertilizing,

pesticides).

D. Can be stand-alone events or a full D-Zone.

What are challenges for good field event design in the D-Zone?

A. Meeting rules for slope.

B. Fitting minimum legal sizes to space available.

C. Providing adequate safety clearance.

D. Meet administration.

E. Rules vary – we will focus on high school (NFSH) and college NCAA).

F. It can be overdone! Too much is a problem.

High Jump

A. High jump approach cannot exceed 1% (NFHS) or 0.4% (NCAA).

B. Minimum space is 50 ft. wide by 60 ft. deep plus pit area plus safety zone (suggest at least 5 ft.). Cover any hard surface inside safety zone with 2 in. dense foam pad.

C. Try to allow several locations for pit to distribute foot plant wear.

Long/Triple Jump

A. Runway cross-slope cannot exceed 2% (NFHS) or 1% (NCAA).

B. Slope in running direction cannot exceed 0.1% downward. Computed by using elevations at the start and end of the runway in the absence of a specific rule.

C. No current rule on how much a runway can rise and fall between the start and end.

D. Runway length shall be a minimum of 130 ft. (NFHS) or 40m (NCAA) from the start of the runway to each event’s foul line.

E. The sand pit shall be a minimum of 9 ft. by 15 ft. (NFHS) or 2.75m by 7m (NCAA).

F. A rule of thumb for pit clearance from lane 1 on track is 5 ft.

G. Example of total length needed for high school boy’s triple jump: 130 + 32 + 15 + 5 = 182 ft.

Pole Vault

A. Runway cross slope cannot exceed 2% (NFHS) or 1% (NCAA).

B. Slope in running direction cannot exceed 0.1% downward. Computed by using elevations at the start and end of the runway in the absence of a specific rule.

C. No current rule on how much a runway can rise and fall between the start and the end.

D. Runway length shall be a minimum of 130 ft. (NFHS) or 40m (NCAA).

E. Landing pits vary in size so find out dimensions of pit that will be used (usually from 20-24 ft. added on to runway length).

F. No rule on safety clearance, suggest at least 8 ft. beyond the pit. Cover any hard surfaced areas inside the safety zone with 2 in. dense foam pad.

G. Example of total length needed for high school: 130 + 22 + 8 = 160 ft.

Javelin

A. Runway cross-slope cannot exceed 2% (high school) or 1& (NCAA).

B. Slope in running direct (both runway and landing sector) cannot exceed 0.1% downward. Computed by using elevations at the start and end.

C. No current rule on how much a runway can rise and fall between the start and end. Not uncommon to have runway rise, fall, and rise shen starting outside track and ending in D-Zone.

D. Runway length shall be a minimum of 36.5m (NFHS) or 33.5m (NCAA).

E. Runway width shall be a minimum of 13 ft. 1 ½ in.

F. Landing sector may be grass or turf.

Steeplechase (NCAA)

A. Cross slope cannot exceed 1%.

B. Slope in running direction cannot exceed 0.1% downward.

C. Water jump pit (12 ft. by 12 ft.) shall be level on all sides. Premanufactured forms are very helpful.

D. May need water line and drain line.

E. Must cross from track with safe approach for runner (slotted drain)?.

F. Consider concrete between water jump pit and inside of track curve.

Shotput

A. Pad must be level.

B. No synthetic on pad.

C. Landing sector can be in D-Zone, but use aggregate (crusher fines, infield mix). My suggested minimum sector distance - 60 ft. high school and 75 ft. college.

D. Slope in landing sector cannot exceed 0.1% downward.

Discus

A. Pad must be level.

B. No synthetic on pad.

C. Landing sector must be one field (grass or turf). My suggested minimum sector distance - 200 ft. high school and 240 ft. college.

D. Slope in landing sector cannot exceed 0.1% downward.

E, Must allow room for cages. Next to inside of track a 1m safety zone is needed, also.

Hammer

A. Pad must be level.

B. No synthetic on pad.

C. Landing sector must be on grass. My suggested minimum sector distance - 240 ft.

D. Slope in landing sector cannot exceed 0.1% downward.

E. Must allow room for hammer cage. Doors on cage typically need concrete pad for wheels. Next to inside of track a 1m safety zone is needed, also.

Notes and Tips

A. Consider 8 ft. offset for football goal if field is used for soccer, too.

B. Soccer cage should be level. Can create problems if sloping down to the D-Zone cross curb.

C. May have scoreboard in D area.

D. Pave parallel to cross curb, pull off onto track.