SportsMaze

What may a thrower put down as a marker, and when may they practise?

A · Advanced · The competition · 2 of 5
Checked 14 October 2026

An athlete throwing from a circle may use one marker only. It goes on the ground immediately behind or beside the circle, and only while they take their own trial. Nothing may be placed in or beside the landing sector. Practice throws are taken before the event, in the drawn order. Once the competition has begun, nobody may practise with the implements.

How it works

  • How many: one marker only for a throw made from a circle.
  • Where: on the ground immediately behind the circle or next to it. It may not be on any line or in the landing sector.
  • For how long: it is temporary, in place only while the athlete takes their own trial.
  • The landing area: no personal marker may be placed in or beside it.
  • Wrong markers: the judges tell the athlete to change or remove them, and remove them if the athlete does not.
  • Practice: "At the competition area and before the beginning of the event, each athlete may have practice trials." In the throws they are taken in the drawn order and under the judges' supervision.
  • After the start: once the competition has begun, athletes may not practise with implements. They may not use the circle or the ground inside the sector for practice, with or without an implement.
  • Record marker: a flag or marker may show the existing world record or another record.

Tricky cases

Can a thrower leave their marker beside the circle for the whole competition?

No. It may be in place only while the athlete takes their own trial.

Can a thrower put a cone out in the sector to aim at?

No. No personal marker may be placed in or beside the landing area.

Can an athlete take a practice throw into the sector between rounds?

No. Once the competition has begun, implements and the sector may not be used for practice.

How many practice throws does each athlete get?

The rule sets no number. The commentary says it depends on the warm-up time available.

Why the rule exists

A thrower needs to set their feet in the same place each time, and one mark is enough for that. Keeping personal markers out of the sector leaves the landing area clear for the judges. Practice stops once the event begins because an implement thrown outside the order of competition is a danger to everyone in the field.

Where it differs

WhereWhat changesSource
World Athletics rulesAs aboveTR 25.1 to 25.4
JavelinOne or two markers, beside the runwayTR 25.3.1
Serious casesMisuse of markers may be treated as improper conductTR 25.3.3 (note)
High jumpMarkers may be placed on the runway itselfTR 25.3.1

From the rule book

World Athletics, Competition and Technical Rules, 2026 Edition, Technical Rules 25.1 to 25.4 with the commentary printed under them. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: World Athletics Competition and Technical Rules 2026 (PDF).

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