Beloit Flyers Track Club Handbook 2008-2009 Sports: Track & Field Founded: Informally – 2001, Formally 2008 Team Colors: Purple/White Sanctions: AAU / USATF AAU Club #: To be Announced USATF Club #: 20-0220 Website; http://beloitflyers.tk
Mission: The Beloit Flyers’ Track Club mission is to empower athletes and club volunteers to achieve their full potential on and off the track through the teaching of track and field fundamentals and skill development. Purpose: The goal of Beloit Flyers is to manage the resources and people in the Wisconsin/Illinois state line track community in a way that will permit us to facilitate the growth of the sports of track & field among ALL in our community. We seek to do this through the programs and competitions we organize, and by providing coaching resources and training as well as meet management.
Why is the Beloit Flyers Track Club unique? The Beloit Flyers Track Club is for youth and of all ability levels, but with a competitive mindset. We specialize in all field events and sprinting. We have a strong history of success, and our focus is on the individual athlete. Our athletes have claimed among their honors: 2007 AAU Triple Jump Indoor Jr. Olympics Champion, Ashley Pohlman and 2007 AAU Northern Champion, Christina Shields. We are proud of these accomplishments, but our main focus is always individual athletic development. We participate in track & field competitions sanctioned through the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU), the USA Track & Field (USATF), as well as non-sanctioned competitions. We strive for a fun and focused environment based on long-term goals. Beloit Flyers Track Outdoor season begins in May and concludes in early August. The indoor season is TBA. Registration and Cost Beloit Flyers/AAU Yearly Membership Fee Practice Time (see Practice Schedule) USATF Membership (fill-out USATF Form) AAU Membership (fill-out AAU form) Beloit Flyer T-Shirt Beloit Flyer Competitive Uniform $18.00 *Required $00.00 $20.00 Required if attending USATF Meets $12.00 *Required $15.00 $35.00 *Required
Competitions and Practices Track & Field Competitions: See Schedule of Events Track & Field Practices: Tuesday and Thursday 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM One-to-one Sessions may be scheduled with a coach on Sundays. The cost is $20 ($10 is donated to the club scholarship fund) Accident and Liability Insurance The Beloit Flyers Track Club is a member club of the AAU and USATF sanctioning organizations and in doing so all of our athletes, coaches, and club officers are provided with accidental and liability insurance beginning the date membership was paid and until the end of the membership year. The AAU membership year ends August 31st, the USATF membership year ends December 31st. Each are separate and are secondary accidental and liability insurance. It is accident insurance, not health insurance – it won’t cover health examinations, or other non-accidental medical expenses not relate to Beloit Flyers Track Club authorized activities. Becoming Part of the Club Registration. The Beloit Flyers Track Club registration fee for 2008 has been set at $20 for the first child in a Beloit Flyers resident family, $15 for the second child, and $5 for each additional child. To register an athlete, a family must complete a registration form (one per athlete), present a copy of the child’s birth certificate, and pay the required fee. The registration form asks parents to affirm that they have read this handbook. Registration forms can be obtained electronically at the club’s Website, (http://beloitflyers.tk) . An athlete may not practice with the club until the registration form, birth certificate, and fee (unless waived) have been received. Introductory Registration 2008. Introductory registration for new athletes and parents is scheduled for Monday, May 26th from 12:00 – 4:00 PM at the Beloit Memorial High School’s Stadium. There will be a Team Registration Table where you can ask questions and registration forms and turn in a copy of the athletes birth certificate. Also on that day, Beloit Flyers will be hosting both an open invitational and the Hershey Meet at 12:00 noon. Here you will be able to view athletes performing various events. Each event will be clearly marked with signage for recognition purposes. Be aware