Rules and Resources

General Rules for the Stone Puts, Weight Throws for Distance, and Hammer Throws

  1. A backline will be drawn the appropriate distance from and parallel to the trig. The distance shall be 7’6” for Open Stone and 9’0” for the Weight for Distance events.
  2. Sidelines are defined by visible lines from the edges of the trig to the backline.
  3. The competitor will complete the throw under control as decided by the judge or the throw will be ruled a foul. The competitor shall remain behind the trig and in bounds upon completion of the throw.
  4. Each competitor will be allowed three throws in the competition, the farthest of which will count for that event.
  5. The competitor may stop during the throw and re-start the throw if no foul has occurred. The competitor may even leave the throwing area before re-starting if allowed by the judge.
  6. Each throw will be measured from a point on the inside-upper edge of the trig closest to where the competitor’s plant foot (left foot for a right-handed competitor) landed to the nearest break in the ground made by the implement (not including the handle).
  7. Ties will be broken by comparing the next farthest throw for each competitor involved in the tie. The competitor with the farthest of these throws will place highest. If other ties occur, then this process will repeat for all attempts taken.
  8. A throw will be a foul if the competitor touches the ground as defined in Figure 1 or any surface of the trig other than the edge facing the throwing area. One of the competitor’s feet must always remain in the throwing area either on the ground or in space directly above the throwing area.
  9. When using winged trigs, both feet must stay inside all lines until completion of the throw.
  10. All trigs, standard or winged, will be based off the 4’6” trig base measurement. Diagrams can be emailed for clarity if needed.
  11. Extra throws may be awarded to the victor of each event at the discretion of the judge or Athletic Director to break personal records or established records. The judge or Athletic Director may terminate the extra throws if the athlete fails to throw farther than the last competition throw. The athlete can also choose to terminate the extra throws at any point. No more than three extra throws are allowed per event. No extra throws will be allowed for caber.

Putting the Stone
Open Stone

Standard Weight: Men
Women		 16 lbs. to 22 lbs.
8 lbs. to 12 lbs.		 No Standard Size

There is no standard size or weight of the stone just a minimum of 16 lbs for men and 8 lbs for women. The stone must be put with one hand and with the stone remaining against the neck throughout the throw until the release. Any throwing style may be used as long as the rules are followed, and the style is deemed safe by the judge.
The backline will be drawn 7′-6″ from the trig.

Braemar Stone

Standard Weight: Men
Women		 20 lbs. to 26 lbs.
12 lbs. to 18 lbs.		 No Standard Size

The same rules apply in the Braemar Stone Put as in the Open Stone Put except there is no approach allowed. The stone must be put from a standing position. Reversing the feet after the release is allowed. Lifting of the lead foot is allowed if there is no advancement of said foot during throw.

Throwing the Weights for Distance

The weight will be thrown with one hand only. The weight can be of various shapes and sizes including spherical, bullet or box shaped. The handle can either be attached directly to the weight or attached with a length chain. The handle may also be of various shapes and thickness such as a ring, triangle or a “D” shape. The total weight of each implement will be 14 lb., 28 lb., 42 lbs. and 56 lbs. The women shall throw 14 lb. and 28 lb. weights, and the men shall throw 28 lb. and 56 lb. weights. If there is a master’s class, they may throw a 42 lb. weight instead of a 56 lb. weight and a 21 lb weight instead of 28 (master women). The implement shall not measure more than 18″ in overall length. Any throwing style may be used if the rules are followed, and the style is deemed safe by the judge. Masters over 60 may throw lighter implements as defined by Scottish Masters International.
The backline will be drawn 9′-0″ from the trig.

