WPARULEBOOK

WPA POWERLIFTING RULES

I. GENERAL RULES

A. THE WPA AND AFFILIATE FEDERATIONS RECOGNIZE THE FOLLOWING LIFTS. THESE LIFTS MUST BE TAKEN IN THE SAME SEQUENCE IN ALL COMPETITIONS CONDUCTED UNDER WPA RULES: 1) SQUAT 2) BENCH PRESS 3) DEADLIFT 4) TOTAL (ADDITION OF THE BEST OF 1, 2, &3.)

B.THE WPA AND AFFILIATE FEDERATIONS RECOGNIZE AS VALID ONLY THOSE LIFTS AND/OR TOTALS PERFORMED IN ACCORDANCE WITH WPA RULES OF POWERLIFTING COMPETITION IN WHICH THE MEET DIRECTOR HAS SECURED AN OFFICIAL SANCTION AT LEAST 30 DAYS
PRIOR TO THE EVENT.

2. THE WPA AND AFFILIATE FEDERATIONS RECOGNIZE AND REGISTER NATIONAL/WORLD RECORDS WITHIN THE AGE CATEGORIES DESCRIBED HEREUNDER:

1) SENIOR: 13 YEARS UPWARDS (NO RESTRICTIONS)
2) PRE-TEENAGE: 11-12 YEARS
3) TEENAGE: 13-15, 16-17, 18-19
4) JUNIOR 20-23
5) SUBMASTER 33-39
6) MASTER 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80 AND UPWARDS

3. OFFICIALLY RECOGNIZED BODYWEIGHT CATEGORIES

A. MEN: 114.5, 123.5, 132.25, 148.75, 165.25, 181.75,198.25,220.25,242.50,275.50,308.75,SUPERHEAVYWEIGHT

B. WOMEN: 97.0, 105.75, 114.5, 123.5, 132.25, 148.75, 165.25, 181.75, 198.25, UNLIMTED

*A LIFTER MAY APPLY FOR RECORDS ONLY IN THE WEIGHT CLASS OR HE/SHE COMPETED IN. IF A PERSON IS IN A LIGHTER CATEGORY SUCH AS THE 132.25 CLASS HE/SHE CANNOT ATTEMPT TO SET A RECORD IN THE 148.75 CLASS. IF THE CONTEST HAS NO AGE CATEGORIES THE LIFTER MAY STILL APPLY FOR A RECORD IF HE MEETS THE AGE CRITERIA FOR THE RECORD.

A CHAIRPERSON OR MEET DIRECTOR MAY REQUEST A SET OF WORLD RECORDS PRIOR TO HOLDING AN EVENT. RECORDS ARE NOT MAILED OUT ON A ROUTINE BASIS BECAUSE THE RECORDS CHANGE ON A WEEKLY BASIS. A LIST OF STATE RECORDS MAY BE OBTAINED THROUGH YOUR STATE CHAIRPERSON.

4. TEAM COMPOSITION

EACH TEAM IS ALLOWED A MAXIMUM OF 12 COMPETITORS SPREAD THROUGHOUT THE RANGE OF THE 12 WEIGHT CLASSES FOR MEN AND 10 COMPETITORS SPREAD THROUGHOUT THE SAME RANGE OF 10 BODYWEIGHT CATEGORIES FOR WOMEN. TWO ALTERNATES OR RESERVES MAY BE SUBSTITUTED AT ANY TIME PRIOR TO THE ACTUAL WEIGH-IN FOR THEIR CATEGORY. TEAM ROSTERS MUST BE SUBMITTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE MEET BEGINS. THE ALTERNATES AND THEIR WEIGHT CLASSES MUST BE INDICATED AT THAT TIME.

5. POINT SCORING IN TEAM COMPETITION

POINT SCORING IS OPTIONAL AND AT THE DISCRETION OF THE MEET DIRECTOR WITH THE EXCEPTION BEING AT WORLD, CONTINENTAL, NATIONAL, AND REGIONAL CONTESTS IN WHICH CASE THE SCORING WILL BE 12,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1, FOR THE FIRST 10 PLACINGS IN ANY WEIGHT
CATEGORY.

6. TEAM AWARDS

TEAM AWARDS SHALL BE GIVEN TOTHE FIRST 3 PLACES AT WORLD, NATIONAL, CONTINENTAL, OR REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS. AT ALL OTHER LEVEL COMPETITIONS TEAM PLACEMENTS SHALL BE GIVEN AT THE MEET DIRECTORS OPTION. IN THE CASE OF A TIE BETWEEN TEAMS HAVING THE SAME NUMBER OF FIRST PLACES, THE TEAM HAVING THE MOST 2ND PLACES WILL BE CLASSIFIED FIRST AND SO ON THROUGHOUT THE PLACINGS.

7. ROUNDS SYSTEM

ONLY THE ROUND SYSTEM SHALL BE UTILIZED. EACH LIFTER TAKES HIS FIRST ATTEMPT IN THE FIRST ROUND. THE LIFTER TAKES HIS SECOND AND THIRD ATTEMPT IN THE RESPECTIVE ROUNDS EVEN THOUGH ANY OF THESE MAY HAVE BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL IN THE PREVIOUS ROUNDS. IF THE LIFTER MISSES AN ATTEMPT DUE TO A MISLOADED BAR OR ERROR OF A SPOTTER PROVIDED BY THE MEET DIRECTOR, THE LIFTER WILL BE GRANTED ANOTHER ATTEMPT AT THE SAME WEIGHT AT THE END OF THE CURRENT ROUND. THE BAR MUST BE LOADED ON A PROGRESSIVE BASIS DURING A ROUND FROM LIGHTEST TO HEAVIEST. THE LIFTER IS NEVER ALLOWED TOTAKE A LOWER ATTEMPT ON HIS NEXT LIFT IN THE FOLLOWING ROUND.

LIFTING ORDER IS DETERMINED BY THE WEIGHT ON THE BAR. EACH LIFTER MUST GIVE STARTING WEIGHTS FOR ALL THREE LIFTS AT THE WEIGH-IN. THE LIFTER IS ALLOWED TO CHANGE, "BUT ONLY ONCE", THE FIRST ATTEMPT FOR EACH LIFT. IF HE IS IN THE FIRST GROUP THIS WEIGHT MAY BE CHANGED UP TO 5 MINUTES BEFORE THE FIRST ROUND FOR THAT LIFT. IF HE IS LIFTING IN THE FOLLOWING GROUP, THE WEIGHT MAY BE CHANGED UP UNTIL THE TIME WHEN NOT LESS THAN 5 ATTEMPTS REMAIN FOR THE PREVIOUS GROUP. AN EXCEPTION TO THIS RULE IS THE DEADLIFT, WHERE THE LIFTER MAY CHANGE HIS ATTEMPT UP UNTIL THE POINT THAT THE LIFTERS NAME IS CALLED AS BEING IN THE HOLE.

8. PERMITTED WEIGHT USE

COMPETITIONS AT ANY LEVEL MAY BE CONDUCTED IN EITHER POUND OR KILO SETS.

9. SPECIAL RULINGS FOR HIGH SCHOOL, NOVICE, SPECIAL OLYMPICS, AND PRISON COMPETITIONS
LIFTERS IN THESE DIVISIONS MAY WEAR SHORTS AND TEE SHIRT INSTEAD OF THE STANDARD ONE PIECE LIFTING SUIT. IN PRISON MEETS THE LIFTER MUST WEAR A STANDARD ONE PIECE LIFTING SUIT HOWEVER, IF HE IS GOING TO APPLY FOR A NATIONAL OR WORLD RECORD.

II. EQUIPMENT AND SPECIFICATIONS

1.PLATFORM MUST BE LARGE AND SECURE ENOUGH TO ASSURE SAFETY FOR THE LIFTER, SPOTTERS AND LOADERS. BOUNDRIES SHALL BE CLEARLY MARKED FOR THE KNOWLEDGE OF COACHES AND OFFICIALS. THIS IS THE AREA IN WHICH THERE CAN BE NO COACHES OR SPECTATORS. NO ONE IS ALLOWED ON THE PLATFORM EXCEPT THE LIFTER, DESIGNATED SPOTTERS/LOADERS AND REFEREE'S. OTHER OFFICIALS ARE ALLOWED IN THE PLATFORM AREA AS DESIGNATED "AS NEED ARISEDS".

2. BAR AND DISCS: ALL BARS MUST BE OF THE OLYMPIC STYLE AND NOT THE STANDARD 1 1/8TH TYPE. SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED SQUAT AND DEADLIFT BARS MAY BE UTILIZED BUT MUST CONFORM TO ALLOWABLE RANGE OF DIMENSIONS LISTED IN BAR SPECIFICATIONS.

THE BAR SHALL BE WELL KNURLED OR GROOVED AND CONFORM TO THE FOLLOWING:

TOTAL LENGTH SHALL NOT EXCEED 7.5 FEET WITH DISTANCE BETWEEN COLLAR FACES NOT LESS THAN 4.27 FEET OR MORE THAN 4.76FT. DIAMETER OF BAR SHALL NOT EXCEED 30MM. OR BE LESS THAN 27.5MM.

WEIGHT OF THE BAR WITH COLLARS SHALL BE 55 LBS. THE BAR MUST HAVE DIAMETER MACHINE MARKING OR BE TAPED SO AS TO MEASURE 31.6 INCHES BETWEEN THE MACHINING OR TAPE.

DISCS MUST BE USED IN THE FOLLOWING RANGE: 1OOLB, 45, 35, 25, 10, 5, 2.5 - FOR RECORD PURPOSED LIGHTER DISCS MAY BE USED ON A 4TH ATTEMPT TO ACHIEVE A WEIGHT OF AT LEAST 500 GRAMS MORE THAN THE EXISTING RECORD. DISCS MUST BE CLEARLY MARKED AND LOADED IN THE SEQUENCE OF HEAVIER DISCS INNERMOST AND SMALLER DISCS IN DESCENDING WEIGHT ARRANGED SO THE REFEREE'S CAN READ THE NUMBERS ON EACH DISC. THE FIRST AND HEAVIEST DISC ON THE BAR MUST BE LOADED FACE IN, WITH THE REST OF THE DISCS LOADED FACE OUT AS THE WEIGHT IS LOADED.

