WPA POWERLIFTING RULEBOOK - Rules of Performance/Weigh-in

IV. THE POWERLIFTS AND RULES OF PERFORMANCE


1. SQUAT

a. THE LIFTER SHALL ASSUME AN UPRIGHT POSITION WITH THE TOP OF THE BAR NOT MORE THAN 1 INCH BELOW THE TOP OF THE ANTERIOR
DELTIODS. THE BAR SHOULD BE HELD ACROSS THE SHOULDERS WITH THE HANDS AND/OR FINGERS GRIPPING THE BAR AND THE FEET FLAT
ON THE PLATFORM WITH THE KNEES LOCKED.

b. AFTER REMOVING THE BAR FROM THE RACKS THE LIFTER MUST MOVE BACKWARDS TO ESTABLISH HIS POSITION. THE LIFTER WAITS IN
THIS POSITION FOR THE CENTER REFEREE'S SIGNAL WHICH IS GIVEN AS SOON AS THE LIFTER DEMONSTRATES CONTROL WITH THE BAR
PROPERLY POSITIONED. THE SIGNAL IS A DOWNWARD MOVEMENT OF THE ARM AND THE VERBAL COMMAND "SQUAT".

c. UPON RECEIVING THE SIGNAL, THE LIFTER MUST BEND THE KNEES AND LOWER THE BODY UNTIL THE TOP OF THE THIGH AT THE HIP (NOT
THE HIP JOINT), IS LOWER THAN THE TOP OF THE KNEE (NOT KNEE CAP). LOCKING AND UNLOCKING OF THE KNEES AFTER THE SIGNAL IS NOT
DEFINED AS A DESCENT, HOWEVER, THE KNEES MUST BE LOCKED AT THE START AND COMLETION OF THE LIFT. ONLY ONE DESCENT
ATTEMPT IS ALLOWED.

d. THE LIFTER MUST RECOVER FROM THE DEEPEST POINT WITHOUT DOUBLE BOUNCING OR ANY DOWNWARD MOVEMENT (STOPPING IS
ALLOWED), TO AN UPRIGHT POSITION WITH THE KNEES LOCKED. WHEN THE LIFTER DEMONSTRATES CONTROL THE REFEREE GIVES THE
COMMAND TO "RACK" (REPLACE THE BAR).

e. THE SIGNAL TO REPLACE THE BAR IS A BACKWARD MOTION OF THE HAND AND THE VERBAL COMMAND "RACK". THE LIFTER MUST MAKE
A BONAFIDE EFFORT TO REPLACE THE BAR. THIS IS DEFINED AS A STEP TWARDS THE RACKS, AFTER THIS THE LIFTER MAY RECEIVE AID IN
REPLACING THE BAR. IF THE LIFTER DROPS THE WEIGHT AFTER MAKING A BONAFIDE EFFORT TO REPLACE THE BAR HE WILL BE GRANTED
THE ATTEMPT. HOWEVER, IF THE LIFTER DELIBERATLY DUMPS THE BAR, OR WALKS OUT FROM UNDER THE BAR LEAVING THE SPOTTERS
HOLDING THE BAR, THE LIFTER WILL AUTOMATICALLY BE DISQUALIFIED FOR JEOPARDIZING THE SAFETY OF THOSE ON THE PLATFORM.

f. THE LIFTER SHALL FACE THE FRONT OF THE PLATFORM.

g. NOT MORE THAN 5 OR LESS THAN 2 SPOTTERS PERMITTED ON THE PLATFORM.

h. THE LIFTER IS ALLOWED TO ENLIST THE AID OF THE SPOTTERS IN REMOVING THE BAR AND WALKING OUT WITH THE BAR. HOWEVER,
WHEN THE LIFTER HAS ESTABLISHED HIS STARTING POSITION TO PERFORM THE LIFT THE SPOTTERS MAY NOT ASSIST HIM WITH REGARD TO
HOLDING WEIGHT WHILE FOOT POSITIONING, BAR POSITIONING, ECT IS ESTABLISHED. MONOLIFTS ARE ALSO ALLOWED FOR THE SQUAT.
THESE RULES HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED FOR THE LIFTERS SAFETY.

