• A guide or caller can be used to guide athletes so they can compete safely and fairly.  
• Ask the athlete if they need this and what is their chosen method. Beginner athletes will need to try out different methods until they find the one most suitable to them.   
• Anyone chosen by the athlete can act as a guide.  

Tips for guides 

• Trust is key. 
• Start slowly when you first begin guiding to be familiar with the athlete. 
• Be alert. The role of the guide is to support the athlete to attend the whole meet not just the event/s. 
• Ask the athlete which side they want you on. 
• Use the athlete’s other arm as a visual guide to keep in step for running events. You should be in sync with both arm and leg movements (as in a three-legged race – but attached at the hands). 
• Use verbal cues during a race with simple, quick words.
  • How far to the end – 50 m, 20 m, 10 m. 
  • Directional guidance – straight, veer left, veer right. 
• You may assist the athlete to familiarize themselves with the area.
  • Detailed descriptions. 
  • Physically move through the area to feel objects and gauge distances. 

Run + verbal cues only 

• The athlete will use the guides simple verbal cues to compete.

Run + Elbow lead  

• The athlete cannot be pulled or pushed.  
• The athlete and guide stay closer than 0.5m apart. 
• The athlete is allocated 2 lanes (one each for the athlete and guide).  
• The athlete will decide if the tether needs to be tight or loose. Start with the tether being long enough for arm movement and short enough to be responsive to changes in direction.  
• Loop through fingers not around wrist for safety in case anyone falls over. 

Run + Rigid Hand-held Tether  

• The athlete cannot be pulled or pushed.  
• The athlete and guide stay closer than 0.5m apart. 
• The athlete is allocated 2 lanes (one each for the athlete and guide).  

Long Jump + Caller  

• The athlete can have a caller to guide them down the runway.  
• Caller stands either beside the takeoff point or beyond athlete’s landing point in the pit. 
• Athlete faces the pit for run up.
  • Athlete places both hands together and point to the direction of the pit. If incorrect, the caller asks the athlete to point to the left or right. 
  • Athletes may be helped with a guide who directs them to the middle of the runway.  
• If at any stage it appears the athlete will miss the pit, the caller must call “abort” and the athlete re-starts the attempt. 
• There is no one rule about how to guide down the runway.
  • Shouting
    • Use a “number system” (based on track lane numbers).  
    • Assume the athlete is in lane 4 when running straight in the middle of the lane. The caller repeats the word “four”.  
    • If the athlete moves to the right of the Centre, the caller shouts out “3” 
    • If the athlete moves to the left of the Centre, the caller shouts “5”. 
    • The caller shouts “5” or “3” until the athlete has moved to the Centre, and then calls “4”.  
  • Counting
    • Caller stands behind the middle of the pit.  
    • Caller count strides and athlete jumps when counting stops or when reach pre-determined number. 
  • Clapping
    • Caller stands behind the middle of the pit.  
    • Caller claps from behind the pit to guide the direction. 

High Jump + Caller 

• The athlete can have a caller to guide their approach and timing of the jump.  
• Allow the athlete to touch the bar before the jump so they know how high it is. 
• Hang a bright ribbon over the bar.  
• Beginners can practice without a cross bar, then with a flexible bar until they are confident in their jump.  
• There is no one rule about how to guide in high jump.
  • Clapping
    • Caller positions themself in front of the jump bar and mat (caller steps back before the jump so they do not get in the way).  
    • Hands clap at the position and height that the athlete will cross the bar.  
    • Clap to guide the direction.  

Throws + Caller  

• Be aware of safety of spectators.  
• Consider visual support to the field.
  • Paint, chalk, powder, cones or flags to help orientate the throw.  
• Offer the implement or place it in their hand.  
• Caller or guide can take the athlete into and then out of the circle or runway. 
• Caller will let the athlete know when the throwing area is clear.  
• Caller may use shouting or clapping from the field to orientate the athlete during the throw.  
• In the learning stages the athlete can use alternative equipment.
  • Bean bags or softballs (shot puts) 
  • Hoops (discus) 
  • Turbojavs (javelin). 

Can be modified at the Centre so athletes can participate. Please note that specific rules may apply to higher level competition. 

• You can modify the event.
• You can modify for safety when using equipment or a guide.
  • 2 lanes for athletes using a guide. 
• You can modify how a race is started
  • Athletes with vision impairment need a start signal they can hear.
    • They may also use a guide or auditory devices such as a Bluetooth speaker, using clapping or calling, or a megaphone.  
  • Athletes with hearing impairment need a signal they can see or feel.
    • A visual signal (a signal they can see) is preferred so the athlete maintains their autonomy.  A visual signal is when you use a hand or flag and say “get set” while you raise your hand and “go” as you lower your hand.   
  • Athletes with sensitivity to noise, which might be someone with Autism for example, also need a signal they can see. 
• Depending on the classification for higher level competition, athletes may need to follow specific rules.
  • Athletes with hearing impairment will need to take out their hearing aids. 
    • Athletes with vision impairment may wear an eye covering. 
• Guides are used differently.