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USAPL/IPF REFEREES 03-23-2001
USAPL MEET DIRECTORS
USAPL EC/NGB MEMBERS
USAPL COACHES & ATHLETES
RE: IPF RULE CHANGES - RESULTS OF TECHNICAL RULES CONGRESS
All,
Please find the following summary of IPF rule changes which are now effective as a result of recommendations made from the IPF Technical Committee, which were forwarded and ratified by the 2000 IPF Technical Rules Congress, with some amendment.
Overall, it can be seen that many disqualification definitions have been made more “lifter friendly” - allowing for very minor position adjustments, which could not reasonably be considered to have aided in the performance of the lift. Of course, the Technical Committee must always retain a keen eye on preserving the integrity of the lifts, regardless.
An additional significant development from this past IPF Congress is the creation of three new age categories, Sub-Juniors for both men and women, Master II (with all weight classes) for Women, and Master III for Men.
Please study the following summary, incorporating the changes into your working knowledge of the IPF Powerlifting Rules. A copy of the revised IPF rulebook may be purchased from P.J. Couvillion, IPF Technical Committee.
With best regards,
Michael W. Overdeer
President, USA Powerlifting
SUMMARY OF IPF RULE CHANGES – TECHNICAL RULES CONGRESS DECISIONS
The IPF has clarified that any competition, whether it is Local, Regional, National Continental or International, which is advertised or stated to be run under IPF rules, must apply all IPF rules without variance. While USAPL rules for performance of the lifts, personal equipment regulations, and many other areas are virtually the same (as IPF rules); Meet Directors and Referees must note that if the meet is stated to be run under IPF rules, then specifications for age divisioning, platform equipment, sponsor advertising, flight and session determinations, referee/jury assignments, etc. must follow IPF criteria. USAPL has provided for some latitude in these areas (i.e.: Lb. Weights, non-adjustable bench uprights, 2 yr. Teen age divisions, 5 yr. Master age divisions 145 kg. weight class for men, etc.), while the IPF does not. Meet Directors must decide if they will run their meet under USAPL rules, or if they are able to state, and be obligated to comply fully with IPF rules.
AGE DIVISIONS:
A new Sub-Junior age category has been established which is for both males and females who have reached their 14th birthday throughout the full calendar year in which he/she reaches 18 years of age.
The Junior age category will be from January 1 of the year he/she becomes 19 years of age throughout the full calendar year in which he/she reaches 23 years of age.
A new Master III age category for men has been established which is for men from 60 years of age upwards. Age grouping for masters is determined by actual birth date.
A new Master II age category for women has been established which is for women from 50 years of age upwards. Age grouping for masters is determined by actual birth date. Weight classes for Women’s Master Categories is now the same as for Junior and Open Categories – Teams of ten lifters, no more than two in a weight class.
PERSONAL EQUIPMENT
The "Support Shirt" replaces the "Bench Press Shirt" definition, which now also includes the "Erector Shirt" which may be worn for both the Squat and Deadlift. Please note that these additional support shirts must be listed as IPF approved, as with all other supportive gear.
The leg of the Lifting Suit need not be formed to fit exactly parallel around the leg. It may be cut higher on the outside of the leg.
Non-supportive Lifting Suits/Costumes may have legs up to a maximum of 25 cm. in length.
"Schoolboy" lifters in other than major competitions are allowed the use of shorts and T-shirts if the presiding officials determine that their equipment gives them no unfair advantage. PLEASE NOTE that under USAPL rules, this may only be applied for HIGH SCHOOL ONLY competitions.
The Medical Committee insists that shin length socks be worn to cover and protect the shins, if the lifter physically drags the bar up the shins during the execution of the Deadlift. Protective covering may be added to the inside of the shin-length socks, if such protective covering is determined at equipment check to be of no aid in the performance of the lift.
Lifting Shoes/Boots worn on the platform may only be Sports Shoes/Sports Boots, Weightlifting or Powerlifting Shoes/Boots, or Deadlift Slippers. No part of the underside (sole) shall be higher than 5 cm. The underside must be uniform on both sides. Loose inner soles that are not a part of the manufactured shoe shall be limited to 1 centimeter in thickness.
An elasticized knee cap supporter not exceeding 30 cm. in length may be worn. Knee sleeves 30 cm in length as worn by Weightlifting are also legal. A combination of the two is strictly forbidden.
The use of any form of adhesive on the underside of footwear is strictly forbidden. This includes any "built-in" adhesive – e.g. pressure-sensitive sandpaper, emery cloth, etc. This also includes resin and magnesium carbonate. A spray of water is acceptable.
POWERLIFTING/PLATFORM EQUIPMENT
No foreign substances may be applied to the powerlifting equipment. Only those substances which may be used periodically as a sterile agent in the cleaning of the bar, bench or platform.
Rubber or rubber-cover discs are acceptable for use provided there is a minimum of 10 cm. from the outside of the collars to the end of the bar, for spotter’s grip outside of the last disc.
Bench height – not less than 42 cm. and not exceeding 45 cm. measured from the floor to the top of the (non-depressed) padded surface of the bench. The height of the uprights, which must be adjustable, shall be a minimum of 75 cm. to a maximum of 110 cm., measured from the floor to the bar rest position.
The bench shall be paced on the platform with the head facing front, or angled up to 45 degrees.
The red, yellow and blue card system denoting faults in lifting performance as determined by the platform referees has been approved, and use of this system is now mandatory. Referees must familiarize themselves with the system, and understand where any changes in the rules of performance will be applied (via faults) in utilizing the cards.
