Each year, and in each sport, rule changes are included in rule books that govern that sport. Some changes are just in the wording of a rule, some are in the rule itself. There are two reasons for the latter: the sport has changed, or the committee(s) that oversee a sport finds it necessary to "fine tune" a rule in order to make it more compliant with the sport.
The following are the rule changes for track and field for 2015. Although indoor track is not a part of Florida's high school agenda, I have included those rules in order to maintain consistency.
I have asterisked those that I feel require special attention (due to personal observations). Plus, Tony Tussing, track official extraordinaire, has written me that the "no jewelry" rule is still in effect in Florida. That is FHSAA's prerogative. I agree whole heartedly. I was a sports official--several, in fact-- for close to four decades and, although this is an issue that rarely surfaces, jewelry can inflict serious injury under the right circumstances. (Consider the force of a varsity athlete, moving with great velocity, and what would happen if a necklace or earing were to catch on a stationary object, or another athlete's clothing--especially if he/she is moving in an opposite or tangential direction. Ouch!)
These rules are directly from the NFHS website (see: http://www.nfhs.org/sports-resource-content/track-and-field-rules-changes-2015/).
1-4: As an option to be determined by the games committee or meet director, the order of events for indoor competition shall consist of the 55-meter or 60-meter High Hurdles, Dash and Low Hurdles. With no action, the standard events' distance shall be 55-meters.
Rationale: Many indoor events are run in college facilities, which are set up for the 60-meter distance. Allowing this as an option eliminates special marking of the facility for the hurdles and dash.
4-3-3, 9-6-3: The prohibition of wearing jewelry has been removed from the rules for track and field and cross country competition. As in previous years, the wearing of a medical alert with the alert visible continues and is encouraged for purposes of risk minimization.
Rationale: The prohibition of jewelry is not necessary in track and field and cross country. The wearing of jewelry ordinarily presents little risk of injury to either the competitor or opponents. Elimination of the rule allows officials to focus on meet administration directly related to competition. Coaches continue to have the obligation to see that competitors are properly equipped.
NOTE: This rule is still in effect in Florida!
6-2-9, 6-4-9a, 6-5-9a, 6-6-11h, 7-2-11, 7-4-14d, 7-5-29e, 7-6-13f: Clarifies that a competitor shall be charged with a foul if he/she does not initiate a trial within one minute after the competitor's name has been called.
Rationale: Clarifies that a competitor must initiate a trial within the time limit, with completion of that trial allowed beyond the prescribed time.
6-2-17 NOTE, 6-6-9, 7-2-17 NOTE 1: Establishes the procedure to follow should a legal implement break during an attempt and a replacement trial awarded or at the completion of an attempt with the result recorded and no replacement trial.
Rationale: Allows for an additional trial when an implement breaks and becomes non-compliant during competition due to no fault of the competitor. Reorganizes and places rule within general rules for throwing and jumping events.
*6-4-9f, 6-5-9g, 6-6-11g: It is no longer a foul if the competitor is not under control before legally exiting the competition area after the implement has landed.
Rationale: Maintains consistency with current trends in track and field.
*6-4-9g, 6-5-9h, 6-6-11f: The event judge no longer calls "Mark" when an implement has landed and there has been no foul by the competitor.
Rationale: Maintains consistency with current trends in track and field.
*7-2-11: A crossbar displaced by a force disassociated with the competitor after he/she is legally and clearly over the crossbar shall not be a fault.
Rationale: Addresses possible influence of an outside force on the crossbar on an otherwise successful attempt.
8-1-1, 2: An option is available to conduct the boys decathlon and the pentathlon running the 1600- or 1500-meter run. With no action, the 1600-meter run shall be the standard event distance to be included.
Rationale: When using the IAAF standard scoring, the 1500-meter run is the standard distance. Either distance should be accepted as both can be scored.
8-2-1f New: The indoor weight throw may be included in the order of events for indoor meets.
Rationale: Presently, the shot put is the only event for throwers at indoor meets.
2015 Track and Field Major Editorial Changes
5-12-1, 5-14-2f: Removes "impedes" from rules, as it is unnecessary when the rule already addresses interference.
5-13-2: Interference is defined in Rule 5-9 and the extra reference to "stride" is unnecessary and removed.
5-13-3,4: Reorganized Rule 5-13 for clarity by moving non-infraction actions into Articles 3 and 4.
7-2-12: Clarifies competitor with best mark in preliminaries goes last in the finals, including after excused competitors have completed their trials.
2015 Track and Field Editorial Changes
2-2-2, 2-2-3, 3-10-4, 4-6, 4-6-4, 4-6-5, 4-6-5 NOTE 3, 6-2-5, 6-3-1, 6-4-6 NOTE 3, 7-2-1, 7-2-8, 7-3-2, 7-3-2a(1), 7-3-2c, 7-4-15, 7-5-10, 7-5-13, 7-5-15, 7-5-17, 7-5-30, 7-6-8, 7-6-17a
2015 Track and Field Points of Emphasis
Risk minimization in the hammer and weight throws
Proper flagging in the throwing events
Legal implements breaking and becoming non-compliant during competition
Displacement of the crossbar not associated with competitor
Jewelry restriction removed
Head event judge mechanics -- throwing events