False start
An infringement in racing when a competitor begins to move before the official starting signal.
Definition
In sprint races, swimming and other timed events, competitors must stay still until the starting gun or signal is given. A false start is when an athlete leaves the blocks or begins moving too early.
Under most modern rules a false start leads to immediate disqualification, so athletes have to balance a fast reaction with the risk of going too soon. The rule is there to make sure every competitor starts fairly at the same moment.
Where you’ll hear “false start”
Sports that use this term:
Running
The most accessible endurance sport — no venue, just shoes and the open road or trail.
Swimming
A full-body, low-impact endurance sport suitable for almost every age and ability.
Race Walking
A technique-driven endurance sport that turns walking into a fast, low-impact discipline.
Speed Skating
A racing sport on long-bladed skates, powering around an ice oval or tight indoor track with long, rhythmic strides.
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Rules
- Lane disciplineThe rule that competitors must stay within their assigned lane in lane-based races.
- False startA rule breach in a race when a competitor begins to move before the starting signal is given.
- Swimming stroke rulesThe technical rules that define how each competitive swimming stroke must be performed and how walls are touched.
- Foot faultA serving fault called when the server's foot touches the baseline or court before striking the ball.
- Handball offenceA foul in football committed when an outfield player deliberately handles or controls the ball with the hand or arm.
Scoring systems
- How running races are timed and placedRunning races are decided by finishing order and by elapsed time, measured precisely and settled by the moment a runner's torso crosses the line.
- How swimming races are timed and placedSwimming races are decided by elapsed time and finishing order, with electronic touchpads recording when each swimmer completes the distance.
Officiating
- TimekeeperThe timekeeper is the official who runs a contest's clock — starting and stopping time, timing rounds, races and periods, and signalling when time expires.
- Start and Stop SignalsThe whistle, gun, bell or hooter an official uses to begin and end play or a race, plus the rules that keep starts clean and penalise false starts.
- Foul callA foul call is an official's ruling that a player broke a rule of contact or conduct, triggering a penalty such as a free kick, free throw or penalty.
- AdvantageIn many sports, officials let play continue after a foul when stopping would help the offender, so the fouled team keeps the advantage it has gained.
- RefereeThe primary on-field official who enforces the rules, controls play, penalises fouls, awards restarts, and blows the whistle to start and stop a match.
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- Tier A — evergreen educational
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- Content updated
- 2026-08-04
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