Section 3: Playing Area
3.1 Track Dimensions
Rule 280, paragraph 1 sets the standard track: for ISU Events, the Olympic Winter Games and Winter Youth Olympic Games, the track is an oval of 111.12 m laid out in a covered, enclosed and heated ice rink of minimum measurements 60 x 30 m. The width of the straight must not be less than 7 m, and the distance from the apex block of the bends to the barrier must not be less than 4 m. Curves and turns must be made symmetrically. In Semi-Finals and Finals of 500 m, the outside tracks (tracks 1 and 5 when five tracks are used, or 1 and 7 when seven tracks are used) are not skated — only the middle tracks are used (Rule 280, paragraph 1.f).
3.2 Track Markers
Rule 280, paragraph 4 requires track marking blocks of an approved design by the ISU Short Track Technical Committee, with seven blocks used in each curve. Starting lines and the finish line are denoted by lines not more than 2 cm wide, drawn from the barrier; the finish line has a length equal to the width of the straight plus 1.5 m (Rule 280, paragraph 2).
3.3 Safety Infrastructure
Rule 280, paragraph 5 defines three categories of rink padding system: a Basic/Traditional rink board Padding System, where pads are placed against the boarding surrounding the ice; a Hybrid Padding System, where the boarding is partially removed near the curve exits and the start/finish line and self-standing mats are connected together to absorb impact; and a Moveable Padding System, with no boarding around the ice and fully self-standing, interconnected mats. For the Olympic Winter Games, a Moveable Padding system is mandatory. For ISU Events and Winter Youth Olympic Games a Moveable or Hybrid Padding system must be used as a minimum; International Senior and Junior (age categories A & B) Competitions require at least a Traditional system, and International Junior Competitions age categories C & D require at least a Basic Padding System (Rule 280, paragraph 5.e–h).