3. COLLARS: SHALL ALWAYS BE USED AND SHALL BE TIGHTENED SNUG TO THE DISCS. THEY MUST WEIGH 5 POUNDS EXCEPT WHEN USING THE SPECIAL SQUAT BAR, IN WHICH CASE THEY MAY BE LIGHTER.

4. SQUAT RACKS: SHALL BE ADJUSTABLE TO ACCOMMODATE THE LIFTERS. HYDRALIC RACKS MUST BE CAPABLE OF BEING SECURED AT REQUIRED HEIGHT BY PINS. THE MONOLIFT IS ALLOWED IN WPA COMPETITION.

5. LIGHTS: A SYSTEM OF LIGHTS OR FLAGS SHALL BE PROVIDED WHEREBY REFEREE'S DECISIONS ARE MADE KNOWN. WHITE REPRESENTS A GOOD LIFT, RED REPRESENTS A BAD LIFT.

6. BENCH: THE BENCH SHALL BE STURDY FOR MAXIIMUM STABILITY AND CONFORM TO THE DIMENSIONS SPECIFIED BELOW:

                   A. LENGTH NOT LESS THAN 4 FEET AND SHALL BE FLAT AND LEVEL
                   B. WIDTH BETWEEN 11.5 TO 12 5/8 INCHES
                   C. HEIGHT 16.5-17 3/4 INCHES MEASURED FROM FLOOR TO TOP OF PADDED SURFACE WITHOUT BEING COMPRESSED OR COMPACTED. NON-ADJUSTABLE BENCHES SHALL HAVE UPRIGHTS 34-39 INCHES FROM FLOOR TO BAR REST POSITION WHILE ADJUSTABLE BENCHES SHALL BE 32.25 TO 39 INCHES.
                   D. MAXIMUM WIDTH BETWEEN INSIDES OF BAR RESTS SHALL BE 3FT 7 1/8 INCHES

III. COSTUME AND PERSONAL EQUIPMENT

1. COSTUME (SUIT)

BENCH PRESS COMPETITION: ONE PIECE LIFTING SUIT OR SPANDEX BIKE PANTS OF THE TYPE THAT ARE SKIN TIGHT. IF ONE PIECE LIFTING SUIT IS WORN THE STRAPS MUST BE WORN OVER THE SHOULDERS AT ALL TIMES WHILE LIFTING. IF SPANDEX BIKE SHORTS ARE WORN THE LIFTERS TEE SHIRT MUST BE TUCKED IN AT ALL TIMES WHILE LIFTING.

POWERLIFTING COMPETITION: ONE PIECE LIFTING SUIT AS DESCRIBED SHALL BE WORN EXCEPT SPECIAL DIVISIONS PREVIOUSLY OUTLINED IN THIS RULEBOOK.

DEADLIFT COMPETITION: ONE PIECE LIFTING SUIT OR WRESTLING SINGLET.

GENERAL RULES:

A TEE SHIRT MAY BE WORN WITH SHORT SLEEVES OR NO SLEEVES. SLEEVES CANNOT COVER THE ELBOW. WOMEN MAY WEAR PROTECTIVE BRIEFS OR PANTIES AND ALSO A BRA PROVIDED IT DOES NOT CONTAIN WIRE OR SUPPORT. BENCH PRESS SHIRTS AND DEADLIFT SHIRTS ARE ALLOWED. SHIRTS MADE OF CANVAS ARE NOT PERMITTED IN WPA COMPETITION NOR ARE HOME MADE SHIRTS.

SOCKS MAY BE WORN AND SHALL BE OF SUCH A LENGTH THAT THEY CANNOT TOUCH ANY KNEE WRAPPING OR ONE PIECE KNEE CAP SUPPORTER WHEN IN USE.

EMBLEMS AND LOGO'S ARE ALLOWED TO BE WORN, PROVIDED THAT THEY ARE NOT PROFANE IN ANY WAY AND DO NOT OFFEND ANY PARTICULAR GROUP OF PEOPLE OR CULTURE.

BELT: A LIFTER MAY WEAR A BELT PROVIDED IT IS NO MORE THAN 4IN WIDTH OR 1/2IN THICK AND SHALL CONTAIN NO ADDITIONAL PADDING, BRACING OR SUPPORTS OF ANY MATERIAL, EITHER ON THE SURFACE OR CONCEALED WITHIN THE LAMINATIONS OF THE BELT.

FOOT ATTIRE: SHOES MUST BE WORN. METAL CLEATS OR SPIKES ARE FORBIDDEN.

SHIN GUARDS ARE NOT PERMITTED TO BE WORN DURING THE PERFORMANCE OF THE DEADLIFT.

KNEE WRAPS: MUST NOT EXCEED 3.5 METER LENGTH OR 3 INCHES WIDTH. ELASTICIZED KNEE CAP MAY BE WORN. A COMBINATION OF THE TWO IS FORBIDDEN. WHEN THE KNEES ARE WRAPPED THE WRAPS CANNOT EXTEND BEYOND 5.9 INCHES ABOVE THE CENTER OF THE KNEE JOINT OR 5.9 INCHES BELOW THE CENTER OF THE KNEE JOINT FOR A TOTAL OF 11.81 INCHES.

WRIST WRAPS: WRAP AROUND STYLE MAY CONTAIN A THUMB LOOP. WRIST WRAPS CANNOT EXTEND BEYOND 3 15/16 INCHES ABOVE AND 3/4 INCH BELOW CENTER OF WRIST JOINT. EFFECTIVE MAY 8, 1998 THE THUMB LOOP MAY NOW BE WORN DURING THE PERFORMANCE OF THE LIFT IF THE LIFTER SO DESIRES. THE LOOP MUST BE THE STANDARD LOOP THAT COMES WITH THE WRAPS AND NOT AN INSERT SEWN ON BY THE LIFTER. THE LOOP MAY NOT IN ANY WAY BE UTILIZED TO WRAP AROUND THE BAR OR OTHERWISE USED FOR THE LIFTER TO OBTAIN LEVERAGE DURING THE PERFORMANCE OF A LIFT. WRIST WRAPS SHALL NOT EXCEED 3FT, 3IN LENGTH AND 3.3 INCHES WIDTH. ALTERNATELY, WRIST BANDS MAY BE WORN BUT MAY NOT EXCEED 4 INCHES WIDTH. A COMBINATION OF THE TWO IS FORBIDDEN.

WRAPS ARE ONLY ALLOWED ON THE WRIST OR KNEES. HATS ARE NOT ALLOWED ON THE PLATFORM WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE DEADLIFT. ONLY WRAPS OF ONE PLY COMMERCIALLY WOVEN ELASTIC THAT IS COVERED WITH POLYESTER, COTTON OR A COMBINATION OF THE TWO, OR MEDICAL CREPE ARE PERMITTED. RUBBERIZED SUBSTITUTES ARE NOT ALLOWED.

UNDERGARMENTS: BOXER SHORTS ARE NOT ALLOWED. STANDARD COMMERCIAL ATHLETIC SUPPORTERS OR STANDARD COMMERCIAL UNDERSHORTS OF ANY MIXTURE OF COTTON, NYLON OR POLYESTER MAY BE WORN UNDER THE LIFTING SUIT. HOWEVER, THE GARMENT CANNOT HAVE LEGS AND CANNOT EXTEND DOWN OVER THE LIFTERS THIGHS. STANDARD LENGTH GROOVED BRIEFS ARE ALLOWED. CUSTOM MADE GROOVED BRIEFS ARE NOT ALLOWED.

CANVAS MATERIAL LIFTING GEAR: CANVAS MATERIAL LIFTING GEAR IS NOT ALLOWED.

DENIM AND CANVAS MATERIAL SQUAT SUITS: DENIM AND CANVAS SQUAT SUITS ARE NOT ALLOWED!

BENCH SHIRTS: BENCH SHIRTS MAY BE OF POLYESTER OR DENIM MATERIAL BUT NOT A COMBINATION OF THE TWO. BENCH SHIRTS MAY BE UP TO DOUBLE PLY THICKNESS MATERIAL BUT MAY NOT BE A COMBINATION OF TWO SHIRTS OR ANY TYPE SEWN TOGETHER. BENCH PRESS SHIRTS MAY NOT BE TRIPLE LAYER THICKNESS NOR MAY THEY BE MADE OF CANVAS MATERIAL. VELCRO/OPEN BACK SHIRTS ARE ALLOWED.

KEVLAR: EQUIPMENT CONTAINING KEVLAR IS NOT ALLOWED!

PLASTERS (BANDAGES): TWO LAYERS OF PLASTERS, BANDAGES OR BANDAIDS MAY BE WORN OVER THE THUMBS BUT NOWHERE ELSE WITHOUT OFFICIAL PERMISSION OF THE REFEREE'S. THEY MAY NOT BE USED AS A STRAP TO HELP THE LIFTER HOLD THE BAR. NO BANDAGE CAN EXTEND TO THE BACK PORTION OF THE HAND ON AN INJURY TO THE INSIDE OF THE HAND. THE REFEREE MAY PROHIBIT THE LIFTER FROM ANY FURTHER LIFTING IF HE FEELS THE LIFTER SHOULD NOT BE LIFTING WITH ANY INJURY. IF NO MEDICAL PERSONEL ARE AVAILABLE THE REFEREE HAS JURISDICTION OVER THE USE OF SPOT PLASTERS.

LIFTERS SHALL BE BRIEFED AT THE RULES MEETING AS TO WHAT EQUIPMENT/ATTIRE IS PERMISSIBLE. IT IS THE LIFTERS DUTY TO ATTEND THIS MEETING. THE MEET DIRECTOR IS UNDER NO OBLIGATION TO CHECK THE EQUIPMENT. IT IS UP TO THE LIFTER TO ATTEND THE MEETING AND LISTEN TO THE BRIEFING WHICH EXPLAINS THIS. IF THE LIFTER APPEARS ON THE PLATFORM WITH A MOJOR EQUIPMENT VIOLATION THAT APPEARS TO BE DELIBERATE, HE/SHE WILL BE DISQUALIFIED FROM THE EVENT.

IF A LIFTER BLEEDS ON THE PLATFORM OR EQUIPMENT THE MEET SHALL BE STOPPED UNTIL THE AREA/EQUIPMENT IN QUESTION HAS BEEN CLEANED WITH BLEACH OR A STRONG DISINFECTANT.

