TRACK AND FIELD TEAM RACE GAME AND METHOD

Abstract

A footrace, including providing a first and a second competing team, each competing team having the same predetermined number of respective runners, positioning the respective runners on a track, wherein each runner starts in a predetermined lane, running a first race, wherein the fastest three runners of the first team and the fastest two runners of the second team are identified to move on to a second race and wherein the team having the fastest runner is awarded five points, the team having the second fastest runner awarded four points, the team having the third fastest runner awarded three points, the team having the fourth fastest runner awarded two points, and the team having the fifth fastest runner awarded one point, identifying the fastest runner from the first team, the second fastest runner from the first team, the third fastest runner from the first team, the fastest runner from the second team, and the second fastest runner from the second team, positioning the fastest three runners of the first team and the fastest two runners of the second team in respective predetermined lanes on the track, wherein the fastest runner is positioned in the longest lane, the second fastest runner is positioned in the second longest lane, the third fastest runner is positioned in the third longest lane, the fourth fastest runner is positioned in the fourth longest lane, and the slowest runner is positioned in the shortest lane, and running a second race. The footrace further includes scoring the second race by awarding the team having the fastest runner four points, the team having the second fastest runner three points, the team having the third fastest runner two points, the team having the fourth fastest runner one point, and the team having the fifth fastest runner negative one point; and determining the winning team. The runners may change lanes, but may only merge to the inside. Respective runners must cross the finish line within lanes one through five, and any runner finishing in a respective lane behind another runner is disqualified, while any runner finishing the race outside of lanes one through five is disqualified and disqualification of a respective runner subtracts previously gained points from said disqualified respective runner and subtracts an additional point from disqualified runner's team and grants two points to the opposing team.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims priority of co-pending U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 63/482,115, filed on Jan. 30, 2023, and U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 63/482,621, filed on Feb. 1, 2023, and incorporates the same herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The instant novel technology relates generally to the field of sporting events, and, more particularly, to track and field competitions.

BACKGROUND

Track and field events have been traditionally individual based competitions. Even ‘track teams’ consist of runners competing against all other runners, teammates or not. Track and field events do not allow for elements of strategy, teamwork, and variability. Thus, there remains a need for track and field games that allow for such elements as strategy and teamwork. The present novel technology addresses this need.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiments and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device, and such further applications of the principles of the disclosure as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the disclosure relates. At least one embodiment of the present disclosure will be described and shown, and this application may show and/or describe other embodiments of the present disclosure. It is understood that any reference to “the disclosure” is a reference to an embodiment of a family of disclosures, with no single embodiment including an apparatus, process, or composition that should be included in all embodiments, unless otherwise stated. Further, although there may be discussion with regards to “advantages” provided by some embodiments of the present disclosure, it is understood that yet other embodiments may not include those same advantages, or may include yet different advantages. Any advantages described herein are not to be construed as limiting to any of the claims. The usage of words indicating preference, such as “preferably,” refers to features and aspects that are present in at least one embodiment, but which are optional for some embodiments.

Although various specific quantities (spatial dimensions, temperatures, pressures, times, force, resistance, current, voltage, concentrations, wavelengths, frequencies, heat transfer coefficients, dimensionless parameters, etc.) may be stated herein, such specific quantities are presented as examples only, and further, unless otherwise explicitly noted, are approximate values, and should be considered as if the word “about” prefaced each quantity. Further, with discussion pertaining to a specific composition of matter, that description is by example only, and does not limit the applicability of other species of that composition, nor does it limit the applicability of other compositions unrelated to the cited composition.

What will be shown and described herein, along with various embodiments of the present disclosure, is discussion of one or more tests that were performed. It is understood that such examples are by way of example only and are not to be construed as being limitations on any embodiment of the present disclosure. Further, it is understood that embodiments of the present disclosure are not necessarily limited to or described by the mathematical analysis presented herein.

Various references may be made to one or more processes, algorithms, operational methods, or logic, accompanied by a diagram showing such organized in a particular sequence. It is understood that the order of such a sequence is by example only, and is not intended to be limiting on any embodiment of the disclosure.

This document may use different words to describe the same element number, or to refer to an element number in a specific family of features. It is understood that such multiple usage is not intended to provide a redefinition of any language herein. It is understood that such words demonstrate that the particular feature can be considered in various linguistical ways, such ways not necessarily being additive or exclusive.