Throwing the Hammers

Standard Weight: Men
Women		 16 lbs. and 22 lbs.
12 lbs. and 16 lbs.		 Max length 50”

The hammer head shall be spherical and made of metal, and the shaft shall be of wood, rattan, bamboo, or plastic (PVC pipe is sometimes used for increased durability). The total weight of each hammer will be 12 lbs., 16 lbs., and 22 lbs. The women shall throw the 12 lb. and 16 lb. hammers, and the men shall throw the 16 lb. and 22 lb. hammers. The length of the hammer will be no longer than 50″ in overall length. The hammer will be thrown with the feet in a fixed position. “Hammer boots” that anchor the feet to the ground are optional. There is no approach allowed in the hammer throw. The competitor may move his feet after the hammer is released. No back line is drawn for the Hammer Throw and sidelined are normally not drawn either. A 4’6” trig with no wings will be used. All fouls besides the backline foul still apply. Masters over 60 may throw lighter implements as defined by Scottish Masters International.,

Tossing the Caber
There is no standard size or weight of a caber but the caber should be of a length and weight such that at least two of the competitors can turn it. The caber shall be placed upright for the competitor, with the heavy end on top. The attempt begins when the competitor lifts the caber from the ground. If the competitor drops the small end of the caber back to the ground after having picked it up, this shall count as one attempt. It is recommended that a back judge and a side judge be used. The judge may set boundaries if he feels the ground in a certain area is not suitable for the caber to be tossed or to provide safety for the spectators. The competitor may take any length of run they wish and may toss the caber from where they choose, if it is within the judge’s boundaries. The caber must pass through the vertical position (90 degrees from the ground) to count as a turned caber. It is up to the side judge to determine if the caber has passed through it. The “clock face method” of judging shall be used. The caber in a perfect toss will pass through the vertical position and land with the small end pointing directly at 12 o’clock away from the competitor in an imaginary straight line extending from the competitor through the initial landing point and in line with the direction of the run.

A valid throw is when the small end of the caber passes through the vertical position and falls away from the competitor to land within the 180-degree radius between 9 o’clock and 3 o’clock.

If the caber lands in a 12 o’clock position pointing away from the competitor but not in a direct line with their run (as when a competitor turns to one side at the last step or two), then the judge must determine the competitor’s direction of run and then look through the competitor to the small end of the caber, thus giving a true reading of its relation to the direction of run. The direction of run is determined by the direction in which the competitor runs after having control of the caber.

Once the competitor has started on his run, the judge should pick a point in the horizon to use as a reference point once the toss has been made. The competitor may run in one direction and then stop and change directions if they show control over the caber. The caber shall be judged on its landing position, not the position to which it may bounce or roll.
If the caber is not turned by the competitor, then it is the responsibility of the side judge to determine the angle at which the caber was tossed with respect to the 90-degree vertical. The side judge should be perpendicular to the competitor’s direction of run to make an accurate call.

Each competitor is allowed three attempts, all of which should be scored and the best of these to be used to determine placing. In the event of a tie then the next best attempt or attempts shall be used to determine placing. The order of placing shall be determined by the nearest to 12 o’clock toss made by a competitor. If the competitor did not turn the caber, then placing shall be determined by the toss closest to the 90-degree vertical.
If after one complete round the caber has not been turned by any competitor and the judge agrees, the caber may be cut. The caber shall be cut from the large end, and the amount is to be determined by the judge. The caber may be replaced with an easier caber instead of cutting the original caber. This process can be repeated until the caber has been turned. When a qualifying caber is used then any successful turn qualifies the competitor for the next caber.
Ties are broken by comparing the next best attempt for each competitor involved in the tie. The competitor with the next best score places highest. If other ties occur, this process is repeated for all previous attempts.