i. IF THE LIFTER IS USING MEET PROVIDED SPOTTERS AND NOT HIS OWN, AND AN ERROR IS MADE BY A SPOTTER WHICH CAUSES FAILURE OF
HIS LIFT, HE WILL BE GIVEN AN ADDITIONAL ATTEMPT. THE LIFTER MAY REQUEST THAT HE BE ALLOWED TO USE HIS PERSONAL SPOTTERS
RATHER THAN MEET SPOTTERS IF HE WISHES, HOWEVER, HE WILL NOT BE GRANTED AN ADDITIONAL ATTEMPT IF HIS OWN SPOTTERS CAUSE
HIM TO MISS A LIFT!

j. THE LIFTER CANNOT HOLD THE COLLARS, SLEEVES, OR PLATES DURING THE PERFORMANCE OF THE LIFT. THE EDGE OF THE HANDS
GRIPPING THE BAR MAY COME INCONTACT WITH THE INNER SURFACE OF THE COLLAR HOWEVER.

CAUSES FOR DISQUALIFICATION OF A SQUAT.

1. FAILURE TO OBSERVE SIGNALS AT THE COMMENCEMENT AND COMPLETION OF LIFT
2. DOUBLE BOUNCING OR MORE THE ONE RECOVERY ATTEMPT AT BOTTOM OF LIFT
3. FAILURE TO ASSUME AN UPRIGHT POSITION WITH KNEES LOCKED AT START AND FINISH OF THE LIFT
4. FAILURE TO OBTAIN PROPER REQUIRED DEPTH IN PERFORMANCE OF THE LIFT
5. CHANGING POSITION OF THE BAR ON SHOULDERS AFTER THE LIFT HAS BEGUN
6. CONTACT WITH THE BAR BY SPOTTERS DURING THE LIFT EXCEPT DURING A SAFETY ISSUE
7. CONTACT OF THE ELBOWS OR UPPER ARMS WITH THE LEGS
8. FAILURE TO MAKE A BONA FIDE EFFORT TO RETURN THE BAR TO THE RACKS
9. INTENTIONALLY DROPPING/DUMPING BAR OR WALKING OUT FROM UNDER BAR WHEN THE SPOTTERS GRAB THE BAR


