USAPL Youth
As of September 21, 2003, USA Powerlifting will provide youth lifting divisions. The following guidelines will be applied:
- 10-11 year old
- 12-13 year old
- Girls: 30k (66lb), 35K (77lb), 40k (88lb), and then the already set weight classes.
- Boys: 30k (66lb), 35k (77lb), 40k (88lb), 44k (97lb), 48k (105lb) and then the set classes.
- $15.00 Youth Division fee.
- Any lifter registering for youth membership must provide a copy of their birth certificate to verify their age. Membership card and birth certificate should also be available upon registration at any competition.
- The focus for USAPL Youth Lifting will be to introduce youth lifters to the life-long sport of Powerlifting. The main concern for these lifters is to learn and perform proper technique and training methods, through experience on the competition platform.
- 10-11 year old – each lifter will add their top two lifts from each lifting category to their score. They will be adding 6 lifts for their final total. If a lifter only passes one lift in a category then they will only add that lift to the final total. The focus for these lifters should be on technique and completing each lift within their ability.
- 12-13 year old – these lifters will follow USAPL guidelines for scoring, adding their one best lift from each category to their final total. Focus should continue to be on proper technique and lifting within their ability.
- Any lifter who does not complete any lift in a category will be allowed to complete the lifting event to gain experience on the platform. No final total shall be awarded that lifter.
- Youth lifters will need access to a lighter lifting bar.
- It is recommended that “training plates” be provided for the youth lifters at the state level for the deadlift, so that they are pulling the weight from the same height as all other lifters. (Is also a safety concern). Training plates must be available at national meets.
- National Championship Youth Divisions will be included with the Teen/Junior Nationals for boys and the Women’s National Championships for girls.
- A separate National Championships could be considered for the future, as interest grows.
- There will be no set qualifying total for a National competition, but lifter must have participated in a USAPL sanctioned meet and be a current USAPL member.
- Each state should add records for these age divisions.
- American and National records will be established for these divisions beginning at the first national competition
- Any 13 year old lifter that will turn 14 during the calendar year will have their total from Teen/Juniors for boys and Women’s for girls considered for a spot on the Sub-Junior and/or Open World team.
Two new divisions will be added.
