TECHNICAL RULES Adapted from the International Powerlifting Federation Technical Rulebook In effect: January 1, 2021 Version 2021.1 – Updated April 5, 2021 Note: Updates for 2021 indicated in RED For questions, contact the Technical Committee Chairman at: [email protected] USA Powerlifting 1120 Huffman Rd, Ste 24 223, Anchorage, AK 99515 Telephone: (260) 248-4889 / Fax: (260) 248-4879 [email protected] www.usapowerlifting.com CONTENTS Introduction .............................................................................................................................................................. 1 USA Powerlifting Registration ................................................................................................................................... 1 Club/Team Affiliation ................................................................................................................................................ 2 State Affiliation ......................................................................................................................................................... 2 Club/Team Registration ............................................................................................................................................ 2 Rules Concerning Club/Team Membership ........................................................................................................... 3 Rules Concerning Club/Team Participation in USA Powerlifting Sanctioned Meets ............................................... 3 State Championship ......................................................................................................................................... 3 Regional Championship ................................................................................................................................... 3 National Championship ................................................................................................................................... 3 General Rules of Powerlifting.................................................................................................................................... 4 IPF Age Categories ................................................................................................................................................. 6 Contest Placing ...................................................................................................................................................... 6 USA Powerlifting Age Categories ........................................................................................................................... 7 Bodyweight Categories ......................................................................................................................................... 8 Team Rules, Placings, and Awards ......................................................................................................................... 9 Equipment and Specifications for National and International Competitions .......................................................... 12 Scale .................................................................................................................................................................... 12 Platform .............................................................................................................................................................. 12 Bar ...................................................................................................................................................................... 12 Discs .................................................................................................................................................................... 13 Collars ................................................................................................................................................................. 14 Squat Racks ......................................................................................................................................................... 14 Bench .................................................................................................................................................................. 14 Clocks .................................................................................................................................................................. 14 Lights................................................................................................................................................................... 15 Referee Numbered/Colored Card System – Reason for Failure ........................................................................... 16 Scoreboard .......................................................................................................................................................... 18 Personal Equipment/Apparel .................................................................................................................................. 18 Suits .................................................................................................................................................................... 18 Non-Supportive Suits .......................................................................................................................................... 19 T-Shirt ................................................................................................................................................................. 20 Supportive Shirts ................................................................................................................................................. 21 Briefs ................................................................................................................................................................... 22 Socks ................................................................................................................................................................... 22 Belt ..................................................................................................................................................................... 23 Footwear ............................................................................................................................................................. 24 Knee Sleeves ....................................................................................................................................................... 24 Wrist Wraps ........................................................................................................................................................ 25 Knee Wraps ......................................................................................................................................................... 25 Medical Tape ....................................................................................................................................................... 25 USA Powerlifting Raw/Unequipped Standards .................................................................................................... 26 Inspection of Personal Equipment ....................................................................................................................... 26 Sponsor’s Logos for International/Regional Competitions (IPF and Member Nations) ........................................ 27 Powerlifts and Rules of Performance ...................................................................................................................... 28 Squat ................................................................................................................................................................... 28 Bench Press ......................................................................................................................................................... 30 Deadlift ............................................................................................................................................................... 32 Weighing In ............................................................................................................................................................. 33 USA Powerlifting Local, State, Regional, and National Championship Weigh-in Policies ..................................... 34 USA Powerlifting Drug Testing Policies/Procedures ............................................................................................ 35 Order of Competition .............................................................................................................................................. 36 The Round System............................................................................................................................................... 36 Attempt Cards ..................................................................................................................................................... 37 Responsibilities of Officials at USA Powerlifting and IPF Competitions ................................................................... 40 Miscellaneous Rules (Loading Errors, Misconduct, Appeals, etc.) ............................................................................ 43 Referees 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