How does race walk judging work, including yellow paddles and red cards?
Rule- Australia
- Little Athletics
- Standard Rules for Competition
- Under 6-Under 17
- 2026/27
- Officials
Definition: race walking is a progression of steps where the walker keeps contact with the ground so that no loss of contact is visible to the human eye. The advancing leg must be straightened (not bent at the knee) from first contact until the vertical upright position.
Judges: a track walk event has a minimum of 4 and a maximum of 6 walk judges, including the Chief Judge. Judges act independently and may not use transceivers. Judges with a connection to an athlete (relative, coach or protege) should be avoided, and must declare it.
- Yellow paddle: any judge can give one when an athlete appears in danger of breaking the definition. It is issued verbally, e.g. "Yellow Paddle No. xx contact or knees", without coaching. A judge can yellow paddle an athlete only once per offence per event, and a yellow paddle has no bearing on disqualification.
- Red card: given when an athlete is actually breaking the rules. A judge may give an athlete only one red card in an event. For Under 12 and above no verbal red card is given. For younger age groups the red card is given verbally at the time of the infringement.
- Disqualification: red cards from 3 or more walk judges disqualify an athlete. Only the Chief Judge may tell an athlete they are disqualified, and must give the reasons.
- A red card should never be given unless there is absolute certainty. The rules recommend showing a yellow paddle before a red card where possible.
Added 24 Oct 2026