How is a false start penalised?
Rule- South Africa
- Athletics South Africa
- World Athletics rules
- WA Technical Rules 2026
- Track and field
- Starters
- Officials
- All ages
- 2026/27
Under World Athletics TR 16.8 and 16.9, except in combined events, any athlete responsible for a false start is disqualified by the starter. There's no warning first.
- The starter's assistant raises a red and black (diagonally halved) card in front of the athlete. If lane markers allow it, the matching indication is shown on the lane marker.
- When one athlete false starts, others often follow. Only the athlete or athletes who, in the starter's opinion, were responsible are disqualified, which can be more than one athlete.
- If a recalled or aborted start wasn't caused by any athlete, no warnings are given and a green card is shown to all athletes.
The starter or any recaller who thinks a start wasn't fair (including blocks slipping or something interfering with an athlete) must recall the athletes with a gun or other audible signal.
ASA's domestic rules don't add a separate false start rule for youth age groups.
Added 22 Oct 2026