Coaches

2023 Coaches Information Page

Track Rules and Technical Specifications

To assist you with the preparation of your athletes and teams, please review the Track Rules that will be in effect during the Running Room Indoor Games.
Also review the Coach Information (which includes relay rules).

Transportation and Parking

Schools, charter bus companies, and organizations must make arrangements directly with Parking Services for staging and parking of buses transporting persons to the University of Alberta, including events at the Van Vliet Centre and the Universiade Pavilion (Butterdome).

Please contact Parking Services in writing, a minimum of 14 days prior to the event day at to arrange a specific location for parking.   Parking Services will advise if Jubilee is available and if it is not, will suggest an alternate location.

Be aware that there is a limited number of Bus parking stalls.   Parking services can arrange for additional areas if needed, but they will not be conveniently located in regards to the Butterdome.

Written requests may also be sent to Room 1-051 Lister Centre, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2H6.

Please allow yourself a little extra time to ensure you arrive on time.   (Traffic delays in the University of Alberta area are common during rush hour, and on competition days.)   Edmonton Transit LRT travels to the U of A campus near the Butterdome.
Go to the ETS Trip planner

Butterdome School Bus drop off locations:   Click Here to download

Event Day Reminders

If you arrive extra-early, please keep your athletes off the track and away from the infield, the back of the track, and the marshalling area.   (Your athletes will be invited to the marshalling area when it is safe to proceed.   Until then, please keep your athletes in the seating areas.)

Identify in advance an area of the Butterdome (e.g.: middle section, upper bleachers, under your school banner) where you can tell parents to meet your school.   Remember there can be up to 6000 kids at the Pavilion at one time!

It is to your team’s advantage to have all runners wearing similarly-coloured tops.   This makes it easier for the marshals to identify runners for placement on the track.   Sets of Indoor Games pinnies are available for use by teams without matching tops.

Athletes should refrain from using washrooms as change rooms.   Arrangements have been made to open the Pavilion locker rooms (which are located at the bottom of the east stairs (near the east Pavilion doors), and then turn right through the glass doors).

Arrive at least 30 minutes in advance of your competition in order to pick up your registration package and get your students down to the marshalling area.

Download Students Waiver

Track Etiquette

One lap in the Butterdome is 200m.   It is a six-lane track.   For the first round of elementary relays (February 22 and February 23), eight teams run in each heat (two sets of two teams each share a lane).

During the practice and during the meet, please instruct your athletes to stay off the track, the infield, and the back of the track when they are not running.   Athletes should also stay off all high jump and pole vault mattresses.   For their own safety, athletes should remain in the bleachers or on the concourse level until they have been directed to the marshalling area.

Two false starts against the same team or individual will result in disqualification.

Video tapes will not be accepted for review of any rule infraction.   Our officials are certified by Athletics Alberta.

Relay Coaching Resources

There are various resources regarding coaching relay teams.   In no particular order (and keeping in mind that Running Room Indoor Games relay events are 8x200m (except for Teachers Relay)), a few examples include…

  • wikiHow provides general notes in a clear manner.
  • Nigel Hetherington’s Introductory Guide provides some additional considerations.
  • RunnerGH notes the mechanics of the relay exchange, as does Coach Up Nation.
  • Coaches Corner includes thoughts regarding younger athletes.
  • Nebraska Coaches Association has high-level notes about techniques and tactics.
  • Speed Endurance’s pages on 4x200m and baton passing methods note some historical examples.   (If using a visual pass, one approach to consider is for the athlete to receive the baton with the hand they are most comfortable with and to not change hands (reducing the risk of dropping the baton shortly after the exchange, and improving stride efficiency).)