The Main Rules of Decathlon: Everything About This Challenging Kind of Sport

Decathlon is a track-and-field discipline that includes ten separate athletic competitions. These competitions take place one by one for two days (five competitions for each day). An overall result of every participant is determined by his results in all ten disciplines. The given kind of sport, in general, and each discipline, in particular, are governed by a specific scoring system, which means that it is the result rather than a place among others that is considered. After that, the points are summed up to define the final outcome. Decathlon competitions are organized for men only; female athletes compete in heptathlon events. Decathlon events take place at summer stadiums and are an obligatory part of the Summer Olympics since 1912. Thus, the given article is going to present the basics of decathlon to understand the general principles of the given kind of sport.

General Peculiarities

The first day is designed to allow athletes to demonstrate their speed and explosive force. This day witnesses the following competitions:

• 100-meter running;
• long jumping;
• shot putting;
• high jumping;
• 400-meter running.

At the same time, the second day makes athletes compete in their coordination and stamina. This day organizes the following disciplines:

• 110-meter hurdling;
• discus throwing;
• pole jumping;
• javelin throwing;
• 1500-meter racing.

As a rule, decathlon disciplines are governed by the same rules that are found in individual sporting competitions. However, there are still some peculiar features that are worth considering. They are as follows:

1. When it comes to long jumping, all kinds of throwing, and shot putting, an athlete is given only three attempts in each of them.
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2. The time of each participant is determined by three independent chronometers and with the help of electronic time-keeping.
3. As for running, both traditional and hurdling, an athlete is disqualified if he shows a false start even once.
4. On one time-keeping system can be used during the whole decathlon competition.
5. 1500-meter running (the last event) must consist of athletes who are going to take prize places.
6. It should take at least 30 minutes between two consecutive competitions.
7. If an athlete fails to participate in one of the ten disciplines, he may not qualify for the next discipline. In addition to that, his name will not be included in the final qualification statement.
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After that, it is said to be reasonable to present specific information on each discipline that is included in the program of the decathlon.

100-Meter Running

This competition is said to be the basis of the decathlon. It is explained by the fact that speed is the main skill necessary to achieve successful results here. Furthermore, speed is also necessary to show decent performance in the other disciplines. However, it does not mean that athletes should devote all their time to train their sprinter abilities. It is believed that too often training can result in an overload of locomotor apparatus, psychological tension, and numerous injuries. That is why athletes are not recommended to train their sprinting skills more than 2-3 times a week.

Long Jumping

Long jumping is closely connected with the decathlon discipline mentioned above. Furthermore, long jumping results are highly appreciated in while calculating total points. Successful results can be achieved by those athletes who manage to perform the correct run and take off at a great speed. That is why this discipline is said to be a key one for decathlon participants. Almost every successful decathlon athlete can impress with the decent long jumping results of 7.5-8.5 meters. This sporting activity implies high pressure on a jumping leg and spine. That is why it is not reasonable to deal with long jumping training more than two times a week.

Shot Putting

In this discipline, the best results are demonstrated by those athletes who have a relatively high body mass to exercise more strength. As a rule, decathlon shot putters manage to make their supplement overcome the distances of 14.5-16.0 meters. If they want to increase their results in the given domain, they should gain more weight and work hard to develop their strength and technique. Nevertheless, the most professional and experienced athletes point out that putting technique is more important. By the way, athletes should understand that their extra kilograms will be considered disadvantages when it comes to 400 and 1500-meter running.

High Jumping

According to the modern state of affairs, athletes should show the results of 200-210 cm in this discipline. It is possible if these athletes devote enough time to master the peculiar technique. There is a useful hint here that if an athlete manages to master this high jumping technique in advance, he will be able to show decent results for a long period of time. At the same time, poor technique will create significant problems for decathlon overall results.

400-Meter Running

400-meter running requires from its participants to have great speed stamina and is said to be a great challenge for decathlon athletes, both during official competitions and training sessions. It is believed that decathlon participants should utilize a technique that is different from that found in traditional 400-meter sprints. According to it, sprinters achieve the highest level of load with the help of intervals and repeated runs. When made by decathlon athletes, it will influence the preparation for the rest disciplines (except for 1500-meter running), while there are no guarantees that 400-meter running performance will become better. The most suitable training session for this discipline is represented by regular marathon runs that are good for developing general stamina.

110-Meter Hurdling

This discipline is said to be the second most important part of the decathlon. That is why athletes should draw much of their attention to it. It is reasonable for athletes to do stretching and other suitable exercises every day during regular physical activities, warm-up exercises, and so on. Hurdling helps develop a sense of rhythm, joint mobility, and courage. These are the qualities that are of key importance for all the other decathlon disciplines.

Discus Throwing

Discus throwing is a technically difficult part of decathlon competitions. If an athlete shows poor performance in this discipline due to his unsuitable training and preparation, it can negatively influence his overall position in the decathlon grid. That is why athletes should deal with discus throwing training all year round. Fortunately, there are perfect possibilities for athletes to train what they want both in summers and in winters.

Pole Vaulting

Pole vaulting is a promising decathlon discipline for many athletes. Thus, tall, fast, and dexterous athletes do not feel any troubles with a height of 5.00 meters. However, even those athletes who cannot impress with the perfect qualities above can achieve successful results here. In this case, regular and productive training is the key to success for them.

Javelin Throwing

As a rule, many decathlon athletes tend to show their poorest results exactly when it comes to javelin throwing. The fact is that they neglect training that should take place all year round. They should develop the mobility of their shoulder joints, strengthen the muscles of elbow joints, and learn the correct technique of javelin throwing. In addition to that, it is reasonable to focus on this discipline from a tactical point of view. Thus, an athlete who can show decent javelin throwing results is considered an essential opponent till the end of competitions.

1500-Meter Running

This decathlon discipline witnesses the greatest difference between the performance of the most experienced athletes. For example, Litvinenko managed to overcome the distance over 4:06.9 at the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich, which created 768 points for him. As a result, he moved from the 8th place to the 2nd one. What is more, it takes about 4:35-4:45 for many athletes to overcome the distance of 1500 meters, which gives them 200-250 points. It is not reasonable for an athlete to deal with training designed specifically for this discipline when the competition is soon going to happen. However, it is recommended to lay the basis for successful performance in advance. Finally, it should be mentioned that great significance is paid to the athletes’ endurance and stamina.

Decathlon Technique

The technique is said to be represented by the most effective and efficient movements that are made to achieve the best possible result. That is why the most common technique mistakes are connected with the fact that athletes have wrong information concerning the shape of movements, required efforts, and the correct rhythm. That is why theoretical basics are said to be of crucial significance for athletes to master the correct technique of sporting movements. The same importance is given to understand the biomechanical peculiarities of every exercise.

At this point, it is necessary to distinguish between two different variations of the sporting techniques. The first of them is represented by an ideal model designed on the basis of practical experience of the most outstanding athletes. The second one is really formulated technique that depends on individual peculiarities as well as physical and psychological abilities of this or that athlete. At the same time, it should be mentioned that individual technique peculiarities are either effective or wrong because of a low level of master this technique and poor training.

History

Decathlon in its modern meaning dates back to the ancient times when the first Olympic Games were taking place. Then, ancient athletes competed in a number of particular disciplines. At the same time, the rules of modern decathlon were developed in 1911. Scoring tables were reconsidered several times in 1935, 1952, and 1962. As a result, the scoring system that is used to govern the modern decathlon competitions was adopted in Los Angeles in 1984.