Important Short Track Rule Changes for 2012By Susan Ellis, October 2012
Note: The information in some tips may have changed since these articles were written as rules have changed over the years. Some have been updated and some have not. Please consult the ISU rules manual for the most current rules. |
Try not to become a man of success but rather try to become a man of value. ~ Albert Einstein |
At the last ISU Congress the following rule changes were made:
Starting Positions on line for 500 and 1000m
For 500 and 1000 meters: Starting at 50 cm from the inner side of the track, dots 2 cm diameter shall mark five (5) starting positions every 1.3 meters in order to define the starting positions.
Starting Procedures
a) - if a skater is late in arriving at the start line, a warning shall be issued and the skater advised...." warning - delay of start". This is only for initial late arrival at the start.
- if a skater is extremely slow in returning to the start line after a false start or fall, the starter has to use his/her discretion to determine if such action is deliberate.
- if a skater is slow going down causing other skaters to wait, then a false start shall be issued to that skater.
b) - if two false starts are issued against the race, then after the second occurrence the starter shall advise all skaters "This Race has two false starts".
- the next false start - regardless of which skater incurred it - will result in that skater being advised "Position Number....False Start, Penalty"
Scenarios:
i) Position 1 is issued a warning for delay of start - late arrival at starting line at the beginning of the race. No impact on the other skaters.
Position 2 issued false start. Skater advised and no impact on other skaters.
Position 3 issued a false start. Skater advised and all skaters advised THIS RACE HAS TWO FALSE STARTS.
The next false start - to any skater - will result in a penalty to that skater.
ii) Position 1 is issued a warning for delay of start - late arrival at starting line at the beginning of the race. No impact on the other skaters.
Position 2 issued false start. Skater advised and no impact on other skaters.
Position 1 issued a false start. Position 1 receives a penalty and is excluded from the next start. The previously issued warning is considered as a false start only against that skater. The reason for this is that a warning should NOT impact the other skaters.
After the exclusion of Position 1, the remaining skaters (having moved over so there are no "gaps" on the start line) will be advised THIS RACE HAS TWO FALSE STARTS.
iii) if a skater's blade is in or over the starting line, then the starter shall tell the skater to move his skate back. If the situation is repeated by the same skater, then a false start shall be issued. This false start is against the skater and the field.
iv) if there is a fall before the apex and the race is called back, then any warnings/false starts that have issued remain in effect.
v) if a race is stopped by the Referee due to injury, etc. and subsequently restarted, then any warnings/ false starts that have been issued remain in effect.
To better define the "interval" between Ready and the Gun Shot, ISU has set 0.8seconds as the preferred interval. This, of course, is after all skaters are absolutely still.
Field of Play
The "Field of Play" during Short Track Speed Skating competitions are the ice surface, the immediate surroundings, heatbox, coach’s box, Officials restricted area and any other so designated areas.
Points and classifications
In the case of a tie, all Skaters involved in a tie will receive the points awarded for that finish position (e.g. tie on 2nd both Skaters will receive 21 pts.). If two Skaters are involved in a tie, the points for the following finish place will not be awarded, in the case of three Skaters involved, the following 2 finish places will not be awarded.
For each of the distances a classification will be made in which the participants are ranked:
For any intermediate classifications:
Sanctions for Coaches, Team Leaders and Support Staffs
Coaches, Team Leaders and Support Staffs are subject to the conditions of the General Regulations. Failure to observe these Rules and/or misconduct can result in the following sanctions;
Yellow Card: suspension from the Field of Play for the day.
Red Card: suspension from the Event/Competition with removal of the accreditation.
Determination of Lead Skater in Right of Way at Corner Entry
When approaching the corner the lead skater is determined by the tip of the skate blade at the first block.
Scenarios:
a) Two skaters are approaching the corner at the same time. The inside skater is in the lead as determined by the skate blade at the first block. The outside skater collides with the inside skater as they enter the turn. The outside skater is penalized.
b) Two skaters are approaching the corner at the same time. The outside skater is in the lead as determined by the skate blade at the first block. The inside skater collides with the outside skater as they enter the turn. The inside skater is penalized.