What will be shown and described herein are one or more functional relationships among variables. Specific nomenclature for the variables may be provided, although some relationships may include variables that will be recognized by persons of ordinary skill in the art for their meaning. For example, “t” could be representative of temperature or time, as would be readily apparent by their usage. However, it is further recognized that such functional relationships can be expressed in a variety of equivalents using standard techniques of mathematical analysis (for instance, the relationship F=ma is equivalent to the relationship F/a=m). Further, in those embodiments in which functional relationships are implemented in an algorithm or computer software, it is understood that an algorithm-implemented variable can correspond to a variable shown herein, with this correspondence including a scaling factor, control system gain, noise filter, or the like.

In a first embodiment, the instant track and field game is a team-driven strategic track & field sprinting event. This embodiment may a 100-meter and/or a 200-meter race, called herein the V-100 and the V-200, respectively. The goal of this embodiment is to implement new elements to the races, in order to allow the use of strategy, subjectivity, variability, and/or team work. One novel element is that the V-100 and V-200 will be run with two competing teams and lane changes are not only allowed, but encouraged, although in other embodiments three or more teams may compete. In this embodiment, the race consists of two rounds. Round One will be a four versus four standard 100-meter/200-meter race between the two-competing teams of four members each. The top five finishers from the first four versus four round will move on to Round Two. In this particular example, Round Two consists of five runners, determined by where each respective runner placed in Round One; however, any convenient number of runners/racers may be chosen for respective rounds one and two, up to the number of lanes on a given track (typically eight). Whichever team had more runners finish in the top five from Round One, will have three runners in Round Two, while the other team will have two runners. The five runners in Round Two will be assigned to respective predetermined lanes, such as lanes 1| 3| 5|7|9. Lane 9 will typically be occupied by the first-place finisher from Round 1; lane 7 will typically be occupied by the second-place finisher from Round One; lane 5 will be typically occupied by the third-place finisher from Round One; lane 3 will typically be occupied by the fourth-place finisher from Round One; and lane 1 will typically be occupied by the fifth-place finisher from Round One, although lane choices and runner positioning may be varied as desired. Even if four of the top five placements from Round One are on the same team, that team will still only field three runners in Round Two. If a scenario occurs where four runners from one team finishes in the top five, the runner that placed closest to the bottom will be replaced by the highest placing runner from the second team that finished outside of the top five. Round Two, across both the V-100 and V-200, will be ran with a handicap in mind that places an emphasis on distance, with the highest placed runner from Round One having the furthest distance to travel, while the lowest placed runner has the shortest distance relative to the field. The reason the new distance traveled doesn't change the name from the V100 and V-200 to something greater is because the lowest placed runner will always run a total distance in Round Two of 100-meters or 200-meters respectively. The basis in which the V-100 and V-200 will be run in Round Two will allow teams to coordinate unique strategies that may give them the advantage in the race. There is a new point system that give a balanced determination on which team won. This point system gives a majority of the weight of importance to the standard 100-meter and 200-meter races in Round One. Below are detailed rules of how the V-100/V-200 will be run, diagrams of strategies involved, suggested names of each lane assignment, and a detailed point system.

The V-100/V200

This variation to the 100-meter will have five runners making up lanes 1| 3| 5| 7| 9. In this race, all runners may only merge to the inside and must cross the finish line within lanes 1-5, with one runner per lane qualifying. Those that finish outside of lanes 1-5 or finish in a lane with another runner but is behind that other runner will be disqualified. Runners may merge at any time. Depending on their teammates' positions, runners will strategically determine how and when they decide to merge. With the rule of potential runners being disqualified, teams will be able to strategize to intentionally disqualify other runners on the opposing team. These scenarios are especially advantageous for the team with only two runners in the event.

Suggested Lane Names:

Lane 9-Overdog; Lane 7-Seeker; Lane 5-Fixer; Lane 3-Major; and Lane 1-Ringer

The purpose of these names is to give the runners and the audience easily identifiable positions so as to not confused one lane from the other when discussing the race. For the runners and coaches, it also serves as a way to help come up with identifiable strategies. The Overdog as a name represents someone who is seen as the favorite to come out on top. In this race it has a double meaning, because even though they are technically the fastest in the event, they actually have the worst odds to win the race. This creating a play on words of a well-known term, ‘underdog’. The Seeker is someone who looks for opportunity wherever they can find it. In these races, the Seeker will have the chance to hold off the Overdog and potentially overtake the Fixer if need be. With the Seeker being in the second-best scoring position, it is a fitting title. The Fixer is someone who has greater control over the outcomes of situations. Here, the Fixer is able to possibly hold off the Seeker and/or Overdog, while also overtaking the Major and/or Ringer. The Major is seen to be a stable and reliable officer in battle; In the context of the V-100/V-200, the Major will be put in positions to hold their lane to disrupt the flow of merging from the outside lanes and may be expected to come in the top two places every race. Finally, the Ringer has always been the underdog in a way. The Ringer remains as such here and is expected by their team to at least hold their own to come in first or second every time, given that they have the shortest distance to run and never have to merge.

