Competition Rules

COMPETITION RULES (Rulebook v2024.1)

Overview.  This overview is intended to answer common questions for new lifters.  It is not a full set of rules of performance.  Please read through the lifter’s handbook for detailed rule descriptions.

ATTEMPTS 

1. 1. Starting attempts for all three lifts must be declared by the lifter at the weigh-in in KILOS. One change on the first attempt may occur up to 3 minutes prior to the starting time for each flight. 

   2. No changes are permitted in the second and third attempts with the exception of the third attempt deadlift, which may be changed twice. During bench press only competitions the third attempt may be changed twice, under the same conditions as the deadlift during 3 lift competitions. 

   3. The lifter or coach has 1 minute between completing the last attempt and submitting to officials the weight for their next attempt. If the lift is not turned in within 1 minute, the next attempt will be raised 2.5kg but missed attempts will remain unchanged. 

   4. Increases between each attempt must be a minimum of 2.5 kg. The exception is that if a lifter misses an attempt, that same weight may be repeated. An increase as small as 0.5 kg may be submitted to break an American Record at state, regional and national competitions. 

   5. Three unsuccessful attempts in any lift will result in no total and eliminate the lifter from scoring, placing, setting records and best lifter awards. The lifter may, however, continue in the meet. 

   6. Once the bar has been called loaded by the Chief Referee, the lifter has 1 minute to begin the lift (receiving the “Squat” or “Start” command, or initiating the pull on deadlift) or the attempt will be forfeited. 

ORDER OF LIFTING 

1. 1. USAPL competitions must use the rounds system. 

   2. In the rounds system, the bar is loaded progressively for each attempt. The lifter requiring the lightest weight lifts first. After the first round of squats, the order will reshuffle from lightest to heaviest attempts.   

   3. When two or more lifters declare the same attempt, they lift in the order determined by Lot Numbers which were drawn assigned before weigh-in – the lifter with the lower lot number goes first. 

   4. In the rounds system, all lifters in the first flight will complete their first attempt, then their 2nd attempt and then their 3rd attempt of the squat prior to the start of the squat event for the next flight. After all flights in the session complete the squat event, the first flight will return to begin the bench press, etc. 

   5. The squat is always done first, followed by the bench press and then by the deadlift.

TIMING

1. 1. When the announcement has been made that the bar is loaded/ready by the Chief Referee, the lifter has 1 minute to get the signal for that lift. For the Squat, the signal is “Squat”, For the Bench, the signal is “Start”, For the Deadlift, the lifter must make a determined effort to lift the bar from the platform, there is no referee’s signal to begin.