Field Events in Track & Field

High Jump

• Athletes who compete in the high jump require a combination of speed, agility and jumping technique. Athletes must run up and take off from one foot as they try to clear a horizontal bar set on two upright poles. If the bar falls off before the athlete hits the landing mat it is considered a fail. Competitors are eliminated if they fail to clear the bar on three successive jumps. Top male athletes typically jump anywhere from 2.2 to 2.4 meters (7.2 to 7.9 feet) , while top female athletes jump anywhere from 1.85 to 2.05 meters (6.1 to 6.7 feet).

Long Jump

• Athletes sprint down a runway before launching themselves as far as possible from the take-off line, into a sand landing area. Each jump is measured from the nearest imprint made by your body in the landing area. Athletes need to be able to transfer their sprint speed into the jump without losing momentum as they spring up into the air. Long jumpers need powerful legs and elasticity in their take-off foot.

Triple Jump

• The "hop," "step" and the "jump" make up the triple jump. Triple jumpers must maintain balance and speed and conserve energy for the all-important jump. Athletes must land on the same foot they took off from following the "hop" and land on the opposite foot after the "step." They then jump off both feet in the "jump." Jumpers must take off from within the lane, and the distance is measured from the nearest imprint made by your body in the sand.

Pole Vault

• Athletes sprint down a runway before planting the pole into a box at the front of the landing pad as they try to propel themselves over the bar. Competitors are eliminated if they fail to clear the bar on three consecutive attempts. The bar is typically set anywhere between 5.5 and 6 meters (18.1 and 19.7 feet) for the top male athletes and between 4.3 and 5 meters (14.1 and 16.4 feet) for the top female athletes. There are no restrictions on the material, length and diameter of the pole.

Shot Put

• Athletes who compete in the shot put use a combination of strength and athleticism to push the shot as far as possible. Athletes start from a stationary position within the circle, and they may only use one hand to put the shot. The shot must land within a designated triangular area. The men's shot weighs 7.26 kg (16 lbs), and the women's shot weighs 4 kg (8.8 lbs).

Discus Throw

• The discus is a circular-shaped wooden plate rimmed with metal. The men's discus weighs 2 kg (4.4 lbs) and has a diameter of 22 cm (8.7 inches), while the women's discus weighs 1 kg (2.2 lbs) and has a diameter of 18 cm (7.1 inches). Discus throwers generate speed and power by spinning around quickly within the circle. Athletes must start from a stationary position but may hold the discus however they want. Athletes may not leave the circle until the discus hits the ground and must throw the discus within the specified area.

Hammer Throw

• The hammer -- a ball attached to a metal chain -- used by the men weighs 7.26 kg (16 lbs), while the women's hammer weighs 4 kg (8.8 lbs). A smooth rhythm in addition to strength and technique are the keys to success. Athletes start from a still position within a circle and make several quick rotations before letting go of the hammer. Athletes may not touch the top of the rim of the circle or anything outside the circle until the hammer lands on the ground.

Javelin Throw

• The javelin event combines throwing and running. Similar to a spear, the javelin can be made from metal or wood and has a metal tip. Athletes must hold the javelin by the grip and throw it over their shoulder. Athletes must release the javelin before the line and may not cross it at any stage. The tip of the javelin must touch the ground before the tail does, and it must land within the marked sector. The men's javelin weighs 800g (28.2 ounces) and can be between 2.6m and 2.7m (8.5 and 8.9 feet) long, while the women's javelin weighs 600g (21.2 ounces) and can be between 2.2 m and 2.3m (7.2 and 7.5 feet) long.