What is a good marking criteria for javelin?

Answer 1

If by marking you mean marking the point where the javelin first made legal contact with the ground, the IAAF rules for a legal javelin throw must first be upheld: the javelin must have made contact with the ground with its tip before the rest of its body, and it must have landed within the sector, or legal area, of the throwing field. The delivery of the throw and the consequent exit of the athlete from the designated throwing space (the runway) must also have been completed in compliance with the rules of the competition.

After these conditions have been satisfied, the official (the one determining the mark) should ensure that the mark they have taken is correct. NOTE: the javelin does not have to stick into the ground, or make a notable divot, to be considered legal. Some solid criteria include:

- If given a sizable divot from initial impact, choose the point on the divot closest to the runway behind it to place your mark

- If it is difficult to see any marks from the javelin's impact, feel around the area with your fingers. Sometimes you'll be able to feel a slight mark better than you can see it.

- Notice the pattern made by the javelin in the grass. If the javelin has slid a considerable distance, check around where the grass first parts. NOTE: this should not be used as the only evidence in determining the javelin's first impact, but rather in combination with visual tracking of the implement