WPA APPROVED EQUIPMENT

INZER: Z-SUIT, CHAMPION SUIT, HARDCORE SUIT, IRON WRAPS, BLAST SHIRT, HD BLAST SHIRT, HPHD BLAST SHIRT, EHPHD BLAST SHIRT, ERECTOR DEADLIFT SHIRT, 3.5 METER KNEE WRAPS, SINGLE AND DOUBLE DENIM BENCH SHIRTS, BENCH SHIRTS WITH VELCRO BACKING

ELITE: SQUAT SUITS AND WRAPS

MARATHON: SUPERSUITS, DEADLIFT SUPERSUIT, SUPERWRAPS

CRAIN: POWER SUIT (PREVIOUSLY "OUTLAW POWER SUIT"), GENESIS POWERWRAP (PREVIOUSLY BIG RED POWERWRAP), GENESIS POWER WRIST WRAP (PERVIOUSLY "BIG RED POWER WRISTWRAP").

TITAN: SQUAT SUITS, CENTURION SUIT, NEW VERSION CENTURION SUIT, NXG POLYESTER MATERIAL SUITS, NXG POLYESTER MATERIAL BOSS SUIT, RED DEVIL WRAPS

FRANTZ: SINGLE DENIM BENCH SHIRT, DOUBLE DENIM BENCH SHIRT, DENIM BENCH SHIRTS WITH VELCRO STRAPS IN BACK, SINGLE LAYER SQUAT SUIT, DOUBLE LAYER SQUAT SUIT, FRANTZ BENCH SUIT, FRANTZ DEADLIFT SUIT, FRANT DEADLIFT SHIRTS

*CANVAS LIFTING SUITS AND BENCH PRESS SHIRTS ARE NOT ALLOWED AT ANY WPA AFFILIATE COMPETITION. COVER PATCHES ARE NOT PERMITTED WITHIN 2 INCHES OF ANY SEAM AREA. THIS INCLUDES NECK, ARMPIT AND SHOULDER SEAMS. A MAXIMUM OF 2 COVER PATCHES IS ALLOWED. COVER PATCHES MAY NOT EXCEED 4 INCH LENGTH AND 2 INCH WIDTH. COVER PATCHES MAY NOT BE INTERTWINED AND MAY NOT OVERLAP EACH OTHER! COVER PATCHES MUST BE OF THE SAME MATERIAL AS THE ITEM THEY ARE REPAIRING. COVER PATCHES MUST ONLY BE USED TO REPAIR TORN MATERIAL AND NOT TO PROVIDE EXTRA REINFORCEMENT IN ANY AREA.

*TRIPLE LAYER GEAR IS NOT ALLOWED IN ANY WPA COMPETITION.

*HOMEMADE GEAR WITH THE EXCEPTION OF SINGLETS IS NOT ALLOWED IN WPA COMPETITION.

*CUSTOM MODIFICATIONS TO GEAR MAY ONLY BE PERFORMED BY THE MANUFACTORER OF SAID EQUIPMENT. A WRITTEN RECEIPT MUST BE PRODUCED TO MEET DIRECTORS WHICH SPECIFIES THE MODIFICATION PERFORMED.

FOREIGN SUBSTANCES

FOREIGN SUBSTANCES CANNOT BE APPLIED TO PLATFORM OR EQUIPMENT. SPRAY STICK-UM MAY BE APPLIED TO THE LIFTER OR HIS UNIFORM ONLY. OIL, GREASE, AND OTHER LUBRICANTS ON THE BODY, COSTUME, OR PERSONAL EQUIPMENT IS PROHIBITED. ONLY POWDER IS ALLOWED. POWDER INCLUDES CHALK, TALC, RESIN, MAGNESIUM CARBONATE, BABY POWDER, OR POOL HALL BLOCK CHALK.

IV. THE POWERLIFTS AND RULES OF PERFORMANCE

1. SQUAT

a. THE LIFTER SHALL ASSUME AN UPRIGHT POSITION WITH THE TOP OF THE BAR NOT MORE THAN 1 INCH BELOW THE TOP OF THE ANTERIOR DELTIODS. THE BAR SHOULD BE HELD ACROSS THE SHOULDERS WITH THE HANDS AND/OR FINGERS GRIPPING THE BAR AND THE FEET FLAT ON THE PLATFORM WITH THE KNEES LOCKED.

b. AFTER REMOVING THE BAR FROM THE RACKS THE LIFTER MUST MOVE BACKWARDS TO ESTABLISH HIS POSITION (UNLESS USING A MONOLIFT TYPE DEVICE). THE LIFTER WAITS IN THIS POSITION FOR THE CENTER REFEREE'S SIGNAL WHICH IS GIVEN AS SOON AS THE LIFTER DEMONSTRATES CONTROL WITH THE BAR PROPERLY POSITIONED. THE SIGNAL IS A DOWNWARD MOVEMENT OF THE ARM AND THE VERBAL COMMAND "SQUAT".

c. UPON RECEIVING THE SIGNAL, THE LIFTER MUST BEND THE KNEES AND LOWER THE BODY UNTIL THE TOP OF THE THIGH AT THE HIP (NOT THE HIP JOINT), IS LOWER THAN THE TOP OF THE KNEE (NOT KNEE CAP). LOCKING AND UNLOCKING OF THE KNEES AFTER THE SIGNAL IS NOT DEFINED AS A DESCENT, HOWEVER, THE KNEES MUST BE LOCKED AT THE START AND COMLETION OF THE LIFT. ONLY ONE DESCENT ATTEMPT IS ALLOWED.

d. THE LIFTER MUST RECOVER FROM THE DEEPEST POINT WITHOUT DOUBLE BOUNCING OR ANY DOWNWARD MOVEMENT (STOPPING IS ALLOWED), TO AN UPRIGHT POSITION WITH THE KNEES LOCKED. WHEN THE LIFTER DEMONSTRATES CONTROL THE REFEREE GIVES THE COMMAND TO "RACK" (REPLACE THE BAR).

e. THE SIGNAL TO REPLACE THE BAR IS A BACKWARD MOTION OF THE HAND AND THE VERBAL COMMAND "RACK". THE LIFTER MUST MAKE A BONAFIDE EFFORT TO REPLACE THE BAR. THIS IS DEFINED AS A STEP TWARDS THE RACKS, AFTER THIS THE LIFTER MAY RECEIVE AID IN REPLACING THE BAR. IF THE LIFTER DROPS THE WEIGHT AFTER MAKING A BONAFIDE EFFORT TO REPLACE THE BAR HE WILL BE GRANTED THE ATTEMPT. HOWEVER, IF THE LIFTER DELIBERATLY DUMPS THE BAR, OR WALKS OUT FROM UNDER THE BAR LEAVING THE SPOTTERS HOLDING THE BAR, THE LIFTER WILL AUTOMATICALLY BE DISQUALIFIED FOR JEOPARDIZING THE SAFETY OF THOSE ON THE PLATFORM.

f. THE LIFTER SHALL FACE THE FRONT OF THE PLATFORM.

g. NOT MORE THAN 5 OR LESS THAN 2 SPOTTERS PERMITTED ON THE PLATFORM.

h. THE LIFTER IS ALLOWED TO ENLIST THE AID OF THE SPOTTERS IN REMOVING THE BAR AND WALKING OUT WITH THE BAR. HOWEVER, WHEN THE LIFTER HAS ESTABLISHED HIS STARTING POSITION TO PERFORM THE LIFT THE SPOTTERS MAY NOT ASSIST HIM WITH REGARD TO
HOLDING WEIGHT WHILE FOOT POSITIONING, BAR POSITIONING, ECT IS ESTABLISHED. MONOLIFTS ARE ALSO ALLOWED FOR THE SQUAT. THESE RULES HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED FOR THE LIFTERS SAFETY.

i. IF THE LIFTER IS USING MEET PROVIDED SPOTTERS AND NOT HIS OWN, AND AN ERROR IS MADE BY A SPOTTER WHICH CAUSES FAILURE OF HIS LIFT, HE WILL BE GIVEN AN ADDITIONAL ATTEMPT. THE LIFTER MAY REQUEST THAT HE BE ALLOWED TO USE HIS PERSONAL SPOTTERS RATHER THAN MEET SPOTTERS IF HE WISHES, HOWEVER, HE WILL NOT BE GRANTED AN ADDITIONAL ATTEMPT IF HIS OWN SPOTTERS CAUSE HIM TO MISS A LIFT!

j. THE LIFTER CANNOT HOLD THE COLLARS, SLEEVES, OR PLATES DURING THE PERFORMANCE OF THE LIFT. THE EDGE OF THE HANDS GRIPPING THE BAR MAY COME INCONTACT WITH THE INNER SURFACE OF THE COLLAR HOWEVER.

CAUSES FOR DISQUALIFICATION OF A SQUAT.

1. FAILURE TO OBSERVE SIGNALS AT THE COMMENCEMENT AND COMPLETION OF LIFT
2. DOUBLE BOUNCING OR MORE THE ONE RECOVERY ATTEMPT AT BOTTOM OF LIFT
3. FAILURE TO ASSUME AN UPRIGHT POSITION WITH KNEES LOCKED AT START AND FINISH OF THE LIFT
4. FAILURE TO OBTAIN PROPER REQUIRED DEPTH IN PERFORMANCE OF THE LIFT
5. CHANGING POSITION OF THE BAR ON SHOULDERS AFTER THE LIFT HAS BEGUN
6. CONTACT WITH THE BAR BY SPOTTERS DURING THE LIFT EXCEPT DURING A SAFETY ISSUE
7. CONTACT OF THE ELBOWS OR UPPER ARMS WITH THE LEGS
8. FAILURE TO MAKE A BONA FIDE EFFORT TO RETURN THE BAR TO THE RACKS
9. INTENTIONALLY DROPPING/DUMPING BAR OR WALKING OUT FROM UNDER BAR WHEN THE SPOTTERS GRAB THE BAR

