Athletics

Modifications and Suggestions for Training and Competition

Track
1 Guide Running
a. B1. If the runner is blind or has little vision, use a guide runner. Have guide and blind runner hold opposite ends of a 2.5 foot length of rope loosely between 2nd and 3rd fingers. In early stages of guide running, a shorter rope may be used to increase confidence. Lengthen rope as runner gains confidence, since longer rope allows a more natural arm swing. A short tether (arms in unison) work well for some guide/competitor combinations. Don't tie or knot around fingers or wrist, since a fall could dislocate a joint. Start by walking, then jogging and then running on a track or other smooth running surface. The guide runs either alongside or slightly behind the runner. Competitors have varying opinions in regards to running on either the inside or outside of the guide. Give runner only minimal information about conditions, such as need to pass slower runners, etc.

b. B2. If runner has enough vision to follow, guide should wear easily seen colored shirt and place self in the "good visual spot" of runner and run either alongside or slightly behind. Use smooth safe surfaces underfoot in the beginning to avoid tripping; then gradually move to sidewalks, etc., if runner desires. Guide gives feedback about conditions underfoot.

If runner has enough vision to run safely without a guide, when practicing, use inside lane to make it easy to visually follow the curb/grass line. Practice moving from lane to lane, with the head down, watching the lane lines.

c. Click here for more information.

2 Distance racing
a. B1 and B2. If runner has little or no vision, use tether as above in B1 description. Runner gives instructions about speed, guide informs about other racers. Runner must cross finish line before guide to avoid disqualification.

b. B3. Standard International Association of Athletics Federations rules shall apply.

3 Sprint racing
a. B1 with guide runner. Best speeds accomplished with guide runner, as opposed to other methods used in the past. Each guide/runner team uses two lanes. Much practice coming out of starting blocks is required.

b. B1 "calling." Independent sprints can be done with "calling." If it's a 50-meter race, place a caller behind the finish line and facing the runner in lane 4. Caller cups hands and yells "Point at me," readjusting pointing line, if runner is not accurate. When satisfied that runner knows running direction, Caller yells "ready, mark, set, go!" As runner approaches, caller repeatedly and loudly yells runner's lane number through cupped hands and at runner. Example "Four, four, four, four!" If runner veers to his or her right, caller yells "Five , five, five!" with a stronger emphasis until runner returns to lane 4. If runner veers more than one lane, caller yells "Stop!" Caller must move out of the way before blocking the runner to let him/her pass and then yells "Finished!" at finish line crossing. If 100 meters, use two callers, dropping the first out at 40 or 50m and place the second behind the finish line where he/she picks up the calling until the finish. Be aware that if Caller stays in runner's path too long, it may hinder runners who think they will collide with the Caller. NOTE: CALLERS ARE FOR USE IN TRAINING ONLY. THIS TECHNIQUE IS NOT ALLOWED IN CONTINENTAL, WORLD OR PARALYMPIC COMPETITION.

c. B1 guide wires. Many residential schools for students who are blind still have 50M sprint tracks composed of stretched wires, which allow 2 to 4 runners to hold the wires and compete side by side. This method is considered out of vogue because it slows runners down compared to running with a guide, but provides a good sprint practice track.

d. B2 sprinters. As discussed above, B2 sprinters may use guide runners. Much practice is needed to ensure a successful start as both runners must start from blocks.

e. B3 sprinters. Standard IAAF rules shall apply.

4 Relay Racing
a. B1. The baton exchange requires some modification for B1 runners. The primary differences in the exchange are increased communication between the runners and a modified hand-off. The waiting runner begins to yell the runners name at standard intervals of one second or so. Please note, calling the in-coming runners name will only work in practice and the approaching runner yells "go" when in position. The awaiting runner holds the arm straight out from his/her side, rather than straight behind, but the receiving hand is still held in the traditional way. The approaching runner swings down on the waiting runner's arm and slides the baton to the right and into the waiting hand. Obviously, this exchange is more complex than normal and takes a good deal of practice to be efficient.

b. B2 and B3. All important "targets" in the exchange are made more visible. That is, baton with stripes and brightly gloved receiving hand can be used with the above adaptations to the degree the runners' vision requires. Please note that the baton cannot be altered in any way during competition. Also, the runner with the least amount of vision might be placed in the last position of the relay, since the exchange is only receptive and less complex.

Cross Country Racing
1 B1. See distance running above, but the guide must describe the running surfaces that the runners are approaching. Much repetition across troublesome parts of a course is recommended before a race. Also, better than average ankle support should be used.

2 B2 and B3. See distance running above. Cross country races add the additional problems of unpredictable footing and staying on the course. If running without a guide, be sure about places where poor footing is known and practice. Also, mark places on the course where it is easy to take a wrong turn with large highly color contrasting signs, flashy ribbons, etc.