there are ―age group‖ limitations on some events (ie. Triple Jump minimum age grouping is Youth and older). Registrations will also be accepted via mail at; Beloit Flyers c/o Kevin Wood 918 E. Grand Ave. Beloit, WI 53511 New families should contact Kevin Wood at coachdad1067@yahoo.com or (608) 201-7556 to review the information covered at this orientation session. Where does the money go? Of the registration fee, $12.00/athlete goes to the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU). AAU provides insurance coverage, trains and certifies coaches and officials, and conducts regional and national competitions. Approximately $35 goes towards the Beloit Flyers Uniform. Approximately $15 per athlete will be used to purchase a T-shirt for each athlete (optional). The
remaining funds will be used for such expenses as registering the club and its coaches; obtaining additional training for coaches; providing a certificate of insurance to the school district; purchasing and storing equipment; first aid materials; Xeroxing and postage and other expenses assessed to us to maintain a 501(c)3 status. The club leadership is committed to openness in accounting should any member families desire more specific details on revenues and expenditures. Who’s making these decisions? The club board for 2008 consists of Kevin Wood (president), Sue Pohlman (vice president), Gaylynn Whitson (treasurer/secretary). Additional parent volunteers are still needed in many roles, regardless of experience, to help the club succeed. Financial hardships. We do not want the registration fee to become an obstacle to any child’s participation. Should the fee pose a hardship, please contact a member of the leadership team confidentially. All fees except the $12/athlete that goes to AAU can be waived if necessary. Uniforms and other apparel. Athletes participate in meets wearing the Beloit Flyers track uniforms, including both tops and shorts. Except for relay teams (who must wear matching outfits), athletes are not required to wear standard club uniforms in order to compete; however, for the benefit of team spirit, it is preferred that the athlete’s uniform show a connection to Beloit Flyers. If an athlete wishes to wear an outfit without Beloit Flyers identification, the club can make arrangements for that outfit to have a Beloit Flyers logo added to it at minimal charge. Equipment. No equipment is required other than shirt, shorts, good sweat socks, and comfortable running shoes. Athletes intending to compete in running events may wish to purchase sprinting or distance running spikes, but this is not required. Specialty shoes exist for most of the field events (e.g., there are shoes made specifically for shot putters, javelin throwers, long jumpers, and high jumpers), but few youth athletes consider these shoes until they are in high school or have reached a very high performance level. Suitable shoes can be found online at Eastbay, probably the best place to start if investigating specialty shoes. Widely recognized local expertise in shoe fitting is also available at Movin’Shoes in Madison (http://www.movinshoesmadison.com/). Contact a coach if you have further questions about shoes or spikes. All other equipment will be provided by the club. Of course, athletes who want to develop their skills further may wish to purchase their own equipment (such as starting blocks, practice hurdles, or throwing implements) so that they can train at times other than regular club practices. Eastbay, M-F Athletic, and other suppliers sell a full range of track and field equipment. See a coach for more information if interested. Club directory. To assist families in getting to know each other and arranging carpools, a club directory will be produced and distributed electronically following the registration period. Please indicate on the registration form if you would NOT like to have your contact information included in the directory. Club communication. The club will send a newsletter to all members by electronic mail essential information for the upcoming week. Please contact the head coach if you do not receive e-mail. If you cannot receive e-mails, let us know and we will arrange another way for you to receive essential information contained in the newsletter. Information will also be available on the club’s Web site.
