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Robert Keller
IPF Cat I Referee
Member, IPF Tech.Comm.
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Wednesday, February 09, 2005 - Miami, Florida
Members of USA Powerlifting:
I would like to address four (4) items in this issue of Powerlines.
First, I would like to congratulate Steve Mann of New York, Regina Hackney of South Carolina, and George Bartotti of Michigan for passing their IPF Category II Referee examinations. Steve and Regina took their exams at the American Open Championships in Philadelphia on December 11 & 12, 2004, and George most recently at the Women's Nationals in St. Louis this past weekend -- Congratulations to Steve, Regina, and George!
Second, as I have mentioned previously, the examination is quite rigorous and demanding. You will be required to demonstrate a thorough knowledge of the IPF Technical Rules, as well as the capability to enforce the standards of performance at all championships from the local to world level to receive these credentials. As an important reminder, a candidate for their IPF Category I or II referee's card must come to the championship prepared to take the examination. It is highly advisable NOT to be distracted with other duties, such as coaching, etc.
Moreover, it is also very important that you come in the correct uniform, to include shoes, etc. Believe it or not, officials at all championships are "judged" and under the scrutiny of the lifters and coaches on their appearance, and it is important that all officials and referees, regardless of rank be dressed to their very best, as well as in accordance to the rules.
Third, I have enclosed below, the IPF Technical rules interpretations from John Stephenson - Chief of the IPF Technical Committee. Please review them.
Finally, I recommend that all members (especially lifters and coaches) read and review the current IPF Technical Rules. Interestingly enough, I have met with many lifters over the past several months who have not taken the opportunity to review and read the rules for their sport - Please do so, it will make you a much better lifter and coach. Key and important, thoroughly knowing the rules, places you at a better strategic advantage over your competitor. If you are not in possession of a copy and manual can be downloaded from the IPF web-page. Please see the following URL: http://www.powerlifting-ipf.com/ipf_technical_rulebook.htm
This page also includes the interpretations of the rules, the technical checklist for a championship, and approved list for all gear and equipment that is authorized to be used at all championships.
In closing, as always, if you have any specific comments, concerns and/or questions, please forward them to me directly at: rhk@verizon.net - I welcome your comments!
Thank you,
Robert Keller
IPF Category I Referee
Member, IPF Technical Committee
Interim Technical Chair - USA Powerlifting
RULES INTERPRETATION
The following interpretation of the IPF Technical Rules is for the guidance of lifters and officials using the ( up-dated ) 2005 rules as shown on the Internet.
GENERAL RULES OF POWERLIFTING
Page 3 Item (f)
A total must be achieved ( minimums on individual lifts can be found in the revised item 12 of World Records ) in order to claim a World Record.
Item 3
Calendar year is from 00.00 on the 1st of January up until 24.00 on the 31st December.
Page 4 Item (4)
0/60 - 0/70 rule applies to Bench Press Championships also. No World Record claims to be made in these age groups.
Item 7
Should lifters move from one body-weight class to another, prior to, or during the weigh-in period and cannot produce a total comparable to the group with the higher totals, then they will be ranked in the first group to lift.
Page 5 Item (6)
The up to five alternates that are allowed must be nominated at the Technical Meeting. Lifters who are not listed will not be accepted at weigh-in.
Item 10
In the case where a nominated and selected referee ( at the Technical Meeting ) for some "unavoidable" reason is unable to officate in that capacity, team points will not be deducted.
Item 13
In lieu of medals, certificates for individual lifts may be presented.
EQUIPMENT AND SPECIFICATIONS
Page 5 - Platform
Carpet has proved to be the most effective surface.
Page 6 Item (5)
Provides for rubber covered discs. Looks impressive when used at Women's, Junior - Sub-Junior Meets.
Squat Racks - Bench Racks - Bench
The approved list can be found on the Web Site under " Approved Equipment".
Page 7 - Lights
------ A system of lights similar to those used in Weightlifting may be used ------
If the buzzer sounds, lifters must stay with the bar i.e. not release or dump. It is dangerous and may be cause for disqualification. Meet Director's wishing to adopt this system should see lifting time reduced.
Page 9 - Scoreboard
The scoreboard and its detail must be visible to "all" . Especially that of the spectators.
COSTUME AND PERSONAL EQUIPMENT
Page 10 - Support Shirt
----- The support shirt cannot be so long as to cover the buttocks ----- When Squatting.
All shirts must cover the deltoid area.
Page 11 - Socks
Manufacturer's logos acceptable. Shin length socks compulsory when performing the dead lift must be of a normal commercial type and not in contact with knee wraps if worn.
Belt
One loop only. Tongue not studded into or bound around belt.
Page 12- Shoes or Boots
(a) Shoes shall be taken to include only indoor Sports Shoes -----
Page 13 - Inspection of Costume and Personal Equipment
(c) Examining referee's should include scissors in their kit. They are permitted to perform this duty.
It is to be noted that head bands, ribbons and "bandanas" are not included on the list of items for inspection, but should the officials feel that they are such as to bring the sport into disrepute, lifters will be asked to remove them.
POWERLIFTS AND RULES OF PERFORMANCE
Page 14 - Squat
Item (1) Hands and fingers gripping the Bar. Not necessarily thumbs around as in the Bench Press.
Item 3 ------ The attempt is deemed to have commenced when the lifters knees have unlocked. Cannot unlock, re-lock, then descend.
The bar may move from its starting position downwards on the lifter's back the thickness / diameter of the bar during the performance of the lift. The 1" - 29 mm movement only, is acceptable below the lowest legal position.
Causes for a disqualification of a Squat
Item (4) Any excessive movement of the feet i.e. stepping backward or forward during the performance of the lift. Slight lateral movement of the feet ( acceptable ) will be defined as the width of the sole.