Field Events
1 Shot Put
a. B1. Assuming the shot put facility is standard, that is, that it has an inset concrete or raised steel ring and a stop board in the front, there is little adaptation needed. Since the problem is only in keeping the shot within the throwing boundaries. The athlete can stay within the throwing circle because it is tactual and he/she can tell where the front of the circle is because of the stop board. A towel or other article left just outside the back center can help for exact lining up at rear of ring for initiating the approach. If there is only a painted circle instead of a ring or stop board, affix a raised rope under two-inch tape over the painted circle and place towels or other articles just outside the front and back of ring for orientation.

b. B2 and B3. Same principles apply as for B1 athletes, except make kick box more easily visible by taping cross hatching or stripes on it with black or brightly colored two inch tape.

2 Discus Throwing
a. B1, B2, B3. If the discus area is standard and uses a raised circular ring, the only problem for a blind or LV thrower is knowing where the exact front and back are. As with shot put, simply leave towels or other articles just outside at those points, so the thrower can reach down and touch or use limited vision to see the center front and center back. The center front marker should obviously not be something easily tripped over. Again as in shot put, if there is only a painted circle and no raised ring, make a raised ring using two-inch vinyl tape and 1/8th inch cord taped under.

3 Long Jumping
a. B1. The major difficulties are staying on the running approach, hitting the board without fouling, and landing safely in the pit. The most independent and efficient adaptation is "calling." Place the jumper on the runway at a three step approach distance, place the caller facing jumper at end of sand pit, have caller yell "Here" and ask jumper to point directly at caller to verify alignment. Then have caller yell through cupped hand, "Okay-ready-go!-go!-go!-go!" The caller also has an abort command ("Stop!") if the jumper veers off the runway.

The board is adapted by making a lightly powdered three-foot section of runway three feet or so short of the pit. The jump distance is measured from the "footprint" in the powder, rather than in the usual way. Teaching when/where to jump is the same as with sighted jumpers. That is, by having the jumper count steps, not by telling the jumper when to jump. In fact, some B1 athletes have competed using a standard board. Number of approach steps starts with three and works up as far as possible for an optimal run and jump.

b. B2 and B3. The board can be made more visible with black or brightly colored stripes of two-inch vinyl tape. Orange cones may also be placed on each side of the take-off board for B2 competitors The last ten to twenty feet of runway can also be marked on both sides with two-four inches of brightly contrasting tape. If tape does not stick to the runway, it can be tacked down with small nails with large heads. Some B2 jumpers may also want a "caller".

4 High Jumping
a. B1. The major problem is the jumper's inability to locate the crossbar. As such, the only way high jump can be accomplished is through placing raised starting marks on the runway, then practicing the number of steps at which the jump is to be made. The direction of the run up can be done by hanging a beeper or other sound source on the bar or one on each of the crossbar standards. The learning part of this event is the most difficult and will require a good deal of task analysis, starting first with no crossbar and working up to using one.

Note: Sound devices are to be used only during training. During competition, B1 athletes are permitted to use a caller to provide acoustic orientation. The caller must stand in a position that does not hinder the event officials. B1 jumpers are, however, permitted to touch the bar as an aid to orientation before run-up. If on doing so, the athlete dislodges the bar this will not count as an attempted jump.

b.B2. The crossbar is generally striped black and white, but it can be made even more visible by hanging strips of two-inch black or bright orange tape from the crossbar. If the tape hangs about one foot, the bar is much more easily seen. Bright markers on the runway can also aid low vision jumpers in their approaches.

Equipment
1 Opaque Glasses. B1 athletes must wear approved opaque glasses or an appropriate substitute in all field events and all track events up to and including the 1500m when competing in a USABA, International Blind Sports Association or International Paralympic Committee sanctioned event. The opaque glasses or substitute must be approved by the responsible technical official. Glasses, once approved, must be available for checking at all times. When not competing, the athlete may remove the dark glasses or substitute.

Escorts and Guide Runner Access to Competition Areas
1 Only escorts or guide runners for B1 and B2 athletes will be permitted to accompany competitors onto the track or into throwing and jumping areas. Those persons acting as guides or escorts must be clearly identified.

2 Competitors in the B1 triple jump and the B1 long jump may use a caller to provide acoustic orientation during the approach run and a guide to assist in positioning the athlete on the runway.

3 B2 athletes for jumping events may be accompanied to the competition area by only one person, who may serve as caller and/or guide. No additional persons will be permitted in the competition area.

Guiding
1 B1 and 2 athletes are allowed to use a guide in competition; however, with few exceptions, they must furnish the guide.

As the blind runner crosses the finish line or enters the relay exchange box in the relay, the guide must be behind the athlete.

2 The method of guidance is the choice of the athlete. He or she may choose to use an elbow lead, tether or to run free. In addition, the runner may receive verbal instruction from the guide. Bicycles or other mechanical means of transport may not be used by guides.

3 At no time may the guide pull the athlete or propel the athlete forward by pushing. Infringement of this rule shall lead to disqualification.

4 Whether or not a tether is being used, the athlete and guide shall not be more than .50m apart at all times.

The United States Association of Blind Athletes, a member organization of the U.S. Olympic Committee, is a non-profit organization that provides training for blind and visually impaired athletes for competition in nine sports. USABA members range from blind children developing sports skills to elite athletes who train for competitions such as the Paralympic Games, which continually draws more than 4,000 disabled athletes.