How Practices Are Conducted Dates and times. The first Beloit Flyers Track Club practice of 2008 is scheduled for Monday, March 31, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. We will hold practice 6:00 – 7:30 PM on Tues/Thurs. Watch for weekly updates. The practice schedule may have to change for various reasons, such as the availability of coaches or the scheduling with Beloit Memorial High School. Check email communications carefully for any changes. Recommended frequency of attendance. We recommend that athletes attend practice at least twice a week in order to benefit from the training plan. Taking attendance, avoiding attrition. We will attempt to take attendance at all practices for the first six weeks of the season by having athletes give their names to a designated parent, who will be equipped with a membership list, at the begin of practice. The main purpose of taking attendance is to notice when an athlete is not attending practice and to check if there is a problem. We understand that some athletes may decide to drop out, but we value every youth and do not want anyone to ―slip through the cracks.‖ We also want to find out if an athlete or family has any unaddressed concerns or dissatisfaction with the club. Practice rules. Athletes participating in practices are expected to observe the following rules: Show up five minutes early if at all possible, to report to the attendance coordinator and loosen up before the initial jogging. Bring suitably layered clothing for the weather conditions, or for any possible changes in weather conditions. You don’t want to be stuck running in sweats when you get warm or stuck shivering in a T-shirt and shorts if a storm breezes in. Bring a full water bottle and keep it with you when going to your practice area. Smile a lot (except when working hard). Do not leave the practice area, for a restroom stop or for any other purpose, without your coach’s permission. Be attentive to coaches’ instructions. No horseplay. No unsupervised use of hurdles or high jump mats. Retain an encouraging, positive attitude toward teammates; no teasing or bullying. Advise your coach if you are coming to practice following another athletic activity, so that we do not unintentionally push you to overwork. Advise your coach immediately if you become ill during practice or experience physical pain. Be extremely attentive to the safety precautions specific to each field event. Never step onto the track or change lanes without looking for oncoming runners or walkers. Be courteous and respectful to others on the track. Bring any concerns directly to the attention of club leadership (with a parent’s assistance if you wish). Please do not gossip or complain to others; rather, go directly to those who can help with the problem.
Parents at practice. The club leadership requests that all sub-bantam athletes (those born in 2000 or later) have a parent or another designated adult present while the athlete is practicing. We know that younger athletes sometimes have special needs, greater difficulty in completing a full practice, or shorter
attention spans; we want them to be as fully involved as possible without becoming disruptive to the practice. Other parents are welcome to stay at practice to watch. Parent helpers needed at practice. Practices will run much more smoothly if one parent is available to help a coach at each venue. These parent roles require no experience or specialized knowledge. For example, the sprinter group can use a parent to keep children in line or show them where to stop running; the distance group can use a parent to time laps; the long jump coach will need someone to rake the pit between jumps; the high jump coach will need help in setting up the bar or changing its height between jumpers; the throwing coach will need help in retrieving thrown implements, or in ensuring that no one accidentally gets in the way of a thrown implement. Parents who are willing to help in this way even once a week will make a significant contribution. Please indicate on the registration form if you are willing to help in this way. Parking should be near the tennis court (next to the school building) or across the street from the High School. Restrooms. The restrooms are in the building near the stadium seats. Remember to inform your coach when you are leaving your workout area to go to the restroom. Practice cancellation. We never announce a practice cancellation due to weather. Rather, we will always attempt to hold practice unless the weather forecast suggests that it will be absolutely fruitless to do so. If you don’t feel the weather on a particular night is conducive to practicing, don’t show up! If threatening weather during practice poses a risk to athletes, practice will be interrupted or canceled. Parents should come to the track immediately if threatening conditions arise during a practice, so that coaches are not forced to remain with stranded athletes. The building that houses the restrooms will be used as shelter areas. Track Meets Schedule and locations. When you register for the Beloit Flyers you will be given a Schedule Of Events this will also be available on the website along with directions. If you have any further need for assistance please contact the Kevin Wood – Head Coach at 608-201-7556. Release form. Each meet will require a parent to sign a release form before an athlete may compete in one of these meets. We will have these available for those parents not attending meets with their children on the website and at the practices if possible. Cost and entries. Local meets cost approximately $4 - $7 per event. Athletes can enter up to three events. Information on how to submit entries will be provided later. Order of events. An order of events is indicated for each meet. Events on the track follow this order, but at most local meets field events can be called at any time and in any order. Accordingly, athletes entering a field event should plan to arrive at the beginning of the meet. Families not wanting to be stuck at a meet all day should sign up for track events and avoid the ones at the end of the meet order.
