Leica DISTO A5 User manual

Electronic Measurement in the
Horizontal Jumps
Mark Heckel, Master Official
Three Rivers Association, USA Track & Field
448 Dogwood Lane
Hughesville, PA 17737
[email protected]
570.584.3128

Electronic Measurement in the Horizontal Jumps – Mark Heckel – 2010 - Page 2
I. Basic setup of the beam
You can use a standard, certified steel tape to create the baseline for your
setup. In the illustration below, the steel tape is laid perpendicular to the
scratch line of the take-off board. To ensure that it is perpendicular, we use
the lane boundary line. Since the take-off board must be perpendicular to
the lane boundary line, this serves as a guide for alignment.
We place the “0” end of the tape at the scratch line, and extend it into the
pit (preferably through the pit) to a distance that is approximately the
length of the longest anticipated jump.
Next, we set up the beam that will be holding both the spotting laser and
the reading device. Attach the reading device securely near the end of the
beam that is closest to the takeoff board. Attach the spotting laser to the
trolley that will move along the beam. Be sure to use a lubricant that is
workable on the beam so that the trolley slides easily from one end to the
other.

Electronic Measurement in the Horizontal Jumps – Mark Heckel – 2010 - Page 3
When you are setting up the beam, ideally, it should allow for the spotting
laser to be able to travel as far back as the leading edge of the pit nearest
to the take-off board. Since any attempt in which the athlete makes the
land area, without otherwise committing a foul, is considered a legal
attempt, it must be measured. If the spotting laser cannot be pulled back
far enough (close enough) to the edge of the pit, an alternative method of
measurement will be required for those jumps.
In general, the beam should be level both in the direction of the landing
area, and perpendicular to the landing area. It should be placed a minimum
of 24” to 30” from the nearest edge of the landing area. You may need to
use shims to level the beam, or the built in leveling mechanism on the
beam. In addition, you may need sandbags or other stable weight to keep
the bases from shifting.
Once the beam has been placed and leveled, you should take at least two
(2) sample measurements to calibrate the measuring device. It is
recommended that these two measurements be around the minimum and
maximum distances that are anticipated during the competition.
Using the already in place steel tape, align the marking stake at one of the
marks. Note the distance on the steel tape (for example, 4.50m). Using the
spotting laser, align it with the edge of the white stripe on the marking
stake that is closest to the take-off board.

Electronic Measurement in the Horizontal Jumps – Mark Heckel – 2010 - Page 4
Calibrating the measurement device
These instructions are based on using the Leica Disto A5; however, the
process is essentially the same on all Leica units.

Electronic Measurement in the Horizontal Jumps – Mark Heckel – 2010 - Page 5
Turn the unit on by pressing the On/Dist key.
Press the Menu button. You will see Unit on the flashing screen. Press the
button again until Offset appears on the screen.
Press the =key. The screen will display the current offset. Using the +and –
keys, reset the offset to 0.000m. Press the =key to confirm the offset is set
to 0.000m.

Electronic Measurement in the Horizontal Jumps – Mark Heckel – 2010 - Page 6
With the spotting laser still on the check mark, press the On/Dist key. The
measurement from the end of the measuring device nearest the scratch
line to the spotting laser will appear. (For example, the distance may
appear as 3.500m). Since the marker rod is at 4.50m, we need to set the
offset to 1.000m.
Repeat the process of accessing the Offset menu.
This time, use the +and –keys to set the offset at 1.000m.
Press the =key to confirm the offset and lock it in.
Without moving the spotting laser, press the On/Dist key to take another
measurement. The new distance on the screen should now read
approximately 4.500m. Remember that the last digit to the right is ignored
when reading the measurement. A reading of 4.508m would be 4.50m.

Electronic Measurement in the Horizontal Jumps – Mark Heckel – 2010 - Page 7
Move the spotting laser to the second checkmark, read and verify the
distance.
As an in-event checkmark, pick a distance that you can quickly move the
spotting laser to. Place a small marker, such as a small piece of tape, on the
ground outside the landing area that will not be disturbed. This can serve as
a checkmark during the competition.
Record this distance on a separate sheet of paper. Between flights or
between trials and finals, you can move to the check mark and verify that
the beam has not moved.
Measuring the landing mark
1. Once the athlete has exited the pit, insert the stake into the sand. Make
sure the stake is placed so the middle of the white tape is inside the
depression made by the jumper, rather than in front of the depression.
The tape must be on the side facing the guide rail.
2. Slide the scope carriage down the rail until the spotting scope beam is
aligned with the edge nearest the take-off board of the white line on the
stake. Once it is aligned, step back from the rail.
3. Record the distance with the measuring laser. Press the On/Dist button
to turn the laser on.
4. The screen will display three hashes, signifying the laser is on and ready
to take a measurement.

Electronic Measurement in the Horizontal Jumps – Mark Heckel – 2010 - Page 8
5. Press the On/Dist button again to take a measurement.
6. Press the On/Dist button again to reset the laser but keep the
measurement on screen.
7. Press the On/Dist button again to record the next measurement.
8. If you continue to take measurements by pressing the On/Dist button
and do not press the Clear/Off button in between, the device will
display the previous three measurements taken.

Electronic Measurement in the Horizontal Jumps – Mark Heckel – 2010 - Page 9
When the competition is over
Even though you have periodically checked your check mark, you should
repeat the process that you used in setting up. Run the steel tape out
parallel to the lane boundary, and measure the same points that you
measured during the setup process. Your measurements should match.
Notes:
•Be sure to have a couple of towels available to cover the spotting laser and
the measuring device between rounds, especially in wet or sunny
conditions.
•You will also need some type of lubricant for the beam. Depending on its
material makeup, silicon or WD-40 will work very well.
•You may need to periodically wipe down the beam, as sand and grit will
tend to accumulate on it.
•Green lasers work best for outdoor competition, while red lasers tend to
work best for indoor competition.
•Have a tablet or small notebook to record your setup measurements and
your checkmark measurement.
•A small torpedo level should be part of your kit to check the level of the
beam.
•Have some wood shims in case they are needed to level the beam.
•A steel tape of at least 25’ (long jump) or 50’ (triple jump) should be used.
Normally, these are part of the horizontal events crew bag.