Starting Positions on line for 500 and 1000m
For 500 and 1000 meters: Starting at 50 cm from the inner side of the track, dots 2 cm diameter shall mark five (5) starting positions every 1.3 meters in order to define the starting positions.
Starting Procedures
a) - if a skater is late in arriving at the start line, a warning shall be issued and the skater advised...." warning - delay of start". This is only for initial late arrival at the start.
- if a skater is extremely slow in returning to the start line after a false start or fall, the starter has to use his/her discretion to determine if such action is deliberate.
- if a skater is slow going down causing other skaters to wait, then a false start shall be issued to that skater.
b) - if two false starts are issued against the race, then after the second occurrence the starter shall advise all skaters "This Race has two false starts".
- the next false start - regardless of which skater incurred it - will result in that skater being advised "Position Number....False Start, Penalty"
Scenarios:
i) Position 1 is issued a warning for delay of start - late arrival at starting line at the beginning of the race. No impact on the other skaters.
Position 2 issued false start. Skater advised and no impact on other skaters.
Position 3 issued a false start. Skater advised and all skaters advised THIS RACE HAS TWO FALSE STARTS.
The next false start - to any skater - will result in a penalty to that skater.
ii) Position 1 is issued a warning for delay of start - late arrival at starting line at the beginning of the race. No impact on the other skaters.
Position 2 issued false start. Skater advised and no impact on other skaters.
Position 1 issued a false start. Position 1 receives a penalty and is excluded from the next start. The previously issued warning is considered as a false start only against that skater. The reason for this is that a warning should NOT impact the other skaters.
After the exclusion of Position 1, the remaining skaters (having moved over so there are no "gaps" on the start line) will be advised THIS RACE HAS TWO FALSE STARTS.
iii) if a skater's blade is in or over the starting line, then the starter shall tell the skater to move his skate back. If the situation is repeated by the same skater, then a false start shall be issued. This false start is against the skater and the field.
iv) if there is a fall before the apex and the race is called back, then any warnings/false starts that have issued remain in effect.
v) if a race is stopped by the Referee due to injury, etc. and subsequently restarted, then any warnings/ false starts that have been issued remain in effect.
To better define the "interval" between Ready and the Gun Shot, ISU has set 0.8seconds as the preferred interval. This, of course, is after all skaters are absolutely still.
Field of Play
The "Field of Play" during Short Track Speed Skating competitions are the ice surface, the immediate surroundings, heatbox, coach’s box, Officials restricted area and any other so designated areas.
Points and classifications
In the case of a tie, all Skaters involved in a tie will receive the points awarded for that finish position (e.g. tie on 2nd both Skaters will receive 21 pts.). If two Skaters are involved in a tie, the points for the following finish place will not be awarded, in the case of three Skaters involved, the following 2 finish places will not be awarded.
For each of the distances a classification will be made in which the participants are ranked:
- by group/block; Finalists, Semi-Finalists, Quarter-Finalists, etc.;
- by position (finish place) within the respective group;
- by position (finish place) within the subsequent previous Qualifying Rounds;
- by best time in any race over the distance concerned;
- further ties will not be broken for Final Classifications.
For any intermediate classifications:
- in the case of equal times over the distance, a draw will take place to establish the order;
- in the case where there are no time(s) available, a draw will take place for the respective Skaters/Teams to determine their rank in comparison to the others with the same position (finish place).
Sanctions for Coaches, Team Leaders and Support Staffs
Coaches, Team Leaders and Support Staffs are subject to the conditions of the General Regulations. Failure to observe these Rules and/or misconduct can result in the following sanctions;
Yellow Card: suspension from the Field of Play for the day.
Red Card: suspension from the Event/Competition with removal of the accreditation.
Determination of Lead Skater in Right of Way at Corner Entry
When approaching the corner the lead skater is determined by the tip of the skate blade at the first block.
Scenarios:
a) Two skaters are approaching the corner at the same time. The inside skater is in the lead as determined by the skate blade at the first block. The outside skater collides with the inside skater as they enter the turn. The outside skater is penalized.
b) Two skaters are approaching the corner at the same time. The outside skater is in the lead as determined by the skate blade at the first block. The inside skater collides with the outside skater as they enter the turn. The inside skater is penalized.