2. BENCH PRESS

a) THE FRONT OF THE BENCH MUST BE PLACED ON THE PLATFORM FACING THE CENTER REFEREE
b) LIFTERS STARTING POSITION IS WITH THE BACK OF HIS HEAD, SHOULDERS AND BUTTOCKS IN CONTACT WITH THE FLAT BENCH SURFACE. HIS SHOES MUST BE ON THE FLOOR
c) PLATES OR BLOCKS NOT EXCEEDING 18cms HEIGHT MAY BE USED TO BUILD UP THE SURFACE OF THE PLATFORM, BUT SOME PART OF THE FOOT MUST REMAIN IN CONTACT WITH THE SURFACE. IF BLOCKS ARE USED THEY SHALL NOT EXCEED 45cms BY 45cms.
d) NOT MORE THAN 4 NOR LESS THAN 2 SPOTTERS/LOADERS SHALL BE IN ATTENDANCE. THE LIFTER MAY OBTAIN HELP FROM THE SPOTTERS IN REMOVING THE BAR FROM THE RACKS. THE LIFT OFF MUST BE TO ARMS LENGTH AND NOT DOWN TO THE CHEST. THE LIFTER
MAY UTILIZE HIS OWN SPOTTERS AND HAND OFF PERSON IF REQUESTED.
e) THE SPACING OF THE HANDS WILL NOT EXCEED 31 7/8 INCHES (81 CMS) MEASURED BETWEEN THE FOREFINGERS OR IN THE CASE OF A REVERSE GRIP LIFTER, THE MEASUREMENT IS BETWEEN THE LITTLE FINGERS
f) AFTER RECEIVING THE BAR AT ARMS LENGTH, THE LIFTER LOWERS THE BAR TO HIS CHEST AND AWAITS THE REFEREE'S SIGNAL WHICH IS A VERBAL COMMAND OF "PRESS". ADJUSTMENTS CAN BE MADE WITHOUT PENALTY BEFORE THE COMMAND.
g) THE SIGNAL TO PRESS IS GIVEN WHEN THE BAR IS MOTIONLESS ON THE CHEST AND UNDER CONTROL.
h) AFTER THE PRESS COMMAND IS GIVEN THE BAR IS PRESSED UPWARD TO STRAIGHT ARMS LENGTH AND HELD MOTIONLESS UNTIL THE AUDIBLE COMMAND "RACK" IS GIVEN
i) THE BAR IS ALLOWED TO STOP IN ITS UPWARD MOVEMENT BUT NO DOWNWARD MOVEMENT IS PERMITTED
j) HEAD MOVEMENT IS ALLOWED. THIS INCLUDES TURNING OR RAISING THE HEAD.
k) FOOT MOVEMENT IS ALLOWED WITHIN REASON. THIS INCLUDES RISING ON TOES OR HEALS. THE FEET CANNOT LEAVE THE FLOOR. SHUFFLING OF THE FEET IS NOT ALLOWED.
l) AFTER THE COMMAND TO PRESS IS GIVEN THE BUTTOCKS MUST REMAIN ON THE FLAT BENCH SURFACE. AS LONG AS SOME PORTION OF THE BUTTOCKS REMAINS ON THE BENCH AND A SIDE REFEREE CANNOT SEE STRAIGHT THROUGH THE LIFT IS PERMISSIBLE. IF A REFEREE CAN SEE UNDER THE BUTTOCKS HE SHALL GIVE THE LIFTER A RED LIGHT.
m) IF THE LIFTER DOES NOT WANT A HAND-OFF AND CHOSES TO LIFT THE WEIGHT OFF HIMSELF, HE DOES NOT HAVE TO START OFF AT STRAIGHT ARMS LENGTH BUT MAY GO STRAIGHT DOWN TO THE CHEST IF HE WISHES.
n) THERE CAN BE NO DOWNWARD MOTION OF THE BAR AFTER THE PRESS COMMAND HAS BEEN GIVEN, NOT CAN THERE BE A MAJOR CHANGE IN THE ARCH OF THE BACK. IF THE LIFTER HAS SUNK THE BAR INTO HIS CHEST BEFORE THE PRESS COMMAND HAS BEEN GIVEN IT IS PERMISSIBLE, HOWEVER, FURTHER SINKING INTO THE CHEST AFTER THE COMMAND IS GIVEN IS NOT ALLOWED.
o) MAJOR UNEVEN EXTENSION OF THE BAR AT THE COMPLETION OF THE LIFT IS NOT ALLOWED (EXCEPT IN A PROVEN, MEDICALLY DOCUMENTED DISABILITY)
p) DELIBERATE CONTACT WITH THE BAR AND THE BAR REST UPRIGHTS IS NOT ALLOWED. IF IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THE CONTACT WAS NOT DELIBERATE AND DID NOT ASSIST THE LIFT THE ATTEMPT WILL BE GRANTED TO THE LIFTER.
q) THE LIFTERS FEET MAY NOT COME INTO CONTACT WITH THE UPRIGHT SUPPORTS OF THE BENCH

CAUSES FOR DISQUALIFICATION OF A BENCH PRESS

1. FAILURE TO OBSERVED THE COMMANDS AT THE COMMENCEMENT AND COMPLETION OF THE LIFT
2. RAISING THE BUTTOCKS OFF THE BENCH SURFACE
3. HEAVING OR BOUNCING THE BAR OFF OF THE CHEST OR A MAJOR CHANGE IN THE ARCH OF THE BACK
4.SINKING THE BAR INTO THE CHEST AFTER THE PRESS COMMAND
5.MAJOR UNEVEN EXTENSION OF THE BAR AT THE COMPLETION OF THE LIFT
6.DOWNWARD MOVEMENT OF EITHER HAND DURING THE UPLIFTING
7.DELIBERATE CONTACT WITH THE BAR AND BAR REST UPRIGHTS DURING THE PERFORMANCE OF THE LIFT
8. CONTACT OF THE FEET WITH THE UPRIGHT SUPPORTS OF THE BENCH
9.CONTACT OF THE BAR BY THE SPOTTERS/LOADERS BETWEEN THE REFEREE'S SIGNALS
10. RAISING THE FOOT COMPLETELY OFF THE FLOOR OR EXCESSIVE SHUFFLING MOVEMENT OF THE FEET AFTER THE PRESS COMMAND HAS
BEEN GIVEN
11. IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE LIFTER TO INFORM HIS HAND-OFF MAN TO CLEAR THE AREA IN FRONT OF THE CENTER REFEREE IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE LIFT OFF. AS THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE, THE CENTER REFEREE MAY AT HIS DISCRETION TELL THE SPOTTERS TO TAKE THE BAR. IF THIS OCCURS, THE LIFT WILL BE DECLARED NOT GOOD.
12. SPACING OF THE HANDS EXCEEDING 31 7/8 INCHES
13. IF THE LIFTER RECEIVES A HAND OFF AND DOES NOT BEGIN AT STRAIGHT ARMS LENGTH THE LIFT MAY BE DECLARED NO GOOD IF THE REFEREES FEEL THE VIOLATION WAS VERY FLAGRANT

III. DEADLIFT

RULES OF PERFORMANCE

a) THE BAR MUST BE LAID HORIZONTALLY IN FRONT OF THE LIFTERS FEET, GRIPPED WITH AN OPTIONAL GRIP IN BOTH HANDS, AND LIFTED UPWARD WITH ONE MOVEMENT UNTIL THE LIFTER IS STANDING ERECT. STOPPING THE BAR IS ALLOWED BUT NO DOWNWARD MOVEMENT IS ALLOWED.
b) THE LIFTER WILL FACE THE FRONT OF THE PLATFORM
c) ON COMPLETION OF THE LIFT, THE KNEES SHALL BE LOCKED IN A STRAIGHT POSITION AND THE LIFTER SHALL BE STANDING ERECT. THE SHOULDERS WILL NOT BE FORWARD OR ROUNDED. IT IS NOT NECESSARY THAT THEY BE THRUST BACK PAST THE ERECT POSITION ALTHOUGH IT IS PERMISSIBLE IF THEY ARE AND ALL OTHER CRITERIA IS ACCEPTABLE.
d) THE CENTER REFEREE'S SIGNAL IS A DOWNWARD MOTION OF THE HAND AND THE VERBAL COMMAND "DOWN". THE SIGNAL SHALL BE GIVEN WHEN THE BAR IS MOTIONLESS AND THE LIFTER IS IN THE APPARENT FINISHED POSITION. THERE IS NO SIGNAL TO BEGIN THE LIFT.
THE LIFTER BEGINS THE LIFT ON HIS OWN WHEN HE FEELS HE IS READY.
e. ANY RAISING OF THE BAR OR DELIBERATE ATTEMPT TO DO SO COUNTS AS AN ATTEMPT. THE LIFTER IS ALLOWED ONE PULL PER ATTEMPT
ONLY!

CAUSES FOR DISQUALIFICATION OF A DEADLIFT

1. DOWNWARD MOVEMENT OF THE BAR DURING THE UPLIFTING
2. FAILURE TO STAND ERECT WITH SHOULDERS HELD IN AN ERECT POSITION AT THE COMPLETION OF LIFT
3. FAILURE TO LOCK KNEES AT COMPLETION OF THE LIFT
4. STEPPING BACKWARD OR FORWARD DURING THE PERFORMANCE OF THE LIFT
5. LOWERING THE BAR BEFORE RECEIVING CENTER REFEREE'S SIGNAL
6. SUPPORTING THE BAR ON THE THINGS DURING THE LIFT IN A MANNER THAT THE LIFTER CAN OBTAIN LEVERAGE (HITCHING)
7. RETURNING THE BAR TO THE PLATFORM WITHOUT MAINTAINING CONTROL WITH BOTH HANDS

GENERAL NOTATIONS - ALL LIFTS

AFTER THE "RACK" COMMAND IS GIVEN IN THE BENCH PRESS THE SPOTTERS MAY GUIDE THE BAR BACK INTO THE RACKS. THE SAME HOLDS TRUE WITH THE SQUAT. ONCE THE RACK COMMAND HAS BEEN GIVEN THE LIFT IS OFFICIALLY OVER. THIS HELPS PROMOTE SAFETY ON THE PLATFORM.

