Track Xplosion Track and Field Club is open to girls and boys ages 4 to 18. Age 4 athletes must turn 5 before July 31st of the current competition year. Athletes that are 4 - 6 years of ages may be limited to specific practice days and meets. No prior experience with running competitively is required to participate. Our program is designed, for all athletic abilities, to introduce kids to running and field events such as shot put, javelin, long jump, high jump, etc. Track Xplosion provides an opportunity for athletes, regardless of ability, to challenge themselves to enhance their skills, develop healthy habits and improve overall fitness.

Age verification is required for all new athletes. A copy of the athlete’s Birth Certificate must be uploaded into the Track Xplosion Registration Form. [1. USATF Membership: Club Registrar will obtain/update USATF membership, parent/guardian will need to upload athlete's Birth Certificate into USATF Connect. 2. AAU Membership: Club Registrar will obtain membership, no other action needed by parent/guardian. Athletes, who are not age verified, will not be able to compete in any qualifying meets. Parent/guardian should take a copy of Athlete's Birth Certificate to qualifying meets in case age re-verification is requested.

Registration Fees will be shown on the Registration Information page as applicable for current season. * ATHLETES WILL NOT BE PERMITTED TO PRACTICE / COMPETE UNTIL THEIR REGISTRATION DOCUMENTATION IS SUBMITTED AND FEES ARE PAID IN FULL *

Indoor Season begins in late November / early December and runs until early March. Outdoor Season begins in mid March and runs until the end of June for those athletes that do not advance during qualifying meets. For those athletes, that advance, the season can run until late July / early August.

AAU: All age divisions are determined by Year of Birth. Click link AAU Age Divisions for more information. USATF: Youth competitions typically take place in two-year age divisions. These age divisions provide young athletes the opportunity to compete with other athletes of similar ability. Click link USATF Age Divisions for more information.

Practice Time/Location can vary from year to year. Indoor Season: Tuesday and Thursday from 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm at location to be announced. Outdoor Season: Monday through Thursday from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm at location to be announced.

Practice normally ends at the announced end time. However, there are days when practice could finish early. Therefore, please plan on being at the practice facility 30 minutes before the announced end time to wait for your athlete to finish practicing. Athletes, who are picked up late, could be assessed a fee and not allowed to participate until fee is paid and/or removed from the team, without refund, for repeat offenders. If a parent/guardian is planning to leave the premises, please ensure that a coach is made aware and has a contact number. For safety reasons, parents/guardians are asked to come into the stadium to pick up their athlete. In addition, you are asked to notify your athlete’s coach that you are taking your athlete. Athletes are NOT allowed to exit the stadium without an adult!!!

Water is not provided. It is the parent/guardian’s responsibility to send your athlete to practice with plenty of water. From an environmental perspective and to avoid having to pick up plastic water bottles, we prefer your athlete bring a larger reusable water container. Please write your athlete’s name on their water container so that they can easily identify their container.

In the event that practice needs to be cancelled, a communication will be placed on the Track Xplosion Meet Day GroupMe, Website and/or Facebook. Though we strive to have this information communicated no later than 5:00 pm, please keep in mind that due to the unpredictability of weather, practice may need to be cancelled even up to the start of practice. Word of Caution: Don’t assume practice is cancelled just because it is raining where you are. IMPORTANT: In case increment weather (i.e., thunder / lightning) occurs DURING practice, the coaching staff will determine the sheltering plan for the athletes, which most of the time will be exiting the stadium and sheltering in a vehicle. Therefore, please do not leave your athlete at practice if you know that inclement weather is possible. In addition, practice could be cancelled all together meaning athletes will need to leave, immediately.

Track meets can last a majority of the day if not the entire day; so come prepared. The meets have many different teams, events, and age divisions competing so bring your patience. For example, if your child is a sprinter and runs the 100m and 200m events, the 100m will be near the beginning of the meet while the 200m is much later in the day. We do not want the athletes running around between events and getting too tired before they compete. Please be patient and considerate of your track neighbors, the officials and other athletes. Extra Meet Tips Pay attention to the information being shared on the Track Xplosion Meet Day GroupMe Arrive early - space can be limited and meet schedule can change Listen for when events are being called and when its time to warm-up so you don't miss your event Bring proper attire (running shoes, spikes (and pins) / specialty shoes, uniform, sweats) Athletes are not permitted to wear “flip flops” / Crocs to track meets and practice Athletes must wear the official team uniform when competing in a Team approved meet

