What are my responsibilities for throws safety?

Throws safety (shot put, discus, javelin) is an NFHS point of emphasis for both 2026 and 2027, and coaches share responsibility with officials and meet management:

• Warm-ups (new 2027, Rule 6-2-8): in shot put and discus, all warm-up attempts must be taken from inside the circle, facing the sector. Backward, over-the-head or similar attempts are banned.
• Supervision: athletes may not warm up in a throwing venue unless an event official or coach is supervising and the meet director has declared the venue open. After a warning, a repeat leads to disqualification from further competition (Rule 6-2-6, 2026 interpretation).
• Safety zone: each venue needs a flagged or roped zone outside the sector lines and beyond the farthest possible landing area.
• Cages: officials must inspect cages and fix holes or loose netting before throwing starts. If a cage can't be made legal, the referee may declare that the event won't be contested.
• Retrieving: never turn your back to the throwing area, and wait for an official's signal before retrieving implements.
• Foreign substances (new 2027, Rule 6-2-16b): substances may not be applied to shoes or in the throwing circle.