Athletics is one of the most popular sports on the face of the planet. Every other day to day activities and other sports and games has something or the other that may involve the basics of athletics. This sport of athletics has a long history dating back to the early 700 BC in Greece. Slowly the game evolved and came into the sport of athletics that we know of. Modern athletics is basically two things one is the field events and the other being track event. Track events are those that involve running on the track, while field events involve jumping and throwing events.
Field events consume a lot of space when compared to the track event. And they follow their own set of rules and regulations. Here are all the field events that are officially in the sport of athletics.
Throwing events
Shot put
The aspherical metal ball that resembles the bullet of the cannon is used in this. This ball is called as shot and so the name shot put. If was first introduced in the Olympics in the year 1896. For men, the weight of the shot is 7.26 kg and 4 kg for women.
Rules of the game
One should keep near their neck and should not be moved until release.
The shot has to land within the field of play; if it falls away from the designated boundary then it is considered invalid.
The athlete is not supposed to cross the line of release at any point.
The farthest of all the contestants is declared the winner.
Hammer throw
When it was found actual hammers were used for this event, but as the game developed the instrument as got its modern shape. Now, it is a shot attached to metal wire that is put into use.
Rules of the game
The hammer is held with both hands and is made to swing in a to and fro motion.
Then the person holding the hammer spins on the same spot with one leg landed and the other wide open.
After 3-4 spins the hammer is released in the designated direction of play. Anything away from the field of play is not considered.
The athlete is not supposed to cross the line of release at any point.
The farthest of all the contestants is declared the winner.
Discus throw
This event is similar to hammer throw, instead of a hammer a circular disc is used here. The weight of the disc is 2 kg.
Rules of the game
The disc is held in one hand then the person spins for one and a half rotation before releasing the disc.
There are no rules to how the disc has to be released.
If the disc falls away from the field of play then it is not considered.
The athlete is not supposed to cross the line of release at any point.
The farthest of all the contestants is declared the winner.
Javelin throw
The throwing of a sphere is later converted into the sport which we all know as javelin throw. Initially, actual spheres were used, but as time progressed the sphere took its modern form. The sphere is thick and sharp at the head narrow and pointed at the other end. For men, the weight of the javelin is about 800 grams and for women, it is 600 grams.
Rules of the game
The athlete is given a runway which he can use to gain momentum for the throw.
The javelin has to be held above their shoulder during the run and release.
The athlete is not supposed to cross the line of release at any point.
The farthest of all the contestants is declared the winner.
Jumping events
High jump
The athlete takes a short run-up and jumps over a bar at a particular height. It was not until 1968 the practice of jumping head first and falling on the back came into existence. The founder of this jump is Dick Fosbury and the jump is named after him.
Rules of the game
At no point should the athlete disturb the bar that falls from its position.
An athlete is given 3 attempts to clear a particular height.
After every round, the height is increased. The person who jumps the highest and clears the jump with the bar falling from its stand is declared the winner.
Long jump
This is a game that decides who can jump the farthest.
Rules of the game
The athlete takes a long run and jump on a pit filled with sand.
The nearest point of contact from the actual take offline is considered for calculation.
The athlete is not supposed to cross the line of release at any point.
The farthest of all the contestants is declared the winner.
Triple jump
This is similar to long jump, but the athlete jumps thrice before landing on to the pit filled with sand.
Rules of the game
The athlete takes a long run and jumps off from a take off point.
From the initial take off the person has to jump consecutively 2 more times with just one leg at a time and land on the sandpit.
The nearest point of contact from the actual take off line is considered for calculation.
The athlete is not supposed to cross the line of release at any point.
The farthest of all the contestants is declared the winner.
Pole vault
The athlete takes a long pole and jumps over a bar that is kept a height that can only be crossed with the help of a pole.
Rules of the game
The athlete should make sure that the bar does not fall from its position while jumping.
Their pole has to be carried by the athlete in any position considered it does not touch the ground.
Every athlete is given 3 attempts to clear a particular height.
The athlete the jump the highest is declared the winner.
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