 

 

General Rules for Height Events

  1. Each competitor will be allowed three attempts at each height.
  2. Each competitor may enter the event at any height in the competition.
  3. A competitor may pass any height they choose, but each height attempted must be cleared before attempting the next height. Once the competitor has entered the event, they may not skip subsequent heights.
  4. When a competitor has missed three attempts at one height then they will be eliminated from the competition.
  5. A competitor will not pass individual attempts without also leaving the competition.
  6. All measurements will be made from the ground to the top of the crossbar.
  7. The judge and/or Athletic Director will determine the opening heights with the Athletic Director having the final decision.
  8. The bar may be raised by larger increments until most of the competitors are eliminated and then raised by a lesser amount requested by the competitors and agreed to by the judge.
  9. The crossbar may be suspended at both ends or by one end. It may be suspended at both ends by either pulleys and rope attached or rested on pegs attached to the uprights or both. If the implement pulls down the crossbar as it goes over, it is the judge’s decision whether the toss will be counted or not. If the crossbar is suspended by resting on pegs (“touch-bar”), then the toss will not be counted if the crossbar is knocked off either peg. The crossbar will remain on the pegs after an attempt until the competitor leaves the throwing area (determined by the judge’s discretion).
  10. The crossbar will be no longer than 10′-0″ in length or shorter than 8’0”.
  11. The center of the implement will go over the bar within the inside of the uprights or the inside of the upright and the end of the bar if only one upright is used.
  12. The implement may touch the crossbar as it goes over.
  13. Ties will be broken by comparing the number of misses at the last height cleared. The competitor with the least number of misses at that height will place highest. If this number of misses are equal, then the next highest height is then compared and the competitor with the least number of misses at that height will place highest. If other ties occur, then this process is repeated for each previous height until all places are determined. If a tie remains after this process, the athlete with the fewest total throws wins the event.
  14. The winner of the event may continue to throw at greater heights until they miss 3 attempts at one height. Once 3 misses at one height, no more attempts will be allowed, and the event will conclude.

 

Tossing the Sheaf

Standard Weight: Men
Women
Master		 20 lbs. (16 lbs. or 20 lbs. for Amateurs)
12 lbs. or 10 lbs
16 lbs. or 20 lbs.		 No Standard Size

The sheaf will be a burlap or plastic bag filled with a suitable material such as straw, mulch, or rope. The sheaf will be thrown over a crossbar for height with a pitchfork. The total weight of the bag shall be 20 lbs. for men and 12 lbs. for women. If there is a master’s class, they may throw a 16 lb. sheaf instead of a 20 lb. weight. Women masters and amateurs may throw a 10 lb sheaf at the discretion of the Athletic Director. The toss shall be made in any manner desired using a pitchfork with at least two tines.

Tossing the Weight for Height

The weight will be thrown with one hand only. The weight shall be made of metal but can be of various shapes and sizes including spherical, bullet or box shaped. The handle can either be attached directly to the weight or attached with a length chain. The handle may also be of various shapes and thickness such as a ring, triangle or a “D” shape. The total weight of each implement shall be 28 lb., 42 lbs. and 56 lbs. The women shall throw a 28 lb. weight, and the men shall throw a 56 lb. weight. If there is a master’s class, they may throw a 42 lb. weight instead of a 56 lb. weight and women may throw a 21 lb. weight. The implement shall not measure more than 18″ in overall length but a weight shorter than this is normally used when thrown for height to avoid hitting the ground when swung between the legs. Any throwing style may be used if the rules are followed, and the style is deemed safe by the judge and/or Athletic Director.