The V-200

Like the V-100, the premise of the event is to put the fastest runners at a handicap and rely on their teammates, along with strategy, to come out with the win. The difference with the V-200 is the assigned lanes: 1| 3| 5| 7|9. The same rule will apply from the V-100 lane assignments in Round Two, to determine the lane assignments for the V-200. When it comes to the handicap being applied, the runners will be staggered congruent to the V-100 distances. For example, the Overdog starts 4.24 meters from lane 5 in the V-100. With the V-200 the Overdog will be staggered 4.24 meters behind lane 1. So on and so forth to determine the stagger distance of the other runners. Next, the runners cannot merge until the 100 meter straight away because the distance of the race is double that of the V-100 and allows more time to make up the stagger at top speed. Intentional disqualification of the opposing team will come into play on the 100-meter straight away.

Point System

The point system for the novel race rules is to promote a team strategy that doesn't just emphasize being the fastest, but also the cleverest and/or the runners having the best timing. Going into the race, the point tally will be similar to the standard track & field placement. The point system for the instant novel race is as follows:

1^st=4 points; 2^nd=3 points; 3^rd=2 points; 4^th=1 point; and 5^th=−1 point

Essentially each runner receives a point for however many lanes/other runners they beat. The runner finishing last will lose a point. This was formulated to make certain that the semifinal standard race still holds more value overall. This system also works to prevent point stacking by teams.

Examples

Example 1

• • Start-
  • Overdog=5 points
  • Seeker=3 points
  • Fixer=2 points
  • Major=1 point
  • Ringer=0 points

Finish (Example 1)

• • Overdog=9 points (1st)
  • Seeker=6 points (2nd)
  • Fixer=4 points (3rd)
  • Major=2 points (4th)
  • Ringer=0 points (5th)

Example 2

• • Overdog=4 points (5th)
  • Seeker=4 points (4th)
  • Fixer=4 points (3rd)
  • Major=4 points (2nd)
  • Ringer=4 points (1st)

Example 3

• • Overdog=7 points (3rd)
  • Seeker=7 points (1st)
  • Fixer=3 points (4th)
  • Major=0 points (5th)
  • Ringer=3 points (2nd)

Disqualification Point Rule-Anytime a runner is Disqualified (DQ), they will lose all previous points in addition to minus 1 point to their team. The opposing team will automatically receive 2 points to their total.

Example

Example 4

• • Overdog=−1 points (5th)
  • Seeker=4 points+1 point (4th)
  • Fixer=4 points (3rd)
  • Major=5 points+1 point (1st)
  • Ringer=3 points (2nd)

The Showdown

The Showdown is a variation of the standard 100-meter and 200-meter race. It will be a tiebreaker event if both teams are tied in total points once Round Two has concluded. Ran as a one versus one between the top point getter for each respective team, the Showdown's goal is to pit the best runners against each other in an all-out sprint. This race will be run shortly after Round Two of the V-100 or V-200. The reason for this is because the Showdown will be untimed and a showing of grit and endurance. The rules of the Showdown are as follows: The two runners will be placed in lanes 6 and 4, with the top point getter choosing which lane they want to run in. Both runners must stay in their lanes and will only be permitted to merge into lane 5 once they individually have 70-meters left in the race. Once they have crossed that threshold, they are able to merge. The rules dictate that they need only one foot within lane 5 to qualify. A runner may only overtake lane 5 fully if they are ahead of the competing runner. If Runner A attempts to fully over take lane 5 with both feet within the lane 5 lines, while not yet ahead of Runner B, Runner A will automatically be disqualified. If one runner is able to legally take lane 5 completely, with both feet inside the lane 5 lines, then the other runner will be disqualified automatically, regardless of if they had one or no feet within the lane 5 lines. Because this race is a tiebreaker, the winner of this race will receive 1 point to their team's total for the V-100 or V-200.

