Technique 

• Run in a forward motion toward the finish line.
  • Look up and straight ahead. 
  • Land on the balls of feet. 
  • Lift knees high. 
  • Bend elbows and swing arms from shoulders. 
  • Take long strides and lean slightly forward. 
  • See the section on Frame Runners for more information.
• Wheel in a forward motion toward the finish line.
  • Look up and straight ahead. 
  • Arm push begins with hands on rim at 1-2 o’clock, push through to 6-7 o’clock, release.  
  • Lift elbows high and forward to reconnect at 1-2 o’clock. 
  • Use smooth fast strokes.  
  • Lean slightly forward (requires safe wheelchair set up). 
  • See the section on Race Wheelchairs for more information.

Race Technique 

• Official or Age Manager will show athletes to their lanes and the starting line. 
• When race starter says “On your Marks”.
  • Move up to stand behind the line. 
  • Point feet point in direction of run.  
  • Listen or look for the next instruction. 
• Race starter says “Set” (for races up to and including 400m).
  • Front leg forward and bent (behind line). 
  • Back leg bent and weight on balls of foot. 
  • Listen or look for the next instruction. 
• Race starter says “go”.
  • Listen for the bang of the gun and run. 
    Or
  • Look for the visual sign of arm lowering or light flash and run.  
• Race.
  • Run between the lines of your lane (for races up to and including 400m).
    Or 
  • Merge towards the inside lane when told to (for longer than 400m). 
  • Keep moving until you are past the end line. 

• Check out our webinar How to Modify Events for Athletes with Disability.
• Reduce the distance. 
• Assistive Technology (equipment) is used to support balance so the athlete can compete.
  • The athlete can use their everyday equipment. This is Assistive Technology that they use in their everyday life, not for a short-term injury.
    • Crutches.
    • Walking frame.
    • Wheelchair.
    • Orthotics.
    • Prosthetics.
  • Specialised Assistive Technology for athletics can be used.
    • Frame Runner.
    • Race Wheelchair.
    • Gloves.
  • Athletes may need a helper adult (for example parent or support worker or therapist) to use the equipment safely and effectively, especially when learning – ask the athlete what they need. 
• Think about lane allocations.
  • Athletes will likely need 2 lanes or a spare lane either side.  
  • Encourage the athlete to use the lane with the smoothest surface to reduce risk of injury due to reduced balance and body awareness. 
  • Sometimes the inside lane has a lip on the track which can be a tripping hazard. 
  • The outside lane has a gentler curve which is helpful if using equipment or the athlete needs help from an adult (for example parent or support worker or therapist). 
• Starter gun.
  • Visual signal is required for athletes with sensitivity to noise. They may also choose to wear ear muffs or start on the opposite side to the gun. 
  • Visual or touch signal required for deaf and hard of hearing athletes.
    • A visual signal is preferred for body autonomy.
    • Hand or flag raised on “get set” and lowered on “go”.
    • Athlete starts in lane 1 or 8 with the person signaling to stand to the same side. 
    • Gently tap the shoulder on “go”.  Stand out of the way of their start. 
  • Audible signal required for athletes with vision impairment. 
• For athletes with vision impairment, use a guide athlete. See the sensory page for more information.
• Use bright markers to show where to run. 

Officials – Time person  

• Pre-race.
  • Position yourself to see the race starter. 
  • Your timing device is on 0:00.00. 
  • Time a place rather than a lane or athlete. 
• When race starter indicates “go”.
  • Start timing when you see the smoke or light or arm lower. 
• To end race.
  • Stop the timing device when the torso of the athlete crosses the line. 
• When is a runner disqualified?
  • If the athlete runs in another lane (for races up to and including 400m). 
  • If an athlete interferes or impedes another athlete’s performance 

Officials – Race starter

• Pre-race.
  • Check time people are ready. 
  • Stand so that you can see all athletes. 
• When you say “On your Marks”.
  • Hold your arm parallel to the ground. 
  • Call the next command when athletes are steady. 
• When you say “Set”.
  • Move your arm above your head. 
  • If the athlete is unsteady, or moves before go, start the whole process again. Allow an approximation for appropriate athletes. 
• You say “go”.
  • Fire the gun and/or flash light. 
  • Lower arm. 

Recording  

• Record the time to the nearest tenth (10^th) of a second.