IV. WEIGHING IN

THE WPA HAS A RULE THAT IS OPTIONAL AT MOST COMPETITIONS, AND MANDATORY AT ANY CONTINENTAL, NATIONAL OR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP COMPETITION. WEIGHING IN OF THE COMPETITORS MAY TAKE PLACE UP TO 24 HOURS BEFORE A LIFTING SESSION BEGINS, OR NO LATER THAT 1/2 HOUR BEFORE THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE LIFTING SESSION. WEIGH IN SESSIONS MAY BE OF ANY DURATION, MAY BE BROKEN UP INTO SEVERAL SESSIONS, BUT MUST BE SPECIFIED ON THE ENTRY FORMS, AND IT MAY STOP 2 HOURS BEFORE THE LIFTING BEGINS. THE ONLY EXCEPTION IS FOR LIFTERS WHO STILL HAVE NOT MADE WEIGHT. THE STANDARD WEIGH-IN SESSION MUST BE OFFERED AT ALL MEETS. IT SHALL LAST FOR A DURATION OF 1 1/2 HOURS, MUST BEGIN 2 HOURS BEFORE LIFTING STARTS, AND END 1/2 HOUR BEFORE LIFTING STARTS. LIFTERS MUST BE WEIGHED IN THE NUDE OR UNDERWEAR. THE WEIGH-IN PROCEDURE WILL INSURE THAT LIFTERS ARE WEIGHED IN BY OFFICIALS, OR APPOINTED NON-REFEREE REPRESENTATIVES OF THEIR OWN SEX. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHALL A LIFTER BE WEIGHED-IN BY A MEMBER OF THE OPPOSITE SEX.

EXPLANATION OF OFFICIALLY MAKING WEIGHT

OFFICIAL WEIGH-IN AND RE-WEIGHS: EACH LIFTER MAY ONLY BE OFFICIALLY WEIGHED ONCE. ONLY THOSE WHOSE BODYWEIGHT IS HEAVIER OR LIGHTER THAN THE CATEGORY LIMITS OF THE CATEGORY ENTERED ARE ALLOWED TO RETURN TO THE SCALES. THEY MUST RETURN TO THE SCALES AND MAKE WEIGHT WITHIN THE HOUR AND A HALF ALLOWED FOR THE WEIGH-IN, OTHERWISE THEY WILL BE ELIMINATED FROM THE COMPETITION FROM THAT BODYWEIGHT CATEGORY UNLESS THERE ARE SEVERAL WEIGH IN SESSIONS. A LIFTER CAN ONLY BE RE-WEIGHED AFTER ALL OF THE LIFTERS IN HIS PARTICULAR BODYWEIGHT CATEGORY HAVE BEEN WEIGHED IN ONCE, IF ONLY ONE WEIGH IN SESSION OCCURS. THIS METHOD MAY BE MODIFIED BY MEED DIRECTORS AT ALL COMPETITIONS OF STATE/PROVINCE LEVEL OR BELOW. A LIFTER MAY TRY TO MAKE WEIGHT AS MANY TIMES AS NECESSARY UNTIL THE WEIGH-IN TIME HAS EXPIRED. IT IS THE
LIFTERS RESPONSIBILITY TO SPECIFY TO THE SCALES OFFICIAL THAT HE IS CHECKING HIS WEIGHT ONLY - AND NOT OFFICIALLY WEIGHING IN. IT IS THE LIFTERS RESPONSIBLILITY TO INDICATE THAT HE IS OFFICIALLY WEIGHING IN FOR THE OFFICIAL TO RECORD HIS WEIGHT FOR THE COMPETITION.

ILLEGAL RE-WEIGH: IF A LIFTER ENTERS A CERTAIN WEIGHT CLASS, STEPS ON THE SCALES AND OFFICIALLY MAKES WEIGHT WITHING THE UPPER AND LOWER LIMITS, HE IS NOT ALLOWED TO BE RE-WEIGHED TO MAKE ANOTHER WEIGHT CLASS.

IN CASE LIFTERS TIE: IF TWO LIFTERS WEIGH THE SAME AT WEIGH-IN AND EVENTUALLY TIE IN THEIR TOTALS, THEY SHALL BE RE-WEIGHED. THE LIGHTER LIFTER SHALL TAKE FIRST PLACE AND THE HEAVIER LIFTER SECOND PLACE. HOWEVER, IF THEY STILL WEIGH THE SAME AFTER THE RE-WEIGH, BOTH LIFTERS SHALL SHARE FIRST PLACE AND THE PERSON WHO WOULD NORMALLY HAVE PLACED THIRD WILL STILL BE RANKED THIRD AND SO ON. IF TWO LIFTERS TIE FOR FIRST PLACE TEAM SCORING WILL BE CONDUCTED BY ADDING FIRST AND SECOND PLACE POINTS AND DIVIDING THEM EQUALLY.

VI. ORDER OF COMPETITION

1. THE ORGANIZER APPOINTS THE FOLLOWING OFFICIALS: SPEAKER/ANNOUNCER, MARSHALLS/EXPIDITORS, SCORERS, SPOTTER/LOADERS, OTHER POSITIONS AS NEEDED.

2.THE SPEAKER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE EFFICIENT RUNNING OF THE COMPETITION. HE ACTS AS MASTER OF CEREMONIES AND ARRANGES THE ATTEMPTS CHOSED BY THE LIFTERS IN AN ORDERLY FASHION, ANNOUNCES THE WEIGHT REQUIRED FOR THE NEXT ATTEMPT, THE RACK SETTINGS AND THE NAME OF THE LIFTER.

3. WHEN THE BAR IS LOADED AND THE PLATFORM IS CLEARED FOR LIFTING, NEAT, TIDY AND SAFE, THE CENTER REFEREE WILL INDICATE THE FACT TO THE SPEAKER WHO IN TURN WILL ANNOUNCE THAT THE BAR IS LOADED AND CALL THE LIFTER TO THE PLATFORM, AND TELL THE TIMER TO START THE ONE MINUTE CLOCK.

4. ONCE A CLOCK IS RUNNING FOR THE LIFTER, IT CAN ONLY BE STOPPED BY THE COMPLETION OF A TIME ALLOWANCE, BY THE START OF A LIFT, OR AT THE DISCRETION OF THE CENTER REFEREE. IT IS OF GREAT IMPORTANCE THAT THE LIFTER OR COACH CHECK THE HEIGHT OF THE SQUAT RACK PRIOR TO BEING CALLED AS ONCE THE BAR IS READY, THE CLOCK IS STARTED AND ANY FURTHER ADJUSTMENTS TO THE RACKS WILL BE MADE WITHIN T HE LIFTERS ONE MINUTE TIME ALLOWANCE. THE LIFTER IS ALLOWED ONE MINUTE IN WHICH TO START HIS ATTEMPT AFTER BEING CALLED TO THE PLATFORM. IF HE DOES NOT START HIS ATTEMPT WITHIN THE TIME ALLOWANCE, THE TIME KEEPER WILL CALL TIME, THE LIFT WILL BE DECLARED "NO LIFT" AND THE ATTEMPT FORFEITED. WHEN THE LIFTER STARTS THE LIFT WITHIN THE TIME ALLOWANCE, THE CLOCK WILL BE STOPPED. IF A LIFTER APPEARS ON THE PLATFORM IN VIOLATION OF THE UNIFORM/EQUIPMENT RULES, THE LIFTER SHALL BE WARNED BY A REFEREE AND WILL HAVE WHATEVER TIME IS LEFT ON THE CLOCK TO CORRECT THE VIOLATION AND START HIS ATTEMPT. IF THIS IS NOT ACCOMPLISHED WITHIN THE ONE MINUTE TIME ALLOWANCE, THE TIMEKEEPER WILL CALL TIME AND THE LIFT WILL BE DECLARED "NO LIFT".

5. IN SMALL COMPETITIONS THE LIFTER INFORMS THE SPEAKER WITHIN ONE MINUTE OF COMPETING HIS LAST ATTEMPT, AND LETS THE SPEAKER KNOW WHAT HIS NEXT ATTEMPT SHALL BE. IN LARGER COMPETITIONS THE MARSHALLS/EXPEDITORS WILL HAVE THIS RESPONSIBILITY. THE MARSHALL/EXPEDITORS WILL APPROACH THE LIFTER OR HIS COACH IMMEDIATELY AFTER HIS ATTEMPT AND REQUEST THE WEIGHT REQUIRED FOR HIS NEXT ATTEMPT.IF THE LIFTER DOES NOT GIVE HIS NEXT ATTEMPT WITHIN ONE MINUTE THE SPEAKER WILL BE INFORMED AND THE WEIGHT ON THE BAR WILL BE INCREASED TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE NEXT LIFTER IN NORMAL
PROGRESSION.

6. SCORERS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ACCURATELY RECORDING THE PROGRESS OF THE COMPETITION, AND ON COMPLETING, ENSURING THAT THE THREE REFEREE'S SIGN THE OFFICIAL SCORE SHEETS, RECORD CERTIFICATES OR ANY OTHER DOCUMENTS WHICH REQUIRE SIGNATURES.

7. SPOTTERS/LOADERS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR LOADING AND UNLOADING THE BAR, ADJUSTING SQUAT RACKS OR BENCHES AS REQUIRED, CLEANING THE BAR OR PLATFORM AT THE REQUEST OF CENTER REFEREE, AND IN GENERAL ASSURING THAT THE PLATFORM IS WELL MAINTAINED AND PRESENTS A NEAT AND TIDY APPEARANCE AT ALL TIMES. AT NO TIME SHALL THERE EVER BE LESS THAN TWO OR MORE THAN FIVE SPOTTER/LOADERS ON THE PLATFORM. WHEN THE LIFTER PREPARES FOR AN ATTEMPT, THE SPOTTER/LOADERS MAY ASSIST IN REMOVING THE BAR FROM THE RACKS, AND ALSO IN REPLACING THE BAR AFTER THE ATTEMPT. THEY SHALL NOT TOUCH THE LIFTER OR THE BAR DURING THE ACTUAL ATTEMPT. THE ONLY EXCEPTION TO THIS RULE IS IF THE LIFTER IS IN JEOPARDY AND LIKELY TO RESULT IN INJURY, EITHER AT THE REQUEST OF THE LIFTER, THE CENTER REFEREE, OR WHEN IT IS VERY OBVIOUS TO THE SPOTTER/LOADERS THAT
THE LIFTER WILL MOST LIKELY BE INJURED IF THE LIFT IS TO CONTINUE. THE LIFTER SHALL STAY WITH THE BAR AND AID IN ITS REPLACEMENT IN THE RACK, UNLESS THE INJURY PROHIBITS THE LIFTER FROM ASSISTING.