General Rules for All Events

  1. The Athletic Director has the final say on all matters involving the games under his/her direction to include events contested, flights, groupings, rotations, and rules of the day such as allowing or disallowing spinning height attempts. Athletic Directors will ensure the events are completed following the general rule set as outlined.
  2. A Scottish Heavy Events competition is defined by at least five of the events listed above. If only five events are used, then no two events will be similar (such as two stones, two weight throws for distance, or two hammers).
  3. If an implement breaks during a competition and cannot be repaired quickly, the round in which it broke should be started over with a new implement being used. If the judge determines that time does not allow for this, then a new implement will be used and the round continued where it left off.
  4. In the interest of safety, the judge has the right to disqualify any competitors who in their opinion do not have the ability to complete a throw without injuring themselves, other competitors or spectators. The judge also has the right to disqualify any competitors who display poor sportsmanship or intoxication from any substance/agent.
  5. All competitors competing will wear a kilt during the competition or at the discretion of the Athletic Director.
  6. The judge may apply a time limit to each throw if he feels it is necessary. If the competitor does not begin the throw within this time limit the attempt will be a foul.
  7. In the event of a tie after any of the above tie-breaking methods have been applied, the points for the places in question will be added together and divided evenly among the tied competitors.
  8. The trig will be 4’6″ long, 5.5″-6” tall, and 6″ wide. Every effort shall be made to secure the trig to the ground so that it will not move during the event if a competitor steps against it. The wings (if using winged trig) shall also be secured to the trig and/or ground. Wings shall be 18” long and extend at an approximate 45-degree angle to complete the 6’9” extended box.
  9. The winner of the event may take three extra throws to try to break a record, whether it be a Games Record, North American Record, or World Record.
  10. Individual fingers or the thumb of the throwing hand may be taped but the fingers or thumb will not be taped together. No straps or other devices besides a glove will be used to aid the competitor in holding the implement. No footwear that may aid in increasing the athlete’s height will be used in the events thrown for height.
  11. For a competitor to win or place in an overall competition, they must attempt to compete in all the events. At the discretion of the judge, if the competitor does not attempt to compete in all the events, then they will not receive points or awards for the individual events or the overall competition.
  12. The points for an event are awarded with first place receiving 1 point. Second place will receive 2 points and so on until last place. The points are tallied at the end of the competition and the athlete with the lowest score is the winner.
  13. In case of an event tie, the points will be added for the athletes then divided by number of athletes in the tie. Example: A tie for 3rd place between two athletes-  (3 + 4) / 2 = 3.5 points awarded to both athletes.
  14. Measurements shall be recorded after rounding the measurement down to the nearest 1/4″ in all the events.
  15. After each completed event, the competitor who threw first is now placed last in the next event and all other competitors move up one place. This is repeated after every event.
  16. When an American, North American, or World Record has been broken it is the responsibility of the Athletic Director to verify that record. The Record must be set within all rules for that event. The implement will be weighed on a certified scale and the weight will be equal to or more than the legal weight for that implement. In the case of the Weights for Distance, the Weight for Height, and the Hammer Throw, the overall length of the implement will be measured, and the length will be equal to or less than the legal length of that implement.
  17. American records must be set by a competitor with American citizenship and may be set anywhere in the world. Canadian records must be set a competitor with Canadian citizenship and may be set anywhere in the world. North American records must be set by a competitor with citizenship in North America and may be set anywhere in the world. World records may be set by any competitor anywhere in the world.
  18. Safety must be a paramount concern to all the organizers, judges, competitors, helpers, and spectators present at the competition. Precautions should be taken to protect these people. The throwing area should be roped off to keep spectators off the athletic field. There should be some type of cage or backstop for the hammer throw or the event should be in a location far enough away to ensure safety to non-participants.
  19. If the judge has a doubt about calling a foul on a competitor, then no foul should be called. The benefit of the doubt should always go to the athlete.
  20. If the overall score ends in a tie for 1st place, the following method should be used to break the tie and determine a winner:
    1. The athlete who has the most 1st place finishes breaks the tie.
    2. If a tie remains, the most 2nd place finishes are counted.
    3. If a tie remains, the most 3rd place finishes are counted.
    4. If a tie remains, the winner of caber between the two athletes breaks the tie.
    5. If a tie remains, the Athletic Director may decide a playoff event which can be one throw or three throws at the discretion of the Athletic Director. Caber is preferred however if a suitable caber is not available the athletes who are tied may agree to a throw-off with any of the remaining events. If no agreement can be reached, the Athletic Director may choose between the two suggested events by a flip of the coin.

 

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