A properly detailed scoreboard, in view of the spectators, officials, and all concerned with the progress of the competition, must be provided. The lifter’s names should be arranged by lot numbers for each session.
RULES OF PERFORMANCE
GENERAL:
During the process of the lifter "setting up" or positioning him/herself to begin the lift, he/she will settle into an apparent starting position to receive the command to begin the attempt. If, after a period of 5 seconds in this position, the lifter is still not in the correct position to receive the command to begin the lift, the Chief Referee will request the lifter to "Replace" the bar, together with a backward movement of the arm. Observing safety and correct technique, the lifter may again remove the bar from the racks, within the balance of his/her time remaining on the clock. If the time for his/her attempt has not expired, and the lifter correctly assumes the starting position, he/she will receive the signal to begin the lift.
SQUAT:
Minor movement of the bar on the back may be allowed during the course of the lift, however, any movement of the bar on the back more than it’s thickness/diameter from it’s original position at the commencement of the lift, will be cause for disqualification.
The attempt is deemed to have commenced when the lifter’s knees have unlocked.
Excessive movement of the feet is not allowed during the course of he lift, although minor foot movement will be allowed. Minor movement will be defined as slight lateral movement, or toes/heels coming up off the platform. The toes and heels must return to their original position.
Contact with the bar or the lifter by the spotters/loaders between the Chief Referee’s signals, which aids the lifter, or makes the lift easier – is not allowed.
Contact of the lifter’s elbows or upper arms with the legs which supports or aids the lifter – is not allowed. However, slight contact is permitted if the officials deem that there was no supporting that aided the lifter.
BENCH PRESS:
There may be no change in the elected lifting position during the lift proper, i.e. any raising movement of the shoulders, buttocks or feet from their original points of contact with the bench and floor, nor any lateral movement of the hands on the bar. Slight, or very minor foot movement is allowed, and must be determined at the referees’ discretion. The head coming off the bench is no longer a reason for disqualification.
The spacing of the hands shall not exceed 81 cm. – measured between the forefingers. (both forefingers must be between the 81cm. marks.) If, in the case of an historic injury or anatomic disparity, the lifter is unable to grip the bar equally with both hands, he/she must inform the referees prior to lift-off for each attempt, and if necessary, the bar will be marked accordingly. The use of the reverse grip is forbidden.
There shall be no pronounced or exaggerated uneven extension of the arms during the lift. The lifter must press the bar to full extension of the arms, locking them out simultaneously at the completion of the lift.
There shall be no deliberate contact between the bar and the bar rest supports during the course of the lift which aids the lifter, or makes the lift easier.
DEADLIFT:
If the bar is shaking while in proximity to the knee area, while not exactly pure, this should not be reason for disqualification.
Supporting the bar on the thighs during the performance of the lift is not allowed. However, if the bar edges up the thighs, but is not supported, this is not reason for disqualification.
Downward movement of the bar before it reaches before it reaches the final position is not allowed. However, if the bar settles as the shoulders come back at the completion of the lift, this should not be reason to disqualify the lift.
Stepping forward or backward during the course of the lift is not allowed. Lateral movement of the sole, and/or "rocking" of the feet between the ball and heel is permitted.
Allowing the bar to return to the platform without maintaining control with both hands – i.e.: releasing the bar from the palms of the hands before it’s return to the platform – is cause for disqualification.
REFEREE/JURY FUNCTIONS:
The inspection of costume and personal equipment for each and every lifter in the competition may take place at any time (times may be announced at the technical meeting) throughout the meet, up to twenty minutes prior to the start of the athlete’s competition session.
Any lifter successful in a world record attempt will be immediately inspected by the Jury.
Compensatory Time: - Where a group of athletes is involved, unloading and re-loading of the bar will take place after the compensatory time period has expired. The bar is then re-loaded, next, the clock may be started for the following lifter’s one minute to begin their attempt, at the Chief Referee’s call.
If, in a round, an attempt is unsuccessful due to a wrongly loaded bar, spotter error or equipment failure, the lifter will be granted a further attempt at the correct weight. If the fault is a wrongly loaded bar, and the attempt has not actually started, then the lifter shall be given the option of either continuing at that time, or taking their attempt at the end of the round. In all other cases, the lifter shall take his/her extra attempt at the end of the round. If the lifter also happens to be the last lifter in the round, he/she shall be granted a three minute rest prior to his/her attempt. If there are only two lifters left in a round, two minutes rest period will be added at the end of the round. If there are only three lifters left in a round, one minute rest period will be added at the end of the round. These compensatory time rules apply also for fourth attempts for records. In the case where a lifter is following him/herself, and given compensatory rest time, the bar will be loaded as soon as the new attempt is turned in. The compensatory time will then be added to the usual one minute to begin the attempt. The clock will be started, and the lifter will have the combined time to begin his/her attempt. Lifters following themselves will have four minutes time placed on the clock, during which time the lifter can begin his/her attempt as soon as he/she is ready. The first lifter of two left in a round will be given three minutes, the first lifter of three left in a round will be given two minutes, all others will be given the usual one minute to begin their attempts.
Attempt Changes: Weights submitted for second round attempts on all three lifts cannot be changed. Similarly, third round attempts on the squat and bench press cannot be changed. Following this rule, once an attempt has been turned in, it cannot be withdrawn. The bar shall be loaded to the weight requested, and the clock will be run.
Jointly submitted by P.J. Couvillion, Technical Committee Chair
and Michael W. Overdeer, USAPL President
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