Track & Field Glossary
Glossary explained in plain English for parents learning Track & Field.
| Term | Plain-English Meaning | Example | Also Known As |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meet | A track and field event where many races, jumps, throws, and relays are held in one session or day. | The meet may include sprints on the track and long jump in the field area. | Competition; event day |
| Event | One specific race, jump, throw, or relay within a meet. | The 100 meters and long jump are different events. | Race; field event |
| Heat | One smaller race within a larger event when there are too many athletes for one start. | Your child may be in heat 3 of the 200 meters. | Section |
| Lane | A marked path on the track assigned to a runner in many races. | The athlete in lane 4 should stay in lane 4 for that sprint. | Assigned lane |
| Start | The beginning of a race, controlled by a starter, whistle, command, or local meet signal. | Runners wait for the start before leaving the line. | Starting command |
| Finish | The line or timing point where a race ends. | Coaches remind athletes to run through the finish. | Finish line |
| Attempt | One try in a field event such as a jump or throw. | A long jumper may get three attempts. | Trial |
| Mark | The measured result of a legal field-event attempt. | The athlete's best mark came on the second throw. | Distance; height |
| Foul | An attempt or action that does not count because a rule was broken. | A jump can be a foul if the athlete steps past the takeoff line. | No mark |
| Scratch | Removing an athlete from an event or not competing in that event. | The coach scratched the athlete from the race because it overlapped with a field event. | Withdraw |
| Clerk | The meet worker or area that organizes runners before races. | The clerk checks heats and lanes before sending athletes to the start. | Staging area |
| Flight | A group of athletes competing together in a field event. | The younger throwers may be in the first flight. | Group |
| Exchange Zone | The area where relay runners pass the baton under the meet rules. | The team practices staying calm in the exchange zone. | Relay zone |
| Baton | The object relay runners carry and pass to the next teammate. | A dropped baton can change the race quickly. | Relay stick |
| Runway | The approach path used for some jump or throw events. | Athletes wait until the runway is clear before starting. | Approach |
| Sector | The marked landing area for some throwing events. | Throws should land inside the sector to count. | Throwing area |
| Implement | The object used in a throwing event, such as a shot or discus, with youth weights varying by age group. | A developmental meet may use a modified implement. | Throwing implement |
| Developmental Meet | A beginner-friendly meet that may use shorter events, teaching-focused rules, or flexible scoring. | A developmental meet may combine age groups or limit events. | Instructional meet |