2. BENCH PRESS

a) THE FRONT OF THE BENCH MUST BE PLACED ON THE PLATFORM FACING THE CENTER REFEREE
b) LIFTERS STARTING POSITION IS WITH THE BACK OF HIS HEAD, SHOULDERS AND BUTTOCKS IN CONTACT WITH THE FLAT BENCH SURFACE.
HIS SHOES MUST BE ON THE FLOOR
c) PLATES OR BLOCKS NOT EXCEEDING 18cms HEIGHT MAY BE USED TO BUILD UP THE SURFACE OF THE PLATFORM, BUT SOME PART OF THE
FOOT MUST REMAIN IN CONTACT WITH THE SURFACE. IF BLOCKS ARE USED THEY SHALL NOT EXCEED 45cms BY 45cms.
d) NOT MORE THAN 4 NOR LESS THAN 2 SPOTTERS/LOADERS SHALL BE IN ATTENDANCE. THE LIFTER MAY OBTAIN HELP FROM THE SPOTTERS
IN REMOVING THE BAR FROM THE RACKS. THE LIFT OFF MUST BE TO ARMS LENGTH AND NOT DOWN TO THE CHEST. THE LIFTER MAY UTILIZE
HIS OWN SPOTTERS AND HAND OFF PERSON IF REQUESTED.
e) THE SPACING OF THE HANDS WILL NOT EXCEED 31 7/8 INCHES (81 CMS) MEASURED BETWEEN THE FOREFINGERS OR IN THE CASE OF A
REVERSE GRIP LIFTER, THE MEASUREMENT IS BETWEEN THE LITTLE FINGERS
f) AFTER RECEIVING THE BAR AT ARMS LENGTH, THE LIFTER LOWERS THE BAR TO HIS CHEST AND AWAITS THE REFEREE'S SIGNAL WHICH IS
A VERBAL COMMAND OF "PRESS". ADJUSTMENTS CAN BE MADE WITHOUT PENALTY BEFORE THE COMMAND.
g) THE SIGNAL TO PRESS IS GIVEN WHEN THE BAR IS MOTIONLESS ON THE CHEST AND UNDER CONTROL.
h) AFTER THE PRESS COMMAND IS GIVEN THE BAR IS PRESSED UPWARD TO STRAIGHT ARMS LENGTH AND HELD MOTIONLESS UNTIL THE
AUDIBLE COMMAND "RACK" IS GIVEN
i) THE BAR IS ALLOWED TO STOP IN ITS UPWARD MOVEMENT BUT NO DOWNWARD MOVEMENT IS PERMITTED
j) HEAD MOVEMENT IS ALLOWED. THIS INCLUDES TURNING OR RAISING THE HEAD.
k) FOOT MOVEMENT IS ALLOWED WITHIN REASON. THIS INCLUDES RISING ON TOES OR HEALS. THE FEET CANNOT LEAVE THE FLOOR.
SHUFFLING OF THE FEET IS NOT ALLOWED.
l) AFTER THE COMMAND TO PRESS IS GIVEN THE BUTTOCKS MUST REMAIN ON THE FLAT BENCH SURFACE. AS LONG AS SOME PORTION OF
THE BUTTOCKS REMAINS ON THE BENCH AND A SIDE REFEREE CANNOT SEE STRAIGHT THROUGH THE LIFT IS PERMISSIBLE. IF A REFEREE
CAN SEE UNDER THE BUTTOCKS HE SHALL GIVE THE LIFTER A RED LIGHT.
m) IF THE LIFTER DOES NOT WANT A HAND-OFF AND CHOSES TO LIFT THE WEIGHT OFF HIMSELF, HE DOES NOT HAVE TO START OFF AT
STRAIGHT ARMS LENGTH BUT MAY GO STRAIGHT DOWN TO THE CHEST IF HE WISHES.
n) THERE CAN BE NO DOWNWARD MOTION OF THE BAR AFTER THE PRESS COMMAND HAS BEEN GIVEN, NOT CAN THERE BE A MAJOR
CHANGE IN THE ARCH OF THE BACK. IF THE LIFTER HAS SUNK THE BAR INTO HIS CHEST BEFORE THE PRESS COMMAND HAS BEEN GIVEN IT IS
PERMISSIBLE, HOWEVER, FURTHER SINKING INTO THE CHEST AFTER THE COMMAND IS GIVEN IS NOT ALLOWED.
o) MAJOR UNEVEN EXTENSION OF THE BAR AT THE COMPLETION OF THE LIFT IS NOT ALLOWED (EXCEPT IN A PROVEN, MEDICALLY
DOCUMENTED DISABILITY)
p) DELIBERATE CONTACT WITH THE BAR AND THE BAR REST UPRIGHTS IS NOT ALLOWED. IF IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THE CONTACT WAS NOT
DELIBERATE AND DID NOT ASSIST THE LIFT THE ATTEMPT WILL BE GRANTED TO THE LIFTER.
q) THE LIFTERS FEET MAY NOT COME INTO CONTACT WITH THE UPRIGHT SUPPORTS OF THE BENCH

CAUSES FOR DISQUALIFICATION OF A BENCH PRESS

1. FAILURE TO OBSERVED THE COMMANDS AT THE COMMENCEMENT AND COMPLETION OF THE LIFT
2. RAISING THE BUTTOCKS OFF THE BENCH SURFACE
3. HEAVING OR BOUNCING THE BAR OFF OF THE CHEST OR A MAJOR CHANGE IN THE ARCH OF THE BACK
4.SINKING THE BAR INTO THE CHEST AFTER THE PRESS COMMAND
5.MAJOR UNEVEN EXTENSION OF THE BAR AT THE COMPLETION OF THE LIFT
6.DOWNWARD MOVEMENT OF EITHER HAND DURING THE UPLIFTING
7.DELIBERATE CONTACT WITH THE BAR AND BAR REST UPRIGHTS DURING THE PERFORMANCE OF THE LIFT
8. CONTACT OF THE FEET WITH THE UPRIGHT SUPPORTS OF THE BENCH
9.CONTACT OF THE BAR BY THE SPOTTERS/LOADERS BETWEEN THE REFEREE'S SIGNALS
10. RAISING THE FOOT COMPLETELY OFF THE FLOOR OR EXCESSIVE SHUFFLING MOVEMENT OF THE FEET AFTER THE PRESS COMMAND HAS
BEEN GIVEN
11. IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE LIFTER TO INFORM HIS HAND-OFF MAN TO CLEAR THE AREA IN FRONT OF THE CENTER REFEREE
IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE LIFT OFF. AS THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE, THE CENTER REFEREE MAY AT HIS DISCRETION TELL THE SPOTTERS
TO TAKE THE BAR. IF THIS OCCURS, THE LIFT WILL BE DECLARED NOT GOOD.
12. SPACING OF THE HANDS EXCEEDING 31 7/8 INCHES
13. IF THE LIFTER RECEIVES A HAND OFF AND DOES NOT BEGIN AT STRAIGHT ARMS LENGTH THE LIFT MAY BE DECLARED NO GOOD IF THE
REFEREES FEEL THE VIOLATION WAS VERY FLAGRANT