8. IF THE LIFTER IS DEPRIVED OF AN ATTEMPT BY AN ERROR OF A SPOTTER, AND THROUGH NO FAULT OF HIS OWN, HE WILL BE GRANTED ANOTHER ATTEMPT IF HE WISHES. THE CORRECTION MUST BE MADE AT THE END OF THE ROUND. IF THE ERROR OCCURS ON THE LAST LIFTER OF THE ROUND THE CENTER REFEREEE SHALL ASSIGN A TIME FOR THE LIFTER TO RETAKE HIS ATTEMPT. THE LIFTER WILL BE GIVEN AMPLE TIME TO RECUPERATE BEFORE A RETAKE OF THE ATTEMPT.

PERSONS ALLOWED ON THE PLATFORM: DURING THE ACTUAL EXECUTION OF A LIFT, ONLY THE THREE REFEREE'S, AND THE SPOTTER/LOADERS ARE PERMITTED TO BE PRESENT ON THE PLATFORM. COACHES SHALL NOT BE ALLOWED AT THE BACK OR SIDES OF THE PLATFORM DURING THE LIFT. COACHES MUST REMAIN OUTSIDE OF THE DESIGNATED LIFTING AREA.

ADJUSTING EQUIPMENT WHILE ON THE PLATFORM: A LIFTER SHALL NOT ADJUST HIS COSTUME OR WRAP WITHIN THE VECINITY OF THE PLATFORM. THE ONLY EXCEPTION TO THIS RULE IS THAT HE MAY ADJUST HIS BELT.

PROGRESSIVE LOADING OF THE BAR: THE BAR SHALL BE LOADED PROGRESSIVELY. THE LIFTER REQUIRING THE LIGHTEST ATTEMPT BEING FIRST. THE BAR, EXCEPT IN RARE SITUATIONS CANNOT BE REDUCED IN WEIGHT ONCE A LIFT HAS BEEN PERFORMED WITH THE WEIGHT ANNOUNCED. IT IS A NECESSITY THAT THE LIFTER OR HIS COACH OBSERVE THE PROGRESSIVE LOADING OF THE BAR AND BE READY FOR HIS ATTEMPT AT THE CHOSEN WEIGHT.

ATTEMPT PRIORITY RULE: A LIFTER TAKING HIS FIRST ATTEMPT MUST PRECEDE LIFTERS TAKING THEIR SECOND AND THIRD ATTEMPTS WITH THE SAME WEIGHT. ALSO, A LIFTER TAKING HIS SECOND ATTEMPT MUST PRECEDE LIFTERS TAKING THEIR THIRD ATTEMPTS WITH THE SAME WEIGHT. ALL FIRST ATTEMPTS MUST BE TAKEN IN ROUND ONE, ALL SECOND ATTEMPTS MUST BE TAKEN IN ROUND TWO, AND ALL THIRD ATTEMPTS IN ROUND THREE. FOURTH ATTEMPTS MAY BE TAKEN AT THE END OF THE THIRD ROUND. FOURTH ATTEMPTS MAY BE TAKEN FOR PURPOSES OF SETTING A WORLD, NATIONAL, REGIONAL, OR STATE RECORD. A FOURTH ATTEMPT IS FOR RECORD PURPOSES ONLY. IT MAY NOT BE APPLIED TO THE TOTAL AND CONSIDERED AS AN ATTEMPT WITHIN THE COMPETITION.

MINIMUM AMOUNT OF WEIGHT INCREASE BETWEEN SUCCESSFUL ATTEMPTS: IN WPA RECOGNIZED COMPETITIONS THE WEIGHT OF
THE BARBELL MUST ALWAYS BE A MULTIPLE OF 5 LBS (2.5 kg). THE PREOGRESSION MUST BE AT LEAST 10 LBS BETWEEN THE FIRST AND
SECOND ATTEMPTS AND 5 LBS. BETWEEN THE SECOND AND THIRD ATTEMPTS.
EXCEPTIONS TO THIS RULE:
a. A REQUEST FOR 5 LBS. BETWEEN THE FIRST AND SECOND ATTEMPTS INDICATES THAT THE LIFTER DOES NOT WANT TO TAKE A THIRD
ATTEMPT.
b. PROGRESSION BY 5 LBS. BETWEEN THE FIRST AND SECOND ATTEMPTS IN THE CASE OF A FEMALE LIFTER DURING THE BENCH PRESS BETWEEN HER FIRST AND SECOND ATTEMPT.
c. IN RECORD ATTEMPTS MADE OUTSIDE OF THE COMPETITION, THE WEIGHT OF THE BARBELLMUST BE AT LEAST 500 GRAMS IN EXCESS OF THE CURRENT RECORD. THIS RECORD ATTEMPT MUST BE TAKEN IN THE NORMAL SEQUENCE OF INCREASING WEIGHT DURING THE
COMPETITION AND NOT AT THE COMPLETION OF LIFTING.

LOADING ERRORS OR INCORRECT ANNOUNCEMENTS BY SPEAKERS:

a. IF THE BAR IS LOADED TO A LIGHTER WEIGHT THAN ORIGINALLY REQUESTED AND THE ATTEMPT IS SUCCESSFUL, THE LIFTER MAY ACCEPT THE SUCCESSFUL ATTEMPT OR ELECT TO TAKE THE ATTEMPT AGAIN AT THE WEIGHT ORIGINALLY REQUESTED. IF THE ATTEMPT IS
TO BE RE-TAKEN AT THE ORIGINALLY REQUESTED WEIGHT, THE LIFTER MAY TAKE THE ATTEMPT AT THE END OF THE ROUND.

b. IF THE BAR IS LOADED TO A HEAVIER WEIGHT THAN ORIGINALLY REQUESTED AND THE ATTEMPT IS SUCCESSFUL, THE LIFTER WILL BE GRANTED THE ATTEMPT. HOWEVER, THE WEIGHT MAY BE REDUCED AGAIN IF REQUIRED BY THE OTHER LIFTERS. IF THE ATTEMPT IS NOT
SUCCESSFUL, THE LIFTER WILL BE GRANTED A FURTHER ATTEMPT AT THE ORIGINALLY REQUESTED WEIGHT.

c. IF THE LOADING IS NOT THE SAME ON EACH SIDE OF THE BAR, ANY CHANGE OCCURS ON THE BAR OR DISCS DURING THE LIFT, OR THE PLATFORM IS DISARRANGED AND THE LIFT IS NOT SUCCESSFUL, THE LIFTER WILL BE GRANTED A FURTHER ATTEMPT.

d. IF A LOADING ERROR OCCURS DURING THE SECOND ATTEMPT OF A LIFT AND THE PROGRESSION, BECAUSE OF THIS ERROR IS ONLY 5 LBS., THE LIFTER MAY ACCEPT THE SUCCESSFUL ATTEMPT AND GO ON TO HIS THIRD ATTEMPT IF HE WISHES, WITH NO PENALTY FOR ONLY MAKING A 5 LB. JUMP. IN WPA RECOGNIZED COMPETITION THE LIFTER SHALL NOT BE PENALIZED FOR AN ERROR OF A MEET OFFICIAL. IF THE LIFTER WISHES TO TRY THE ATTEMPT AGAIN WITH THE AMOUNT HE SPECIFIED, HE WILL BE GRANTED AN ADDITIONAL ATTEMPT. IF THE ATTEMPT WITH THE AMOUNT HE ORIGINALLY SPECIFIED IS UNSUCCESSFUL HE WILL BE GIVEN CREDIT FOR THE SUCCESSFUL LIFT WITH ONLY A 5 LB. JUMP.

e. IF THE SPEAKER FAILS TO ANNOUNCE A LIFTER AT THE APPROPRIATE WEIGHT, THEN THE WEIGHT ON THE BAR SHALL BE REDUCED AS NECESSARY AND THE LIFTER SHALL BE ALLOWED TO TAKE HIS ATTEMPT.

f. THREE UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPTS IN ANY LIFT WILL AUTOMATICALLY ELIMINATE A LIFTER FROM THE COMPETITION. IF PRIOR TO BEING ELIMINATED, A LIFTER HAS SET A RECORD IN ONE OF THE OTHER LIFTS AND THE PROPER OFFICIALS WERE PRESENT, THE LIFTER WILL BE GRANTED THE RECORD IN THAT LIFT. HE WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO CONTINUE WITH THE COMPETITION HOWEVER.

g. ON COMPLETION OF A LIFT, THE LIFTER SHALL HAVE 30 SECONDS TO LEAVE THE PLATFORM. FAILURE TO COMPLY AFTER BEING WARNED SHALL RESULT IN DISQUALIFICATION.

h. IF A LIFTER SUFFERS AN INJURY THE OFFICIAL DOCTOR SHALL EXAMINE THE INJURY. IF HE CONSIDERS IT INADVISABLE TO CONTINUE, THE LIFTER MUST RETIRE FROM THE COMPETITION. IF NO DOCTOR IS PRESENT, AND THE REFEREE'S OR MEET DIRECTOR FEEL THE LIFTER SHOULD NOT CONTINUE LIFTING, HE SHALL RETIRE.

i. ANY LIFTER OR COACH, WHO BY REASON OF MISCONDUCT UPON OR NEAR THE COMPETITION PLATFORM IS LIKELY TO DISCREDIT THE SPORT, SHALL RECEIVE ONE OFFICIAL WARNING. IF THE MISCONDUCT CONTINUES THE REFEREES WILL DISQUALIFY THE LIFTER AND ORDER THE COACH TO LEAVE THE VENUE. THIS RULE APPLIES EVEN IF IT IS THE LIFTERS LAST LIFT OF THE DAY AT THE COMPETITION. ANY LIFTER WHO STRIKES AN OFFICIAL OR ANY OTHER INDIVIDUAL AT A COMPETITION WILL BE PERMANENTLY BANNED FROM ALL WPA REGISTERED COMPETITIONS (APA, CPA, ECT). ANY LIFTER WHO CAUSES A DISRUPTION WHICH SERIOUSLY INTERFERES WITH THE EFFICIENT RUNNING OF A COMPETITION, OR INTERFERES WITH LIFTERS PREPARING FOR A LIFT, WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM WPA REGISTERED COMPETITION FOR 3
YRS.

j. ANY CERTIFIED WPA REFEREE WHO THROUGH HIS ACTIONS IS OBVIOUSLY SHOWING BIAS TOWARDS A LIFTER OR PARTIALITY WILL BE PERMANENTLY SUSPENDED FROM BEING A REFEREE AND WILL NO LONGER BE CERTIFIED AS A REFEREE.

k. IF A LIFTER ASSAULTS AN OFFICIAL, COMPETITOR OR SPECTATOR, THE MEET DIRECTOR SHALL NOTIFY THE WPA IN WRITING WITHIN 3 DAYS OF THE INCIDENT. WRITTEN COMPLAINT SHOULD INCLUDE THE NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE LIFTER INVOLVED. THE MEET DIRECTOR IS REQUIRED TO REPORT ANY ASSAULT TO LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITIES IMMEDIATELY AND OBTAIN A COPY OF THE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES POLICE REPORT. A COPY OF THIS REPORT SHALL BE SENT TO THE APA-WPA OFFICE WITHIN 24 HOURS. THE LIFTER WILL BE PERMANENTLY SUSPENDED FROM THE WPA AND WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO COMPETE IN ANY EVENT RUN BY AN ORGANIZATION REGISTERED WITH THE WPA (SUCH AS APA OR CPA).

