The Official Rules Of The Alberta Scottish Athletics Association

The Athletes

• As we have not the time, space or resources to provide a true Amateur "C", or novice class, a kilt shall be required at all official competitions.



• Any competition day will contain two classes: the Amateur 'B' division in the morning and the "Invitational Open" class in the afternoon. The maximum number of participants in a highland games will be 20 in the morning events and 10 in the afternoon. In the case of having between 16 and 20 athletes in the B division, all athletes will get only 2 attempts per event. At the end of those two rounds, the top 5 athletes will get their third attempt. This keeps the number of total throws to 45 and allows the games to keep to a schedule.



• The top 10 competitors from a games have the option of preregistering for the next games, but must confirm no later than 1 week in advance.



• The remaining slots in the morning event will be taken by those athletes who place highest in the first two events, namely the stone put and 28# for distance, to a maximum of 20 competitors, including those who have pre-registered. This is to ensure that, as an athletic association, all members are striving to improve their skills.



• All athletes are required to volunteer to assist in 2 (two) games in the year. Those participating in the morning will assist the afternoon events and those in the afternoon will assist the morning events. If it is not possible to make an assigned day, a substitute must be found. Failure to volunteer or to find a replacement, will result in the inability to participate in the next scheduled highland games.
  
  This will be organized as such that 'Calgary' athletes will assist 'Calgary' games, etc, for ease of travel and all those concerned.



• Travel money will be available based on full membership and top three placings for Amateur B competitions and up to 10th in the Open competition. There may also be some funds available purely on an individual basis depending on distance traveled and number of out of town games attended. As well, transportation of equipment will be reimbursed.



• Highland heavy athletics is a tested sport and as such performance enhancing anabolics are forbidden. All competitions in Alberta are subject to testing at random and any athlete found guilty of using performance enhancers will be banned from competition effective immediately.

The Events

• Scoring - Games will be scored in ascending order. Meaning that a first place is worth a single point, second is worth two, etc. Using this method, lowest total at the end of the day wins.
  
  Exception is Provincials.
  
  
• Fouls and Misses - In the case of an athlete fouling all his or her attempts, they will receive the maximum number of points for that event, regardless of how many others have similarly failed. In the case of provincials, failing to make a mark will result in a '0' for that event.
  
  
• Ties - Ties in distance events shall result in placings being split evenly. If two athletes threw the same distance to achieve second place, they would each receive 2.5 points. ((2+3)/2 = 2.5) The next athlete will receive the points for 4th place.
  
  In the event of a tie during a height event, the athlete with the minimum number of attempts at that height shall win. If the number of attempts is the same, the next lowest height attempts shall be compared. If all attempts are identical, the points shall be split as above.
  
  If, during the caber, two or more athletes receive the same best attempt, previous attempts will be compared to determine placing. If the tie still exists, points shall be split as above.
  
  A tie for overall points shall be decided by the athlete with the greatest number of first place finishes. If the tie remains, a coin shall be flipped to determine placing.
  
  
• Weight Over Bar (Weight for Height) - All weight over bar attempts must be made in the standing position and with one hand. Both feet must remain still, save for at the time of release. NO SPINNING WOB WILL BE ALLOWED UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES.
  
  
• Hammer Handles - In any category, two hammers shall be available at the beginning of the event. If one handle should break, the next hammer shall be used immediately and all attempts will still be considered valid. If both handles are broken, the event shall stop and the furthest throw, regardless of the implement, shall be taken as final.
  
  If not all athletes received their throws, the event shall not count toward final standings.
  
  
• Throwing Area - The throwing area shall be 7'6" by 4'6" for the stone putting events and 9' by 4'6" for the weights for distance. The athlete may start with one foot out and end with one foot out of the area, but one foot must be fully in at all times. Stepping on a line while one foot is out shall count as a foul throw.
  
  Neither foot may, at any time, pass behind the back line, or forward of the front line and only the front face of the actual trig may be contacted. The trig itself must be 4'6" in length and have a height of 5.5-6".
  
  
• The Caber - The caber shall be of such a size and weight that only the most skilled of the athletes are capable of turning it properly. A qualification caber may be required during the morning events, if it is determined that some of the athletes may lack the experience to attempt the competition caber. Only two(2) attempts will be allowed on any qualification caber.
  
  Only a successful flip of the caber can result in an athlete taking part in a 'Challenge' caber competition.
  
  

The Marks

Additional Information