III. DEADLIFT

RULES OF PERFORMANCE


a) THE BAR MUST BE LAID HORIZONTALLY IN FRONT OF THE LIFTERS FEET, GRIPPED WITH AN OPTIONAL GRIP IN BOTH HANDS, AND LIFTED
UPWARD WITH ONE MOVEMENT UNTIL THE LIFTER IS STANDING ERECT. STOPPING THE BAR IS ALLOWED BUT NO DOWNWARD MOVEMENT IS
ALLOWED.
b) THE LIFTER WILL FACE THE FRONT OF THE PLATFORM
c) ON CONPLETION OF THE LIFT, THE KNEES SHALL BE LOCKED IN A STRAIGHT POSITION AND THE LIFTER SHALL BE STANDING ERECT. THE
SHOULDERS WILL NOT BE FORWARD OR ROUNDED. IT IS NOT NECESSARY THAT THEY BE THRUST BACK PAST THE ERECT POSITION
ALTHOUGH IT IS PERMISSIBLE IF THEY ARE AND ALL OTHER CRITERIA IS ACCEPTABLE.
d) THE CENTER REFEREE'S SIGNAL IS A DOWNWARD MOTION OF THE HAND AND THE VERBAL COMMAND "DOWN". THE SIGNAL SHALL BE
GIVEN WHEN THE BAR IS MOTIONLESS AND THE LIFTER IS IN THE APPARENT FINISHED POSITION. THERE IS NO SIGNAL TO BEGIN THE LIFT.
THE LIFTER BEGINS THE LIFT ON HIS OWN WHEN HE FEELS HE IS READY.
e. ANY RAISING OF THE BAR OR DELIBERATE ATTEMPT TO DO SO COUNTS AS AN ATTEMPT. THE LIFTER IS ALLOWED ONE PULL PER ATTEMPT
ONLY!


CAUSES FOR DISQUALIFICATION OF A DEADLIFT


1. DOWNWARD MOVEMENT OF THE BAR DURING THE UPLIFTING
2. FAILURE TO STAND ERECT WITH SHOULDERS HELD IN AN ERECT POSITION AT THE COMPLETION OF LIFT
3. FAILURE TO LOCK KNEES AT COMPLETION OF THE LIFT
4. STEPPING BACKWARD OR FORWARD DURING THE PERFORMANCE OF THE LIFT
5. LOWERING THE BAR BEFORE RECEIVING CENTER REFEREE'S SIGNAL
6. SUPPORTING THE BAR ON THE THINGS DURING THE LIFT IN A MANNER THAT THE LIFTER CAN OBTAIN LEVERAGE (HITCHING)
7. RETURNING THE BAR TO THE PLATFORM WITHOUT MAINTAINING CONTROL WITH BOTH HANDS


GENERAL NOTATIONS - ALL LIFTS

AFTER THE "RACK" COMMAND IS GIVEN IN THE BENCH PRESS THE SPOTTERS MAY GUIDE THE BAR BACK INTO THE RACKS. THE SAME HOLDS
TRUE WITH THE SQUAT. ONCE THE RACK COMMAND HAS BEEN GIVEN THE LIFT IS OFFICIALLY OVER. THIS HELPS PROMOTE SAFETY ON THE
PLATFORM.