Event announcements and sign-in. Meet announcers advise athletes of upcoming events by making a first call, (usually) second call, and final call. Listen carefully for event calls, especially for field events. You do not want to miss an event! At the first call, athletes should assemble their equipment and make a bathroom stop if necessary. By the second call, they should be on their way to the check-in tent (for track events) or the field venue. Athletes not present shortly after the final call are at risk of being disqualified from their events. Athletes should take sufficient clothing with them in order to stay warm, as they may be at the check-in area for up to half an hour before their event. They should also keep track of where they place shoes or warm-up outfits so as to return for them promptly after their race.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is a track meet?
A track meet is a one, two, or three-day event that takes place rain or shine at a stadium or outdoor track. Meets generally take place at the club or school that is hosting the meet. The club or school will send out details about the meet to other clubs in advance. The clubs will then send back information on the athletes that will be competing at the meet. Track meets are normally held on Saturdays and begin at 8 or 9 a.m. and end around 3 or 4 p.m. (Athletes only need to stay for their events; it is not required for them to stay for duration of the track meet!) Please note that all track meets require a participation fee--typically ranging from $4 - $6 per event, per athlete. Newcomers to track and field often ask; What is the order of events for a track meet?" There is a standard ordering of events that most official track & field events follow. Sprinting usually go first, then middistance, long-distance, and then relays typically are last. What about the field events? Well, they are taking place simultaneously with the track events (so your athlete may need to go from a field event to a race on the track--the coaches will tell them about how to do this). Here's the order for the field events, some of which run concurrent with one another: Events usually proceed from youngest to oldest age groups. Athletes should listen to the public address announcer's call for athletes to report to their events (i.e., "first call," "second call," and "final call). 2. What is a track event?
Any event that takes place on the track surface is a track event. This includes sprints, hurdles, middle distance, distance, and relays, race walks. Sprints (100 and 200 meters): The most popular events, especially among the youngest athletes. Both involve running in an assigned lane for a relatively short distance. 100 meters is one straightaway of the track; 200 meters is half a lap, with a staggered start on the far side of the
track. The youngest athletes usually begin from a standing start; older athletes learn to use starting blocks. Middle distance (400 and 800 meters): More demanding races, especially at the younger ages (400 meters, or one lap of the track, is a long way for most sub-bantams). Sprinters with high work ethic and determination are most likely to succeed in the 400. At middle distances, runners must learn to pace themselves rather than just running as hard as they can. Long distance (1500, 3000, 5000 meters): These events require more training, determination, and pain tolerance than the shorter events, but also offer more hope for medals and ribbons: at a typical local meet, there may be 30 to 40 bantam boys running the 100 meters, but only half a dozen running the 1500 meters. Cross-country runners typically select these events. Relays: Teams are comprised of four athletes, each of whom runs one-quarter of the race. Each athlete must carry a baton and hand it to the next runner within a designated exchange zone, marked on the track and 20 meters long. The most common relay race is known as 4x100 (spoken ―4 by 100‖), which means that each runner covers approximately 100 meters; there are also 4x400 and 4x800 relays. At most local meets, relays count as one of the maximum three events in which athletes may participate. Hurdles: These sprint races involve the additional challenge of clearing a series of barriers placed at regular intervals on the track. At the midget level, the 80-meter race includes eight hurdles placed at intervals of 7.5 meters (a smaller interval than in high school, to suit the smaller size of the athletes). The hurdles also are not as high—only 30 inches, compared to 33 inches for high-school girls and 39 inches for high-school boys. The specifications change slightly for youth boys and girls and then, by the intermediate age group, reach the intervals and hurdle heights used in high school. The 80-, 100-, and 110-meter races require a combination of speed and technique in order to clear the hurdles with a consistent sprinting stride. Beginning at the youth age level, there are also longer hurdle races (200 or 400 meters), which are more physically grueling, with the hurdles 35 meters apart. Racewalk: An event seldom noticed in the United States, but of considerable international prominence. Competitors must have one foot touching the ground at all times and may not walk with ―bent knee‖; that is, their knee must be straight each time the foot hits the ground at the conclusion of a step. During a racewalk competition, judges are positioned on the track to warn or disqualify athletes who fail to observe these two simple but demanding rules. To move fast and maximize distance per stride, good racewalkers learn to swing their arms and rotate their hips in a distinctive fashion. To racewalk successfully also requires significant endurance, as few bantams or even midgets can cover 1500 meters with proper racewalk form in less than 10 minutes. Not many athletes attempt this event, so the pathway to regional and national championships is often wide open for the few who do.
