United States Powerlifting Association Technical Rules July 1, 2021 1 USPA Technical Rules 2021v1 Contents PART 1. GENERAL RULES .............................................................................................................................. 7 Item 1.1 General Rules ............................................................................................................................. 7 Item 1.2 Age Categories ........................................................................................................................... 7 Item 1.3 BoDyweight Categories .............................................................................................................. 7 Item 1.4 USPA Registration ...................................................................................................................... 8 Item 1.5 Team Competition ..................................................................................................................... 8 Item 1.6 Best Lifter AwarDs / Meet Director Choice AwarDs ................................................................... 8 Item 1.7 State Affiliation .......................................................................................................................... 9 Item 1.8 Drug Testing ............................................................................................................................... 9 PART 2. EQUIPMENT AND SPECIFICATIONS ............................................................................................... 12 Item 2.1 Platform ................................................................................................................................... 12 Item 2.2 Bars anD Discs .......................................................................................................................... 12 Item 2.3 Collars ...................................................................................................................................... 13 Item 2.4 Squat Racks & Combo Squat/Bench Press Racks ..................................................................... 14 Item 2.5 Bench ....................................................................................................................................... 14 Item 2.6 JuDging Lights ........................................................................................................................... 15 PART 3. COSTUME AND PERSONAL EQUIPMENT ....................................................................................... 15 Item 3.1 Singlet ...................................................................................................................................... 15 Item 3.2 Lifting Costume ........................................................................................................................ 16 Item 3.3 Bench Shirt ............................................................................................................................... 16 Item 3.4 Erector Shirts (alloweD in Multi Ply only) ................................................................................. 17 Item 3.5 UnDershirt ................................................................................................................................ 17 Item 3.6 UnDerwear ............................................................................................................................... 18 Item 3.7 Support Briefs .......................................................................................................................... 18 Item 3.8 Socks ........................................................................................................................................ 18 Item 3.9 Belt ........................................................................................................................................... 19 Item 3.10 Shoes or Boots ....................................................................................................................... 20 Item 3.11 Wrist & Knee Wraps/ Knee & Elbow Sleeves/Hats, Sweat BanDs, HeaD Gear/Wrist Wraps . 20 Knee Wraps/Knee Sleeves .................................................................................................................. 20 Hats, Sweat BanDs, HeaD Gear ........................................................................................................... 21 2 USPA Technical Rules 2021v1 MeDical Tape/BanDages ..................................................................................................................... 21 Elbow Sleeves: .................................................................................................................................... 22 Item 3.12. BlooD Management .............................................................................................................. 22 Item 3.13 Shin GuarDs ............................................................................................................................ 22 Item 3.14 Raw, Classic Raw, Single Ply anD Multi Ply Equipment Definition .......................................... 22 Item 3.15 Inspection of Costume and Personal Equipment ................................................................... 23 Item 3.16 General .................................................................................................................................. 23 Part 4. POWERLIFTS AND RULES OF PERFORMANCE ................................................................................. 24 Item 4.1 Squat ........................................................................................................................................ 24 Item 4.2 Causes for Disqualification of a Squat: ..................................................................................... 26 Item 4.3 Bench Press: ............................................................................................................................. 28 Item 4.4 Causes for Disqualification of a Bench Press ........................................................................... 29 Item 4.5 DeaDlift .................................................................................................................................... 29 Item 4.6 Causes for Disqualification of a DeaDlift .................................................................................. 30 Part 5. WEIGHING IN .................................................................................................................................. 30 Item 5.1 Weighing-In of the Competitors .............................................................................................. 30 Part 6. RULES OF COMPETITION ................................................................................................................ 36 Item 6.1 The RounD System ................................................................................................................... 36 Item 6.2 Appointed Officials .................................................................................................................. 37 Speaker/Announcer responsibilities .................................................................................................. 37 Technical Chair responsibilities .......................................................................................................... 38 Referee Chairman responsibilities ..................................................................................................... 38 Timekeeper responsibilities ............................................................................................................... 39 Expeditors responsibilities ................................................................................................................. 39 Scorekeeper responsibilities .............................................................................................................. 39 Spotter/Loader responsibilities .......................................................................................................... 39 Squat .............................................................................................................................................. 41 Bench .............................................................................................................................................. 41 Deadlift ........................................................................................................................................... 41 Platform / Bars ............................................................................................................................... 41 Records Chairman .............................................................................................................................. 42 State Chairman ................................................................................................................................... 42 Item 6.3 Competition Rules .................................................................................................................... 43 3 USPA Technical Rules 2021v1 Part 7. REFEREES ........................................................................................................................................ 46 Item 7.1 General Rules ........................................................................................................................... 46 Signals required