Weightlifting Rules

Three referees judge each lift - a head referee who sits directly in front of the platform and two side referees. Each referee controls a red light and a white light. White indicates a good lift, red an illegal lift. Majority rules when the officials disagree. The activation of two like signals will set off a horn, or "down" signal, telling the lifter to lower the barbell. The "down" signal may be activated prior to the conclusion of a lift, rendering the lift invalid if two referees observe an error.

1. The technique known as "hooking" is permitted. It consists of covering the last joint of the thumb with the other fingers of the same hand at the moment of gripping.

2. In all lifts, pulling from the "hang" is forbidden.

3. In all lifts, touching the bar against the legs shall not render the lift "No Lift."

4. In all lifts, the referee must count as "No Lift" any unfinished attempt in which the bar has arrived at the height of the knees.

5. In all lifts, if the bar stops in its upward path before arriving at the shoulders (clean) or arms' length (snatch and jerk) it shall render the attempt "No Lift."

6. The use of grease, water or any similar lubricant of any kind on the thighs is forbidden. The lifter who uses lubricants will be ordered to remove them. During the removal the clock will run.

7. In all lifts, touching the platform with any part of the body other than the feet shall render the attempt "No Lift."

8. Any clean in which the bar is placed on the chest before the turning over of the elbows shall render the attempt "No Lift."

9. Any clean touching the thighs or knees with the elbows or upper arms shall render the attempt "No Lift."

10. In the jerk, any apparent effort from the shoulders, if the lift is not completed, must be counted as "No Lift." This includes lowering the body or bending the knees.

11. After the referees' signal to replace the bar on the platform, the lifter must lower the bar and not let it drop either deliberately or accidentally. The lifter may release his grip when the barbell has passed below the level of the waist.

12. If a competitor cannot fully stretch his arm resulting from anatomical deformation of his elbows he must report this fact to the three referees and the jury before the beginning of the competition.

 

Weightlifting Terminology

Bomb: A lifter "bombs" when he fails to record a total. An athlete has three chances to make a successful lift in both the snatch and clean-and-jerk. If he fails to make a valid lift in either of the two lifts, he will not total and has therefore bombed.

Hooking: Hooking is a technique used to hold the bar. A hook grip is when thumbs are placed around the bar and underneath the index and second fingers.

Kilogram: Weight in the sport of weightlifting is measured in kilograms. One kilogram equals 2.2046 pounds.

Six for Six: This refers to a lifter making six valid lifts in six attempts - three successful snatches and three successful clean-and-jerks.

Press Out: This happens when an athlete bends his arms while holding the bar overhead and then presses out to make them straight.

Touching the Platform: A lifter may touch the ground with his feet, but no other part of the body is allowed to touch the platform.

Show Control: A lifter must have the bar under complete control prior to the down signal.

Elbow Touch: Touching the arm or elbow on the knee or leg is not allowed during the clean.