3.
What is a field event?
A field event is any event that takes place off the track on areas surrounding the track, such as throws and jumps. Events such as javelin, discus, shop put, long jump, high jump, triple jump, or pole vault are considered field events.
Long jump: The easiest field event to learn, but not easy to do well. Athletes sprint down a runway and jump into a sand-filled pit. The jump is then measured from a line or board at the end of the runway to the closest place where the athlete’s body landed. Athletes must learn to run with a consistent gait (so as to place their last step near the takeoff mark and not waste distance by jumping from too far back or foul by stepping beyond the mark) and to transfer their energy from a fast sprint to an upward leap. Advanced athletes also learn motions in the air so as to remain aloft as long as possible and pull their legs forward. Triple jump: Competed on the same type of runway as the long jump, but more complex. After sprinting to the takeoff line, the athlete takes three steps in a hop-skip-jump mode—either right foot, right foot, left foot or left, left, right—and then lands in the pit. Distance is measured from the takeoff line to the final landing point. This event is not introduced until the youth age group. High jump: Athletes run up to a bar from the left or right side and then attempt to jump over it, landing on a mat without knocking the bar off the standards on which it rests. Athletes are normally taught to arch their back, turn their head and shoulders over the bar first, raise the hips, and finally pull the legs up and over the bar as the upper body falls. This is a technically difficult event and a highly emotional one as well, because of the immediate and publicly visible sense of success or failure. Athletes get three attempts at each height; the bar is raised two inches at a time until the winner is determined. For bantams, the bar is initially placed at three feet or even lower in an effort to help each competitor succeed at least once. Pole vault: Pole-vaulters sprint down a runway carrying a long pole and then plant the end of the pole in a depressed box, causing the athlete to swing up into the air and attempt to clear a bar as in the high jump. Athletes in the youth age group (13-14 years) are eligible to enter the pole vault. Anyone with a strong desire to learn this event should contact the coaching staff to discuss possible training options. Shot put: Athletes standing in a ring seven feet in diameter attempt to ―put‖ (not throw) a heavy ball as far as possible without stepping out of the ring. The ball or ―shot‖ weighs six pounds for bantams, midgets, and youth girls and increases in weight for older age groups. Discus: Using a spinning motion to gain momentum, athletes attempt to throw a hard disc as far as possible. As with the shot put, athletes must remain within a defined ring (eight feet in diameter). The discus is introduced at the midget age group. Javelin and turbo-javelin: The javelin differs from the other two throwing events in that athletes’ approach is not limited to a ring. Instead, they approach a line with a run of seven to 15 steps and then release the javelin, throwing it as far as possible without stepping over the line. The javelin is introduced at the youth age group. Since 2001, bantams and midgets have been able to enjoy this event safely by competing with plastic, 300-gram ―turbo-javelins‖ developed by former Olympic javelin thrower Tom Petranoff.
4.
Can my child compete in all events?
The events your child can compete in are determined by their age. There is one ―grouping‖ of events available to those who qualify.
Multi-event competitions: Most people are familiar with the Olympic decathlon, which adds up competitors’ scores on ten events over a two-day period. USA Track and Field introduces the multi-event experience at the bantam level with a triathlon, comprised of the high jump, shot put, and one-track race (400 meters for boys, 200 meters for girls). At the midget and youth levels, the multi-event competition is a pentathlon: hurdles, shot put, high jump, long jump, and a longer-distance run (1500 meters for boys, 800 meters for girls), still all completed in one day. At the intermediate level, the Olympic challenges are introduced: decathlon for boys and heptathlon (seven events) for girls spread over two days. Multi-event participation can be uniquely rewarding, as it offers wide-ranging physical training and the chance to spend a whole day in the company of some of the region or nation’s most elite athletes. Anyone with aspirations to be a multi-event competitor should begin practicing the high jump and (for midgets or youths) hurdles early in the season, as these events can seldom be mastered quickly. Multievent competitions do not count in the three- or four-event entry limits at championship meets. 5. How do we register our child for a meet?