VII. REFEREE'S

THE REFEREE' SHALL BE THREE IN NUMBER (ONE CENTER & 2 SIDE REFEREE'S). THE CENTER REFEREE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR GIVING THE NECESSARY SIGNALS FOR ALL THREE LIFTS. THE THREE REFEREE'S MAY SEAT THEMSELVES IN WHAT THEY CONSIDER TO BE THE BEST VIEWING POSITIONS AROUND THE PLATFORM FOR EACH OF THE THREE LIFTS. REFEREE'S SHOULD POSITION THEMSELVES IN THE BEST VIEWING POSITION, AND MAY HAVE TO LEAN, SHIFT, OR LEAVE THEIR CHAIR TO DO SO. A REFEREE SHOULD NOT ASK A SPOTTER TO MOVE TO GET A BETTER VIEW OF THE LIFT - IF BY SO DOING IT COULD IN ANY WAY JEOPARDIZE THE SAFETY OF THE LIFTER. LIFTER SAFETY SHALL TAKE PRIORITY OVER ANYTHING ELSE. HOWEVER, THE HANDS OF THE REAR SPOTTER MAY NOT INTERFERE WITH THE VIEWING OF THE TOP OF THE THIGHS AT THE HIP JOINT DURING THE PERFORMANCE OF THE SQUAT.

SPECIFIC AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY OF JUDGING FOR REFEREE'S: ALL THREE PLATFORM OFFICIALS HAVE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF JUDGING ALL ASPECTS OF THE LIFTERS ON THE PLATFORM. IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THE HEAD REFEREE, FROM HIS POSITION AT THE FRONT OF THE PLATFORM, HAS A VANTAGE POINT THAT MAKES IT MORE DIFFICULT TO JUDGE SOME ASPECTS OF A LIFT, AS COMPARED TO THE SIDE REFEREE'S. HOWEVER, HE DOES HAVE THE RESPONSIBILITY TO JUDGE ALL SUCH ASPECTS AND IS NEITHER PROHIBITED NOR EXCUSED FROM MAKING A JUDGEMENT ON CERTAIN ASPECTS OF A LIFT BECAUSE HIS VANTAGE POINT IS NOT THE SAME AS SIDE OFFICIALS. ONCE THE HEAD REFEREE HAS GIVEN THE STARTING SIGNAL, IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT HE NOT LEAVE HIS CHAIR DURING THE LIFT TO GAIN BETTER VANTAGE POINT BECAUSE THIS MAY CAUSE A DISTRACTION TO THE LIFTER.

PROCEDURE WHEN A REFEREE IS "BLOCKED" OUT OF VIEWING THE LIFT IN PROGRESS: IF, DURING THE LIFT A SPOTTER UNINTENTIONALLY GETS IN THE WAY OF A REFEREE'S VIEW OF THE LIFT SO THAT HE DOES NOT ACTUALLY SEE THE LIFT, THE REFEREE SHOULD GIVE THE LIFTER A WHITE LIGHT, AND THE SPOTTER BE WARNED.

DUTIES OF THE REFEREES: PRIOR TO THE CONTEST HE SHOULD MAKE SURE THE PLATFORM AND EQUIPMENT COMPLY IN ALL RESPECTS WITH THE RULES, THE SCALES BE WORKING PROPERLY AND BE CERTIFIED ACCURATE WITHIN THE LAST 12 MONTHS, ASSURE THAT
WEIGH-INS BE CONDUCTED LEGALLY AND PROPER, AND ASSURE A THOROUGH RULES BRIEFING IS CONDUCTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THAT THE LIFTING STARTS. DURING THE CONTEST HE SHOULD MAKE SURE THAT THE WEIGHT ON THE BAR BE LOADED THE SAME AS THE SPEAKER ANNOUNCES. ALL THREE REFEREES SHOULD BE ISSUED LOADING CHARTS. DURING THE MEET IF ANY REFEREE HAS REASON TO DOUBT A LIFTERS INTEGRITY IN RESPECT TO INTENTIONAL USE OF INVALID ATTIRE OR EQUIPMENT TO GIVE THE LIFTER AN UNFAIR ADVANTAGE OVER OTHER COMPETITORS, THE REFEREE SHALL CALL THIS TO THE ATTENTION OF THE OTHER REFEREE'S AND INSPECT THE LIFTER. IF THE INFRACTION IS MAJOR THE LIFTER SHALL BE DISQUALIFIED FROM THE COMPETITION. IF THE INFRACTION IS MINOR THE LIFTER SHALL BE WARNED.

PROCEDURE OF A REFEREE SEEING A FAULT OF THE LIFTER OR LIFT: HE SHALL CALL ATTENTION TO THE FAULT. IF THE HEAD REFEREE OR OTHER SIDE REFEREE IS IN AGREEMENT, THIS WILL CONSTITUTE MAJORITY OPINION AND THE CENTER REFEREE WILL STOP THE LIFT AT A DISCRETIONARY SAFE POINT. HE WILL THEN SIGNAL THE LIFTER TO "RACK OR DOWN" AND GIVE THE APPROPRIATE HAND SIGNAL. OR HE SHALL ORDER THE SPOTTERS TO TAKE THE BAR.

PROCEDURE FOR A LIFTER TO BE INFORMED OF INFRACTIONS WHICH CAUSE HIM TO RECEIVE A RED LIGHT: A LIFTER RECEIVING A RED LIGHT FOR A LIGHT MAY (IF HE/SHE DESIRES) APPROACH A REFEREE AFTER COMPLETION OF THE LIFT AND NOT DURING THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE NEXT LIFT, AND ASCERTAIN WHY HE/SHE RECEIVED A RED LIGHT. THE REFEREE SHALL INFORM THE LIFTER AS TO WHY A RED LIGHT WAS GIVEN. THE LIFTER SHOULD NOT, HOWEVER, APPROACH AND ASK A REFEREE WHY A RED LIGHT WAS GIVEN, AFTER SEVERAL LIFTS HAVE GONE BY FOLLOWING HIS/HER OWN.

NON-INFLUENCE OF REFEREE'S TOWARD EACH OTHER: REFEREE'S MAY NOT VETO OR OVERULE EACH OTHER. A REFEREE SHALL NOT ATTEMPT TO INFLUENCE THE DECISIONS OF OTHER REFEREE'S. THERE SHALL NOT BE RANKING OF REFEREES. ALL REFEREE'S ARE EQUAL. IF A REFEREE IS PARTIAL TOWARDS A CERTAIN LIFTER OR BIAS IN HIS OPINION AND FEELS IT WILL INTERFERE WITH HIS JUDGEMENT HE WILL INFORM THE OTHER REFEREES SO HE CAN BE REPLACED WHILE THAT LIFTER IS LIFTING.

ACCEPTABLE REFEREE COMMUNICATION: REFEREE'S MAY CONSULT WITH EACH OTHER OR ANY OTHER OFFICIAL IN ORDER TO EXPEDITE THE COMPETITION, OR TO CORRECT FAULTS.

REFEREE DRESS CODE: REFEREE'S SHOULD DRESS NEAT AND APPROPRIATE. THEY SHALL NOT DRESS IN A MANNER WHICH WILL CAUSE THE PUBLIC TO VIEW THE SPORT IN AN UNFAVORABLE VIEW.

VIII. RECORD SETTING

1. GENERAL CONDITIONS REQUIRED FOR SETTING WPA, APA, CPA OR AFFILIATE RECORDS

AT WORLD, CONTINENTAL, REGIONAL, AND NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS SANCTIONED BY WPA AND AFFILIATE FEDERATIONS WORLD RECORDS SHALL BE ACCEPTED WITHOUT WEIGHING THE BARBELL AFTER THE LIFT. AT THIS LEVEL OF COMPETITION THE BARBELL AND DISCS MUST BE WEIGHED AND MARKED PRIOR TO THE COMPETITION STARTING TIME. THIS WILL ASSURE THAT THE MEET IS RUN SMOOTHLY AND EFFICIENTLY WITHOUT UNNECESSARY STOPS DURING THE COMPETITION.