Target Zones

A variation to the Shot Put and Javelin Throw. Target Zones will change the nature of these throwing event to focus on precision and strategy. There will be two teams of six competitors taking part in Round One of these events. Round Two will have two teams of 3 competitors for both events. This will be decided by the top three finishers from Round One for each team. In both rounds there will be six throws per competitor. One out of every three throws will be aimed at a Target Zone, in both rounds, according to which side the competitor decides to throw to. Before each Target Zone throw, the competitor must announce to the official which side they will be throwing to. Each Target Zone throw will combine the distance of the throw with the distance from the Target Zone. There are three sectors the zones will be placed for the javelin to cater to throwers that typically land in the left, right or middle part of the field.

Two sectors will be implemented for shot put. Target Zones will be marked every 10-meters at the middle of each section. The format still allows for distance of standard throws to be the most valuable with accuracy being the wildcard for the top four placements.

Target Zones Point System

• • Bullseye (B)=5 points
  • 1-5 Meters=3 points
  • 6-9 Meters=2 points
  • 10+Meters=1 point

Examples-Podium for Javelin

• • Placement Points—
  • 1 st=5 points
  • 2nd=3 points
  • 3rd=2 points
  • 4th=1 point
  • 5th & on =0 points
  • 1.Throw 1-65 m| Target Throw-52 m/3 m, Throw 3-67 m=8 points (1st)
  • 2.Throw 1-64 m| Target Throw-54 m/5 m, Throw 3-66 m=6 points (3rd)
  • 3.Throw 1-63 m| Target Throw-53 m/B, Throw 3-65 m=7 points (2nd)

Relays: 4×100 m & 4×200 m

The 4×100 m and 4×200 m will be ran in their standard format for Round One with eight teams occupying eight lanes. In Round Two, both races will adopt The V format. This meaning that on the final 100-meter straightaway the runners will begin to merge per The V format, no sooner. The point system from The V will also apply. Distant events, 400-meter, 800-meter, 110-meter hurdles/100-meter hurdles, 400-meter hurdles, and the Steeplechase. These events, like all others within the confines of these new rules set forth by the Track and Field Association, will be ran with eight runners, four runners each team. Unlike The V, these events will keep all eight runners in the race through both rounds. Round Two however, will be tallied by giving extra points to the team that has the most runners finish in places 1st-4th.

Point System:

• • Round One (R1)-
  • 1st=5 points
  • 2nd=3 points
  • 3rd=2 points
  • 4th=1 point
  • 5th & on =0 points
  • Round Two (R2)-
  • 1st=4 points
  • 2nd=3 points
  • 3rd=2 points
  • 4th=1 point

Example 1

• • Team A: R1-5 points| R2-4 points=1st
  • Team B: R1-3 points| R2-3 points=2nd
  • Team A: R1-2 points| R2-2 points=3rd
  • Team B: R1-1 point| R2-1 point=4

Example 2

• • Team A: R1-5 points| R2-3 points=2nd
  • Team B: R1-3 points| R2-4 points=1st
  • Team A: R1-2 points| R2-1 point=4th
  • Team B: R1-1 point| R2-2 points=3rd

Strategies

For the first time in track and field, runners and coaches will come together to form complex strategies to win races. In the instant novel technology, every element put together results in 2,160 unique outcomes. Success is influenced by whichever team has a three-to-two advantage (Advt 3) for their team. That team, given the probability of the race, will likely win. If a team has a two-to-three disadvantage (Advt 2), they will want to have someone in the Seeker/Overdog position and come in 1^st or 2^nd to have a chance to win or tie. Otherwise, the Advt 2 team will need to run a Strategy (strat) to DQ the Advt 3 team.

The discussion herein includes basic and likely strategies teams can run to give themselves the best opportunity at success. All of these strategies are applicable to both the V-100 and V-200 as well as other variations of the race.

The forgoing rule structure may be applied to different racing events as well as to other track and field related sporting events.

While the novel technology has been illustrated and described in detail in the foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character. It is understood that the embodiments have been shown and described in the foregoing specification in satisfaction of the best mode and enablement requirements. It is understood that one of ordinary skill in the art could readily make a nigh-infinite number of insubstantial changes and modifications to the above-described embodiments and that it would be impractical to attempt to describe all such embodiment variations in the present specification. Accordingly, it is understood that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the novel technology are desired to be protected.

