GUIDES · BETSLIP DOCTOR
When does a field-event trial clock start, and how much time does an athlete get?
The trial period normally starts when the official responsible tells the athlete that everything is ready. In pole vault, it starts when the crossbar has been adjusted to the athlete’s earlier request. The time allowed depends on the event, whether the competition is individual or combined, how many athletes remain, and whether the next attempt is consecutive. If the athlete begins a trial before time expires, the trial is not disallowed just because the clock expires while it is underway.
For Field-event athletes, fans, and meet volunteers checking the trial clock and event-specific limits. · Updated
The clock starts when the event is ready
For most field events, the official signals that everything is ready and the trial clock begins then. In pole vault, the clock begins after the bar is adjusted according to the athlete’s previous wishes. If an athlete decides not to attempt after the clock has started, the attempt becomes a failure when the allowed period expires.
Choose the individual or combined-events table
The ordinary time changes as the number of athletes remaining changes. The first trial for each athlete uses the one-minute row even if fewer athletes remain. “Other” means the other field events in the table. A dash means no time is printed for that cell; it should not be restated as an unlimited allowance.
- Individual events, more than three athletes or an athlete’s first trial: High Jump 1 minute; Pole Vault 1 minute; Other 1 minute.
- Individual events, two or three athletes: High Jump 1.5 minutes; Pole Vault 2 minutes; Other 1 minute.
- Individual events, one athlete: High Jump 3 minutes; Pole Vault 5 minutes; Other —.
- Combined events, more than three athletes or an athlete’s first trial: High Jump 1 minute; Pole Vault 1 minute; Other 1 minute.
- Combined events, two or three athletes: High Jump 1.5 minutes; Pole Vault 2 minutes; Other 1 minute.
- Combined events, one athlete: High Jump 2 minutes; Pole Vault 3 minutes; Other —.
- Consecutive trials: High Jump 2 minutes; Pole Vault 3 minutes; Other 2 minutes.
Apply the notes with the time row
Several notes change how the table is applied. A visible clock should show the remaining time, and an official normally raises a yellow flag for the final 15 seconds. When counting athletes who remain, include those who could be in a jump-off for first place.
- In High Jump and Pole Vault, ordinary time changes take effect only when the bar is placed at a new height; the consecutive-trial period is handled separately.
- In High Jump or Pole Vault, when only one athlete remains, has won, and is attempting a World Record or another record relevant to the competition, add one minute to the listed time.
- A consecutive-trial interval applies when it is longer than the ordinary time calculated from the number of athletes. If that calculation gives the athlete more time, use the longer allowance.
- If an athlete has started before the clock expires, do not disallow the trial solely because time ran out during it. An exceeded limit is generally recorded as a failure unless the determination in TR25.18 applies.
A fictional two-event comparison
In a fictional individual meet with two or three athletes remaining, the ordinary High Jump allowance is 1.5 minutes and Pole Vault is 2 minutes. For consecutive trials, the table lists 2 minutes for High Jump and 3 minutes for Pole Vault; apply that interval when it is longer than the ordinary time, while preserving any longer allowance the athlete is otherwise entitled to. The first trial for each athlete still uses the one-minute row. This example does not decide a real timeout.
Related questions
When does the pole-vault clock begin?
After the crossbar has been adjusted according to the athlete’s previous wishes.
What if an athlete starts before time expires but finishes after it?
TR25.17 says the trial should not be disallowed just because the period elapses after the athlete has started.
Does the one-athlete limit include someone who could enter a jump-off?
Yes. The notes say athletes who could be involved in a jump-off for first are included when calculating how many remain.
Sources and further reading
- Competition Rules & Technical Rules (C1.1 & C2.1) — TR25.17, Time Allowed for Trials, printed pp.55–56 (PDF pp.97–98), including the individual/combined and consecutive-trials tables, notes, and explanatory Comments on starting the clock.
- Competition and Technical Rule Amendments July 2026 — Cover and page 2, CR32 change table