Item 7 - Contact with the bar or the lifter by the spotter/loaders between the Chief Referee's signals in order to make the lift easier. Lifter not penalised if contact was of no aid.
Item 8 ----- Slight contact is permitted such as "brushing" arms against the thighs if there is no supporting that might aid the lifter. Elbows on knees is cause for failure.
Page 15 - Bench Press
Item 2 ----- This body position shall be maintained throughout the lift. Referring to the " Torso" , shoulders to buttocks.
Item 3 ----- Slight or very minor foot movement is allowed for both on the platform and on the blocks. The sole and heel or part thereof must stay in contact with the platform or blocks. The foot may move laterally the width of the shoe or forward or backward half the length of the shoe. Cannot rise on sole or heel.
Item 5 ----- ( both forefingers must be within the 81 cm marks ) machine/taped marking covered by the forefingers.
----- the lifter must then return the bar to arms length with no immoderate/excessive uneven extension of the arms. Both arms locking out to-gether/simultaneously. Immoderate will be defined as the side to side zig zag action while pressing out, or the undue trailing of one arm. Slight trailing is acceptable if both arms lock out to-gether. The head need not be in contact with the bench but must not hang over the end of the bench.
Causes for a disqualification of a Bench Press
Item (3) Heaving, bouncing, or sinking the bar into the chest after it is motionless in such a way as to make the lift easier. A little sinking is acceptable ( more noticable with the " Super's " ) before the bar is motionless. If the bar is held motionless it is impossible to bounce the bar. Heaving is when the elbows tend to drop, when hips and shoulders come into play and the bar appears to be jerked and move downward into the chest slightly before being pressed out.
Item 7 - Contact with bar or the lifter by the spotter/loaders in order to make the lift easier. Lifter not penalised if contact was of no aid.
Page 16 - Deadlift
4 ----- If the bar settles as the shoulders come back this should not be reason to disqualify the lift. The minor downward movement of the bar after standing erect was cause for many failures in the past. This has now been rectified.
WEIGHING - IN
Page 17
Item 4 For reason of hygiene the lifter should wear socks / paper towel on scales platform. Meet organisers must provide adequate paper towels. At least one for every competitor.
Item 7 ----- It is also courteous to let the Chief Referee from one's originally nominated class know of the move ----- Avoids two/three referees waiting when the scales could be closed.
ORDER OF COMPETITION
Page 21
Item k The one minute will begin from the time that the lights are activated. The coach/manager should determine the lifters next weight and have ample time.
Item (I) ----- The bar will be loaded to the turned in weight and the clock will run. Should the lifter not wish to take an attempt, then the attempt slip should be marked with an X .
Page 22
The organiser will appoint the following officials: (f) Spotter/loaders. Correct code of dress ----- The jury may, should the climate dictate, allow shorts, uniform in colour to be worn.
Responsibilities of the Officials are:-
(a) ----- When the bar is loaded and the platform cleared for lifting, the Chief Referee will indicate the fact to the time-keeper who will immediately begin the clock. Speaker to announce lifter's name simultaneously.
Page 23
(e) ----- Any further adjustments to the racks must be made within the lifter's one minute allowance, unless the lifter has nominated his rack height and this has been incorrectly set by the spotter/loaders. In the case of incorrect setting i.e. not as on the rack height sheet and signed for, the clock will be re-set to one minute - The bar was not " Ready/Loaded ".
Item (f) ----- at the request of the Chief Referee. Coaches or lifters should direct their requests to the Chief Referee. Not the spotter/loaders.
Page 24
Item 4 Lifter shall not wrap, adjust his costume or use ammonia within view of the public. The exception to this rule is where facilities do not provide for " curtaining " .
REFEREES
Page 27
Item (b) The scales work correctly and are accurate ( certified ) . Generally, a scales certificate will be required showing accuracy within the last six months.
Item (d) It is the duty of the lifter to ensure that all items he wishes to wear on platform have passed the scrutiny of the examining referees. Head bands, ribbons, mouth pieces, need not be offered for scrutiny.
Item 7 (a) The weight of the loaded bar agrees with that announced by the speaker. It is not the sole responsibility of the Chief Referee. The job of ensuring that the bar is correctly loaded is shared by the three referees.
Item 17 - Each Nation may nominate a maximum of three referees to serve at the World Championships, plus referees who may do jury duty. This generally, when there is an abundance of Category One's. Often from the host Nation.
Page 28
Item 18 - Shoes known as " trainers " do not compliment blazer and trousers. Dress/day wear shoes should be worn. Jury must be particularly strict with this ruling in regard to platform referees.
Item 19 - Qualifications for a Category Two referee are as follows.
Item (c) must take the Category Two examination at a World Champiionships, Continental Championships, Regional Games, International Tournament, National Championships or National Clinic. Over the years it has become preferable to conduct the Category Two written at National Championships or National Clinic. Very little language barrier.
Page 29
Item 32 - It is important that the cards are signed after duties to verify the requirements. Powerlifting to mean full meets. Not single lift.
JURY AND TECHNICAL COMMITTEE
Page 30 - Jury 9 - Extreme/Obvious/Blatant, should make for easy judgement. Majority decision.
WORLD RECORDS
Page 32
Item 3 (d) - It is the lifters responsibility to present himself after selection.
All other Competitions
Item 4 - (a) Immediately after a successful attempt the three referees must weigh the barbell and record it's precise weight. Obviously if the bar and discs have been weighed before hand this is not necessary.
ANY RULING WHERE THERE IS SOME DEGREE OF DOUBT IN THE MIND OF THE REFEREE OR OFFICIAL MUST BE MADE IN FAVOUR OF THE LIFTER.
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