Outdoor Track and Field Events Running Events Sprints: 100m, 200m, 400m Distance: 800m, 1500m, 3000m Hurdles: 80m, 100m, 110m, 200m, 400m Relays: 4x100m, 4x400m, 4x800m Racewalk: 1500m, 3000m Steeplechase: 2000m Jumping Events Long Jump Triple Jump High Jump Pole Vault Throwing Events Shot Put Discus Javelin, Turbo Javelin, Aero Javelin Multi-Events Triathlon [9 – 10]: Shot Put (6lb), High Jump, 200m (Girls) / 400m (Boys) Pentathlon [11 – 12]: 80m Hurdles, Shot Put (6lb), High Jump, Long Jump, 800m (Girls) / 1500m (Boys) Pentathlon [13 – 14]: 100m Hurdles, Shot Put (6lb - Girls) / (4kg - Boys), High Jump, Long Jump, 800m (Girls) / 1500m (Boys) Heptathlon (Girls) [15 – 18]: Day 1: 100m Hurdles, High Jump, Shot Put (4kg), 200m Day 2: Long Jump, Javelin (600g), 800m Decathlon (Boys) [15 – 18]: Day 1: 100m, Long Jump, Shot Put (12lb), High Jump, 400m Day 2: 100m Hurdles, Discus (1.6kg), Pole Vault, Javelin (800g), 1500m Note: Every event will not be offered at every meet; also events may be limited to specific age groups. Prior to the meet signup, your athlete’s coach and/or head coach will communicate the events they recommend for your athlete.

Initially, most track meets are normally held within a three (3) hour distance of Raleigh, NC. However, as the season progresses, we will participate in meets that are out of state (i.e. Regional and Nationals.) Click on the following link Schedule to get the list of meets. Please note that meet schedule is subject to change throughout the season.

Developmental meets are normally ran during the first ¾ of the season. They are intended to prepare the athletes for the qualifying meets, which will be contested towards the end of the season. Most developmental meets allow all athletes to participate and there are no standards that need to have been met in order to compete. Note: There may be some limitations of events and non-participation due to an athletes age. Qualifying meets are ran during the last quarter of the season. Qualifying meets normally consist of three rounds (i.e. Association/District, Regional, National) with the final round being the Junior Olympics. An athlete or relay team must be in a top certain number of spots to “advance” to the next round. If an athlete or relay team do not “advance” their season will end.

Track meets will be contested in heat and rain, so plan accordingly. Please listen for instructions from meet management in the case of inclement weather (i.e. thunder, lightning.) If a rain delay requires you to leave the stadium, please pay attention to the Track Xplosion GroupMe for additional guidance and potential return times.

Review the Track Meet Packing Guide to get more information

Travel varies from year to year depending on the meets that we select. The first part of the season normally consists of meets that are within a three (3) hour distance of Raleigh, NC. However, later in the season, there may be more out of state meets depending on the location of the AAU / USATF Regional and National meets. Travel and transportation costs are the responsibility of the parent/guardian. Limited transportation may be provided for the AAU / USATF Association/District, Regional and National meet participants, on a case by case basis.

Athletes must compete in a Track Xplosion uniform or uniform approved by Track Xplosion President or Head Coach. Athletes are not to alter or add additional clothing over or under the official uniform (such as leggings or shirts that extend beyond the uniform) unless approved by Track Xplosion President or Head Coach. Uniforms can be purchased on the Team Store on the Track Xplosion Website. Track Xplosion t-shirts, jackets, tights, sweats, etc. can be purchased on the Team Store on the Track Xplosion Website.

Athletes should dress appropriately for the expected and possible weather conditions of practices/meets. Dress athletes in layers so that they can shed layers as they warm up and add layers when cooling down. Sweats should be worn to keep athlete’s muscles warm. In addition to spikes, athletes should always bring running shoes to practice, as well as meets.

Athletes should have a good pair of running shoes as well as a pair of spikes. However, before purchasing spikes, please discuss what type of events your athlete will be contesting to ensure you purchase the correct type of spikes. Athletes should always bring running shoes and spikes to every meet and practice. In addition, spikes should be check on a consistent basis to ensure that “pins” are in good shape and do not need to be replaced. Spike pins should be ¼ inch pyramids. Running shoes and spikes can be purchased on-line (i.e. Amazon, First To The Finish, Fitness Sports, Nike) and at local merchants such as Dick’s Sporting Goods, Fleet Feet (Cameron Village District), Bull City Running (Durham), Hibbett Sports, Academy Sports. Call the local merchants first to determine their selection and sizes. Inappropriate practice and meet footwear includes: Crocs, clogs, foam runners Basketball shoes Flip-flops

Purchase of throw equipment is recommended. Athletes use different size throwing equipment depending on their age group. Refer to the Throws Implement Specification charts to find the correct size equipment based on your athletes' age group. Throwing shoes are recommended but not required. Throw equipment and shoes can be purchased on-line (i.e. Amazon, Everything Track and Field, First To The Finish). Athlete should bring their throwing shoes and equipment to meets and practice. However, it is the athlete's responsibility to keep up with their equipment. These items all look very similar so be sure to properly label for easier identification.

Water is the preferred beverage. Please avoid carbonated beverages such as soda and it is suggested that athletes dilute electrolyte drinks such as Gatorade or PowerAde with some water as the high sugar contents often lead to cramping.

There are many different philosophies on pre-competition nutrition. However, a good basic rule of thumb is to only eat foods that easily digest before a practice or competition. Examples include fruits, eggs, and oatmeal. Avoid foods with high fat levels and dairy before a competition. Refer to Nutrition Guide on the Documents page

Simple sugars within a half hour to hour after competition such as those in fruits, bagels, etc. are recommended. Foods containing antioxidants will help your athletes replenish their fuel sources quickly and decrease muscle fatigue.