What must an athlete do at each barrier, and what gets them disqualified?
B · Beginner · The event and the start · 3 of 5Every athlete must go over each hurdle and over or through the water. They are disqualified if they miss one, step to one side of the water jump, or pass a foot or leg beside a hurdle below the level of its top. Apart from that the hurdle may be cleared in any manner, including stepping on it.
How it works
- The duty: "Each athlete shall go over or through the water and shall go over each hurdle. Failure to do so will result in a disqualification."
- Round the water: an athlete is disqualified if "they step to one side or other of the water jump".
- The trailing leg: an athlete is disqualified if "their foot or leg is, at the instant of clearance, beside the hurdle (on either side), and below the horizontal plane of the top of the hurdle".
- Any manner: provided these rules are kept, "an athlete may go over each hurdle in any manner". Stepping on the bar and using the hands are both within that.
- The path to the water: on the curved part of the path that leads to and from the water jump, athletes may not step on or inside the line or kerb marking its inside edge.
- Other athletes: the ordinary rules on jostling and obstruction apply at the barriers as everywhere else.
Tricky cases
Can an athlete vault a hurdle with a hand on top?
Yes. The hurdle may be cleared in any manner as long as the athlete goes over it.
An athlete is crowded at the water jump and runs round the side of the pit. Is that allowed?
No. Stepping to one side or the other of the water jump means disqualification.
An athlete falls into the deep water and wades out. Are they still in the race?
Yes. The rule is met by going "over or through the water".
A hurdle is so crowded that an athlete's trailing leg swings round the end of the bar. Is that a fault?
Yes, if the foot or leg was beside the hurdle and below the level of its top at the moment of clearance.
Why the rule exists
The race is the distance plus the obstacles, so missing one is the same as running short. The leg rule closes the one way of going over a barrier without lifting the whole body over it: swinging a leg round the end.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| World Athletics rules | As above | TR 23.7 |
| Sprint hurdles | Knocking down or moving a hurdle with a hand, the body or the front of the leading leg also disqualifies | TR 22.6.2 |
| An athlete who stops | Usually shown as DNF, not DQ | CR 20 commentary |
From the rule book
World Athletics, Competition and Technical Rules, 2026 Edition, Technical Rules 17.2.4 and 23.7. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: World Athletics Competition and Technical Rules 2026 (PDF).