REQUIREMENTS FOR REGISTRATION OF WORLD, CONTINENTAL, NATIONAL AND REGIONAL RECORDS ARE AS FOLLOWS:

A. THE COMPETITION MUST BE HELD UNDER THE SANTION OF THE NATIONAL FEDERATION AFFILIATED WITH THE WPA. ALL SANCTION REQUEST FORMS MUST BE MAILED TO AND APPROVED BY THE WPA HEADQUARTERS AT LEAST 30 DAYS PRIOR TO THE EVENT.
B. ALL OF THE ADJUDICATING REFEREES MUST HOLD A CURRENT WPA REFEREE'S CARD OR THEY MAY BE REFEREE'S OF NATIONAL RANK WITH THE USPF, USAPL, CPU, OR NASA. WHEN USING REFEREE'S FROM THE OTHER FEDERATIONS LISTED THEY MUST BE MADE AWARE OF
THE MINOR RULES DIFFERENCES THAT EXIST BETWEEN THE WPA AND THEIR RESPECTIVE FEDERATIONS. WE WILL NOT ACCEPT REFEREE'S FROM FEDERATIONS OTHER THAN THOSE LISTED ABOVE. ALL REFEREE EXAMS MUST BE SENT TO AND GRADED BY WPA HEADQUARTERS.
C. THE GOOD FAITH AND COMPETENCE OF REFEREE'S OF ALL MEMBERS NATIONS IS BEYOND DISPUTE. CONSEQUENTLY, A WORLD OR CONTINENTAL RECORD CAN BE ASSURED BY REFEREE'S OF THE SAME NATION.
D. DUEL SANCTIONED MEETS ARE NO LONGER PERMITTED.
E. A LIFTER MAY SET A WORLD RECORD OR OTHER RECORD FOR AN INDIVIDUAL LIFT AT A FULL POWER MEET. IF THE LIFTER MAKES IT KNOWN THAT HE/SHE IS NOT COMPETING FOR AN AWARD AND WISHES TO SET AN INDIVIDUAL LIFT RECORD WITH THE PROPER OFFICIALS
PRESENT, HE MAY DO SO WITHOUT HAVING TO TAKE TOKEN LIFTS IN THE OTHER LIFTS.
F.IF A LIFTER COMPETING IN A FULL POWER MEET SETS AN INDIVIDUAL LIFT RECORD BUT IS DISQUALIFIED FROM THE COMPETITION BECAUSE HE FAILED TO MAKE THE THREEE ATTEMPTS AT ANOTHER LIFT HE WILL STILL RETAIN THE RECORD HE SET FOR THE INDIVIDUAL LIFT PROVIDED THE PROPER REFEREES WERE PRESENT TO VALIDATE THAT THE LIFT WAS PROPERLY PERFORMED.
G. THE LIFTER MUST FILL OUT A RECORD REQUEST FORM AFTER SETTING A NEW RECORD. THIS FORM MUST BE COMPLETELY FILLED OUT WITH NO OMITTED SPACES AND MAILED TO THE WPA / APA HEADQUARTERS WITHIN 30 DAYS OF SETTING THE RECORD. THE FORM MUST BE SIGNED BY THE THREE ADJUDICATING REFEREE'S. THIS REQUIREMENT MUST BE EXPLAINED TO THE LIFTERS AT THE RULES MEETING.
H. NO FOURTH ATTEMPTS FOR A RECORD MAY BE INCLUDED IN THE TOTAL AT A FULL MEET OR AS AN ATTEMPT WITHIN THE COMPETITION AT A SINGLE EVENT MEET. FOURTH ATTEMPTS ARE FOR RECORD PURPOSES ONLY.
I. THE BARBELL AND DISCS MUST WEIGH WITHIN 1% OF THEIR FACE VALUE AND DETERMINED BY CERTIFIED SCALES.

MEET INSURANCE:

THE WPA AND APA PROVIDE MEET INSURANCE TO INDIVIDUAL MEET DIRECTORS. FOR DETAILS CONTACT THE APA-WPA OFFICE. THOSE RUNNING AN APA OR WPA COMPETITION WHO DO NOT WISH TO INSURE THEIR MEET MUST SUBMIT A FORM (TO BE OBTAINED FROM THE APA OR WPA OFFICE) TO THE APA/WPA WHICH SPECIFIES THAT THEY ARE ASSUMING ALL LIABILITY FOR ANY INJURY OR DAMAGES/LOSSES THAT OCCUR AT THEIR EVENT AND ARE REFUSING THE MEET INSURANCE OFFERED BY THE APA/WPA. THIS FORM MUST BE SENT TO THE APA - WPA AT LEAST 30 DAYS BEFORE SAID EVENT OR THE EVENT WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED SANCTIONED BY THE APA OR WPA AND THE MEET WILL BE CONSIDERED A NON-SANCTIONED EVENT. THE APA & WPA ASSUME NO LIABILITY FOR INJURY OR DAMAGES STEMMING FROM A MEET THAT THE MEET DIRECTOR WISHES TO RUN UN-INSURED. THE PREMIUM FOR MEET INSURANCE IS PAID FOR ANNUALLY BY THE APA & WPA. THE INDIVIDUAL MEET COST IS THEREFORE RENDERED EXTREMELY INEXPENSIVE TO INDIVIDUAL PROMOTERS/MEET DIRECTORS.

SANCTIONING COMPETITIONS:

A. IN ORDER FOR A SANCTION TO BE GRANTED THE MEET DIRECTOR OR STATE CHAIRMAN SHALL APPLY FOR THE SANCTION AT LEAST 4 WEEKS PRIOR TO THE PLANNED EVENT. SANCTION FEE IS $20.00 FOR ALL GENERAL EVENTS AND STATE-REGIONAL LEVEL EVENTS. SANCTION REQUESTS AND BID PROPOSITIONS FOR ALL NATIONAL, CONTINENTAL, AND WORLD LEVEL COMPETITIONS SHOULD BE SUBMITTED TO WPA HEADQUARTERS AT LEAST 6 MONTHS IN ADVANCE. SANCTION FEE MUST ACCOMPANY THE SANCTION REQUEST FORM. IF A SANCTION IS DENIED A REFUND WILL BE SENT TO THE MEET DIRECTOR AS WELL AS A WRITTEN EXPLANATION WHY THE SANCTION REQUEST WAS DENIED. WHEN AN EVENT IS SCHEDULED AND ANOTHER PROMOTER REQUESTS TO RUN AN EVENT WITHIN A 2 HOUR TRAVEL RADIUS DURING THE SAME TIME FRAME, THE REQUEST OF THE SECOND PERSON WILL BE DENIED.

UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES WILL A RAW (NO PROTECTIVE GEAR) DIVISION BE RUN IN ANY WPA AFFILIATE COMPETITION. THOSE WHO ATTEMPT TO RUN A RAW DIVISION WILL LOOSE SANCTION RECOGNITION AND WILL BE SUBJECT TO LAWSUIT FROM SPONSORS WHO HAVE MADE SPONSORSHIP AGREEMENTS WITH THE WPA. IN OTHER WORDS IF YOU RUN A RAW DIVISION YOUR MEET IS AUTOMATICALLY CONSIDERED UNSANCTIONED AND YOU ARE FORFEITING ALL SANCTION FEE'S ASSOCIATED WITH RUNNING THIS EVENT DUE TO BREECH OF CONTRACT (OUTLINED ON SANCTION REQUEST FORMS). THE MEET DIRECTOR/PROMOTER WILL LOSE ALL RIGHT TO EVER AGAIN ATTEMPT TO RUN A MEET UNDER APA OR WPA SANCTIONS.

SALE OF MEMBERSHIP CARDS

AT ALL SANCTIONED EVENTS THOSE COMPETING MUST BE WPA AFFILIATE MEMBERS. THOSE WHO DO NOT PRODUCE A MEMBERSHIP CARD MUST PURCHASE ONE FROM THE MEET DIRECTOR. COST OF MEMBERSHIP IS $20 FOR 1 YEAR. CARDS ARE VALID FOR ONE YEAR FROM DATE OF PURCHASE. MEET DIRECTORS WILL KEEP $5 OUT OF EACH MEMBERSHIP CARD THEY SELL AT AN EVENT AND MAIL THE REMAINING $15 TO THE APA/WPA OFFICE WITHIN SEVEN DAYS AFTER THE CONTEST DATE. MEET DIRECTORS WHO DO NOT SUBMIT MEMBERSHIP APPLICATIONS AND MEMBERSHIP DUES TO THE APA OR WPA WITHIN 7 DAYS OF AN EVENT WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO RUN FURTHER APA MEETS.

FORMULA UTILIZED IN WPA COMPETITION

THE OFFICIALLY RECOGNIZED FORMULA SHALL BE THE SCHWARTZ FORMULA FOR MEN AND THE MALONE FORMULA FOR WOMEN, AND FOSTER FORMULA FOR MASTER LIFTERS OVER 40 YEARS OF AGE. THE FORMULA IS UTILIZED TO DETERMINE THE OVERALL CHAMPION OR PLACEMENTS IN CLASSES RUN BY FORMULA INSTEAD OF WEIGHT CLASSES.

DRUG TESTED EVENTS OR DIVISIONS:

AT ALL MEETS WHICH HAVE DRUG TESTED DIVISIONS URINE TESTING SHALL BE CONDUCTED BY AEGIS ANALYTICAL LABORATORIES WITH AT LEAST 10% OF THE LIFTERS IN DRUG FREE CLASSES SHALL BE DRUG TESTED. THOSE TO BE DRUG TESTED SHALL BE SELECTED (AT MEET DIRECTORS CHOICE) FROM 1ST PLACE FINISHERS. THOSE WHO WISH TO RUN DRUG TESTED DIVISIONS MUST CONTACT WPA OFFICE FOR TEST KITS AND INSTRUCTIONS. MEET DIRECTORS WILL NOT USE A LABORATORY NOT APPROVED BY THE APA OR WPA.

THOSE WHO FAIL A DRUG TEST WILL BE BANNED FROM WPA AFFILIATED COMPETITION FOR A PERIOD OF 3 YEARS.

ALTHOUGH THE WPA DOES NOT DRUG TEST FOR OVER THE COUNTER PRODUCTS EACH LIFTER MUST BE MADE AWARE THAT THEY WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO COMPETE IF THEY HAVE BEEN USING ANDROSTENEDIONE, ANDROSTENE, OR NORANDROSTENEDIONE WITHIN 1 WEEK
OF THE COMPETITION. IF THE ATHLETE HAS BEEN USING THESE PRODUCTS PRIOR TO THE COMPETITION AND TESTS "POSITIVE" THAT ATHLETE WILL RECEIVE THE SAME 3 YEAR SUSPENSION AS ANY OTHER LIFTER WHO FAILS A DRUG TEST FOR STEROID USE.

SPECIAL RULE FOR RECORD SETTING AT FULL POWER EVENTS

IF A COMPETITOR COMPETES IN A FULL POWER MEET WITH THE INTENTION OF SETTING RECORDS AT THE EVENT AND BOMBS OUT AT A PARTICULAR LIFT IN THE EVENT, HE IS NO LONGER CONSIDERED COMPETING FOR A PLACING. HOWEVER, THE LIFTER MAY CONTINUE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE OTHER LIFTS FOR THE PURPOSE OF SETTING RECORDS IN THOSE LIFTS IF THE PROPER OFFICIALS ARE JUDGING THE EVENT AND THE LIFTER HAS SECURED THE PERMISSION OF THE MEET DIRECTOR. THIS IS ONLY ALLOWED FOR THE LIFTER WHO IS ATTEMPTING TO SET A RECORD OF SOME SORT (NOT PERSONAL BEST ATTEMPTS)