Claims

1. A race, comprising:

a) providing a first and a second competing team, each competing team having the same predetermined number of respective runners;

b) positioning the respective runners on a track, wherein each runner starts in a predetermined lane;

c) running a first race, wherein the fastest three runners of the first team and the fastest two runners of the second team are identified to move on to a second race and wherein the team having the fastest runner is awarded five points, the team having the second fastest runner awarded four points, the team having the third fastest runner awarded three points, the team having the fourth fastest runner awarded two points, and the team having the fifth fastest runner awarded one point;

d) identifying the fastest runner from the first team, the second fastest runner from the first team, the third fastest runner from the first team; the fastest runner from the second team, and the second fastest runner from the second team;

e) positioning the fastest three runners of the first team and the fastest two runners of the second team in respective predetermined lanes on the track, wherein the fastest runner is positioned in the longest lane, the second fastest runner is positioned in the second longest lane, the third fastest runner is positioned in the third longest lane, the fourth fastest runner is positioned in the fourth longest lane, and the slowest runner is positioned in the shortest lane; and

f) running a second race;

g) scoring the second race by awarding the team having the fastest runner four points, the team having the second fastest runner three points, the team having the third fastest runner two points, the team having the fourth fastest runner one point, and the team having the fifth fastest runner negative one point; and

h) determining the winning team;

wherein runners may change lanes;

wherein respective runners may only merge to the inside;

wherein respective runners must cross the finish line within lanes one through five;

wherein any runner finishing in a respective lane behind another runner is disqualified;

wherein any runner finishing the race outside of lanes one through five is disqualified;

wherein disqualification of a respective runner subtracts previously gained points from said disqualified respective runner and subtracts an additional point from disqualified runner's team and grants two points to the opposing team.

2. The race of claim 1 wherein a) comprises providing at least three competing teams, each competing team having the same predetermined number of respective runners.

3. The race of claim 1 and further comprising:

i) after g) and before h) tallying the total point score of each respective team and noting a tie for first place;

j) running a tiebreaker race, wherein the tiebreaker race further comprises:

k) placing the fastest individual runners from each tied team in a predetermined lane spaced at least four lanes from the innermost track with at least one intervening track positioned therebetween, wherein the top scoring respective runner will choose which track each respective runner will start in, and wherein respective runners must stay in their lanes until the respective runner has 70-meters left in the race;

l) respective runners merge into the intervening lane, wherein only one foot falling within the at least one intervening lane, wherein a respective runner may only overtake the at least one intervening lane fully if they are ahead of the other respective runner;

m) if a respective runner attempts to fully overtake the at least one intervening lane with both feet within the lane 5 lines while not yet ahead of the other respective runner, the respective runner will automatically be disqualified;

n) if a respective runner is able to run in the at least one intervening lane with both feet inside the at least one intervening lane, the other runner will be disqualified automatically;

o) the winning respective runner will receive 1 point to their team's total.

4. A footrace, comprising:

a) providing at least two competing teams, each competing team having the same predetermined number of respective runners;

b) positioning the respective runners on a track, wherein each runner starts in a predetermined lane;

c) running a first race, wherein the fastest three runners of the first team and the fastest two runners of each respective subsequent teams the second team are identified to move on to a second race and wherein the team having the fastest runner is awarded five points, the team having the second fastest runner awarded four points, the team having the third fastest runner awarded three points, the team having the fourth fastest runner awarded two points, and the team having the fifth fastest runner awarded one point;

d) identifying the fastest runner from the first team, the second fastest runner from the first team, each respective subsequent team, and the second fastest runner from each respective subsequent team;

e) positioning the fastest three runners of the first team and the fastest two runners of each respective subsequent team in respective predetermined lanes on the track, wherein the fastest runner is positioned in the longest lane, the second fastest runner is positioned in the second longest lane, the third fastest runner is positioned in the third longest lane, the fourth fastest runner is positioned in the fourth longest lane, and the slowest runner is positioned in the shortest lane; and

f) running a second race;

g) scoring the second race by awarding the team having the fastest runner four points, the team having the second fastest runner three points, the team having the third fastest runner two points, the team having the fourth fastest runner one point, and the team having the fifth fastest runner negative one point;

h) scoring the race; and

i) determining the winning team;

wherein runners may change lanes;

wherein respective runners must cross the finish line within predetermined lanes;

wherein any runner finishing in a respective lane behind another runner is disqualified;

wherein any runner finishing the race outside of the predetermined lanes is disqualified;

wherein disqualification of a respective runner subtracts previously gained points from said disqualified respective runner and subtracts an additional point from disqualified runner's team and grants two points to the opposing teams.

5. The footrace of claim 3 wherein respective runners may only merge into a lower numbered lane.