Please see the Schedule of Events form and indicate which meets you wish to attend. When you have handed that in we will ensure you have the proper forms to fill-out prior to the meet. If the meet does not have pre-registration information out then registration will be available upon arrival on the meet day. Some meets require online registration. If this is the case The Club will sign-up each athlete as part of the team IF money has been turned in for your athlete. 6. What are USATF and an AAU athlete numbers?
Each registered athlete will receive a card from USATF and AAU each with a different designated number. This number is used for identification and tracking of the athlete. These membership fees were paid upon registration with Beloit Flyers Track Club. 7. When I get to a meet, what do I do?
Locate the person assigned by the club to pick up our meet package. Pick up your meet participant number and attach it to your Beloit Flyers Track Club uniform. Check the area where the event information is set up to determine the event locations and starting times for each one. Find out where the events are being marshaled. Listen to the P.A. system, and when your age group is called make your way to the marshalling area. Events are allowed to run 30 minutes early, but many times run late. You will have to keep tabs on how events are being run throughout the day. 8. What do you mean by ‘being marshaled’?
This is where all the athletes that are competing in a specific event gather together before the event. 9. When should an athlete arrive at the track?
An athlete should arrive at least 1/2 hour before his/her event is scheduled to start. 10. What happens if I have a conflicting track event and field event?
This scenario happens often, and sometimes you need to make a choice on what event you would prefer to compete in and scratch the other one. Officials will not generally hold up a field event for a track event unless they are ahead of schedule. This is a track and field reality and you will just have to accept that things are not always going to run on schedule and you may not be able to compete in all the events you wanted to. In many situations, you may be able to register and get one attempt in at the field event, then run your track event and return to the field event. At this point, you may have missed a round, but
may be able to get back in at the round they are currently running. It is a long season you will have plenty of time to participate in events. 11. What is an official?
Those dedicated souls that volunteer their time and effort, and try to make sure that events are run on time and are judged fairly. 12. Do events run on time?
More often than not, NO! The number of athletes competing is the major reason that events run behind the scheduled time. It is not unusual to have 30 or more athletes waiting to compete in the long jump. When you consider that each athlete gets three jumps, each jump needs to be measured, and the pit raked each time, you realize how time consuming this can be. There is no reason to be rude or abusive to any official. Remember they are giving up their weekends so that your children can enjoy the track and field experience. 13. What should I take to a Meet?
Your Beloit Flyers uniform, spikes, running shoes, blankets, chairs, tarps, pop up canopies, umbrellas, a change of clothing, a healthy picnic lunch and snacks, water, sun screen, hat and a positive attitude! 14. Do I have to attend all meets?
No. Beloit Flyers Track Club supports team spirit and recommends all athletes attend as many meets as possible. 15. What is a BFTC Athletics Award?
At the end of the year, Beloit Flyers Track Club (BFTC) hosts a banquet to recognize those athletes that have had outstanding performances during the season. 16. Is there recognition for outstanding performances?
Yes. The Club encourages athletes to always strive for THEIR PERSONAL BEST. At the end of the season, usually in November, we host a banquet and recognize many of our athletes for their outstanding results, effort and attitude. 17. How can I learn more about track and field?
Beloit Flyers Track Club offers workshops. The Club will attempt to support those members that want to learn how to coach and officiate. 18. What is the best advice that I can give my child who is just starting?
Emphasize development, not winning or losing. The top runners in the world are in their late twenties and early thirties - think of all the years you have to develop. Think of the positive aspects of running; being outdoors, having a healthy heart and lungs, and running can be a lifelong skill. Enjoy and have fun!