USATF Rule Amendments
Due by September 1, 2022
Do you have an idea for any USATF Competition Rules change, addition, or deletion?
WHO: If you are a USATF member, you can submit proposed amendments to USATF Competition Rules this year.
WHEN: The deadline to submit proposed rule changes is September 1, 2022. If you are a USATF Masters member, you must submit your proposed rule changes to mtfchair@ustaf.org with a copy to spashkin66@gmail.com .
WHERE: The Rules Committee, chaired by John Blackburn, will review the suggested changes, and submit the committee’s recommendations for approval to the USATF membership at the Annual Meeting. The committee will publish a report or scorecard on all amendments accepted, rejected, tabled, or withdrawn.
HOW: While there is no specific form to use for submitting a proposed rule change, such proposed changes must be submitted using the following format:
Action requested/Proposed amendment: Each submission shall include the proposed amendment in a form showing the entire section, subsection, or paragraph as it will read if adopted, with all proposed additional language underlined or shaded, and all proposed deleted language containing a line striking through the deleted language.
Rationale: Each submission must contain a section titled “Rationale” in which the submitter shall explain the proposed improvement or identify the problem the proposed amendment would correct, why the problem exists, and how the proposed amendment will correct the problem identified. The submitter shall also provide an analysis of whether the proposed amendment will conflict with any other provisions of the Bylaws or Regulations.
Approval of the Submission: All proposed amendments must first be recommended for approval by someone other than the submitter and shall be one of the following: a USATF Board Member; the chair of any sport, development, or operating committee; any member of the Rules Committee (for Rules of Competition); the president of any USATF Association; or any officer or the executive director of a national member organization authorized by Article 5-C. The approval must be in writing, dated, and placed on the proposal when submitted.
Example: The following is an example of a rule change proposal. The key parts are:
- Which rule is being amended.
- Added text is underlined.
- Deleted text is struck through.
- Rationale: Some commentary to justify the change.
- Approved for submission by a committee member.
Item xx – Submitted by Joe Starter; Amend Rule 162.17(b) as follows: in their judgment, fails to comply with the provisions of the command “on your marks” or “set” as appropriate, does not attain a full and final starting position (after a reasonable time) at once and without delay, or requires a warning on any provision of Rule 162; or
Rationale: This rule needs to be consistent with 162.9. The choice is to either change 162.9 to say “all competitors shall after a reasonable time assume their full and final starting position,” or change this rule to say “at once and without delay” … the proposed option being preferred as it sounds more pressing.
