How many throws does each athlete get?
B · Beginner · The competition · 4 of 4Where more than eight athletes compete, each has three trials. The eight with the best valid throws then have three more, in reverse order of their ranking, so the leader throws last. With eight athletes or fewer, everyone has six. An athlete's result is the best of all their trials.
How it works
- One at a time: no athlete has more than one trial recorded in any one round of trials.
- More than eight athletes: "each athlete shall be allowed three trials and the eight athletes with the best valid performances shall be allowed three additional trials".
- Eight or fewer: "each athlete shall be allowed six trials".
- A valid throw is needed: the commentary says only athletes with a valid throw in the first three rounds go on. If fewer than eight have one, fewer than eight continue.
- Order at the start: drawn by lot.
- Order afterwards: for the later rounds the competing order is "the reverse ranking order recorded after the first three rounds of trials".
- A tie for eighth: the second-best throws are compared, then the third-best. If the athletes are still level, all of them get the extra trials.
- The result: the best of all the athlete's trials, from any round.
- No valid throw: an athlete with no valid trial is shown as NM.
- Fewer trials: a competition's regulations may set fewer trials, and may reduce the number of athletes after each later round. They may not give more than six.
Tricky cases
An athlete fouls all three of their first trials. Can they still go through on reputation?
No. Without a valid throw in the first three rounds they do not get the additional trials.
Does the leader after three rounds throw first or last in round four?
Last. The order is the reverse of the ranking after three rounds.
Nine athletes compete and two are tied for eighth after three rounds on every throw. Who goes through?
Both. If the tie cannot be broken, the tied athletes are all allowed the additional trials.
Does a throw from the first three rounds still count at the end?
Yes. Each athlete is credited with the best of all their trials.
Why the rule exists
Three trials each give everyone a fair chance to post a distance. Cutting to eight keeps the second half of the competition short and puts the best athletes close together. Reversing the order means each of them knows what they have to beat, and the leader has the last word.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| World Athletics rules | As above | TR 25.5; TR 25.6; TR 25.21 |
| Combined events | Three trials only | TR 39.8.1 |
| Qualification round | Up to three trials, and an athlete stops once they reach the qualifying standard | TR 25.13 |
| Competition regulations | The order may be changed again after any later round | TR 25.6 (note iv) |
From the rule book
World Athletics, Competition and Technical Rules, 2026 Edition, Technical Rules 25.5, 25.6 and 25.21 with the commentary printed under them, and Competition Rule 25.5. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: World Athletics Competition and Technical Rules 2026 (PDF).