IV. WEIGHING IN

THE WPA HAS A RULE THAT IS OPTIONAL AT MOST COMPETITIONS, AND MANDATORY AT ANY CONTINENTAL, NATIONAL OR WORLD
CHAMPIONSHIP COMPETITION. WEIGHING IN OF THE COMPETITORS MAY TAKE PLACE UP TO 24 HOURS BEFORE A LIFTING SESSION BEGINS,
OR NO LATER THAT 1/2 HOUR BEFORE THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE LIFTING SESSION. WEIGH IN SESSIONS MAY BE OF ANY DURATION, MAY
BE BROKEN UP INTO SEVERAL SESSIONS, BUT MUST BE SPECIFIED ON THE ENTRY FORMS, AND IT MAY STOP 2 HOURS BEFORE THE LIFTING
BEGINS. THE ONLY EXCEPTION IS FOR LIFTERS WHO STILL HAVE NOT MADE WEIGHT. THE STANDARD WEIGH-IN SESSION MUST BE OFFERED
AT ALL MEETS. IT SHALL LAST FOR A DURATION OF 1 1/2 HOURS, MUST BEGIN 2 HOURS BEFORE LIFTING STARTS, AND END 1/2 HOUR BEFORE
LIFTING STARTS. LIFTERS MUST BE WEIGHED IN THE NUDE OR UNDERWEAR. THE WEIGH-IN PROCEDURE WILL INSURE THAT LIFTERS ARE
WEIGHED IN BY OFFICIALS, OR APPOINTED NON-REFEREE REPRESENTATIVES OF THEIR OWN SEX. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHALL A
LIFTER BE WEIGHED-IN BY A MEMBER OF THE OPPOSITE SEX.

EXPLANATION OF OFFICIALLY MAKING WEIGHT

OFFICIAL WEIGH-IN AND RE-WEIGHS: EACH LIFTER MAY ONLY BE OFFICIALLY WEIGHED ONCE. ONLY THOSE WHOSE BODYWEIGHT IS
HEAVIER OR LIGHTER THAN THE CATEGORY LIMITS OF THE CATEGORY ENTERED ARE ALLOWED TO RETURN TO THE SCALES. THEY MUST
RETURN TO THE SCALES AND MAKE WEIGHT WITHIN THE HOUR AND A HALF ALLOWED FOR THE WEIGH-IN, OTHERWISE THEY WILL BE
ELIMINATED FROM THE COMPETITION FROM THAT BODYWEIGHT CATEGORY UNLESS THERE ARE SEVERAL WEIGH IN SESSIONS. A LIFTER
CAN ONLY BE RE-WEIGHED AFTER ALL OF THE LIFTERS IN HIS PARTICULAR BODYWEIGHT CATEGORY HAVE BEEN WEIGHED IN ONCE, IF
ONLY ONE WEIGH IN SESSION OCCURS. THIS METHOD MAY BE MODIFIED BY MEED DIRECTORS AT ALL COMPETITIONS OF STATE/PROVINCE
LEVEL OR BELOW. A LIFTER MAY TRY TO MAKE WEIGHT AS MANY TIMES AS NECESSARY UNTIL THE WEIGH-IN TIME HAS EXPIRED. IT IS THE
LIFTERS RESPONSIBILITY TOSPECIFY TO THE SCALES OFFICIAL THAT HE IS CHECKING HIS WEIGHT ONLY - AND NOT OFFICIALLY WEIGHING
IN. IT IS THE LIFTERS RESPONSIBLILITY TO INDICATE THAT HE IS OFFICIALLY WEIGHING IN FOR THE OFFICIAL TO RECORD HIS WEIGHT FOR
THE COMPETITION.

ILLEGAL RE-WEIGH: IF A LIFTER ENTERS A CERTAIN WEIGHT CLASS, STEPS ON THE SCALES AND OFFICIALLY MAKES WEIGHT WITHING THE
UPPER AND LOWER LIMITS, HE IS NOT ALLOWED TO BE RE-WEIGHED TO MAKE ANOTHER WEIGHT CLASS.

IN CASE LIFTERS TIE: IF TWO LIFTERS WEIGH THE SAME AT WEIGH-IN AND EVENTUALLY TIE IN THEIR TOTALS, THEY SHALL BE RE-
WEIGHED. THE LIGHTER LIFTER SHALL TAKE FIRST PLACE AND THE HEAVIER LIFTER SECOND PLACE. HOWEVER, IF THEY STILL WEIGH THE
SAME AFTER THE RE-WEIGH, BOTH LIFTERS SHALL SHARE FIRST PLACE AND THE PERSON WHO WOULD NORMALLY HAVE PLACED THIRD
WILL STILL BE RANKED THIRD AND SO ON. IF TWO LIFTERS TIE FOR FIRST PLACE TEAM SCORING WILL BE CONDUCTED BY ADDING FIRST
AND SECOND PLACE POINTS AND DIVIDING THEM EQUALLY.