I.P.F. TECHNICAL RULES
With Maryland State Powerlifting Association Annotations
Part 1.
GENERAL RULES OF POWERLIFTING
Throughout this rule book, wherever the words "he" or "his" occur, such reference
is deemed to apply to either sex.
1. (a) The International Powerlifting Federation recognizes the following
lifts which must be taken in the same sequence in all competitions conducted
under the IPF rules:
A.Squat B.Bench Press C.Dead Lift D.Total
(b) Competition takes place between lifters in categories defined by sex,
bodyweight and age.The Men's and Women's Open Championships permit lifters
of any age in excess of 14 years.
(c) The rules apply to all levels of competition whether it be World, Regional,
International or any competition that states that it is conducted under IPF
rules.
(d) Each competitor is allowed three attempts on each lift. Any exceptions
are explained in the appropriate section of the rule book. The lifter's best
valid attempt on each lift,disregarding any fourth attempts for record
purposes,counts toward his competition total. The winner of a category shall
be the lifter who achieves the highest total.The remaining lifters shall
be ranked in descending order of total.
Lifters failing to achieve a total are eliminated from the competition.
If two or more lifters achieve the same total, the lighter lifter ranks above
the heavier lifter.
2. The IPF through is member federations conducts and sanctions the following
World Championships:
Men's Open World Championships
Women's Open World Championships
Men's and Women's Combined Junior World Championships
Men's and Women's Combined Master's World Championships
Bench Press World Championships
* The MSPA conducts and/or sanctions and maintains
records for the following State Championships:
Men's & Women's Seniors
Men's & Women's Juniors
Men's & Women's Collegiates
Men's & Women's Masters
Men's & Women's Benchpress
Men's & Women's Deadlift
3. The IPF also recognizes and registers world records for the same lifts
within the categories described hereunder:
Age Categories
Men - Senior:from 14 years upwards (no category restrictions need apply).
Junior:from 14 years to and including 23 years of age.
Master I: from 40 years to and including 49 years of age.
Master II: from 50 years upwards.
Women - Senior: from 14 years upwards (no category restriction need apply).
Junior:from 14 years to and including 23 years of age.
Master:from 40 years upwards.
Competitive lifting shall be restricted to competitors aged 14 years and
over.The lifter must have attained minimum age on the day of the competition
where age limits are imposed. A lifter may remain in the Junior category
throughout the full calendar year in which he reaches the stated upper limit
of that category.
Age grouping for Masters is determined by their actual birth date.
Men over 60 years of age competing in the "from 50 years upwards " and women
over 50 years of age competing in the "from 40 years of age" categories shall
be eligible for 1st., 2nd., and 3rd. place medals based upon their
Schwartz/Malone formula points. This will not affect the competition point
scoring system of their placings within the 50 years upwards category for
men of the 40 years upwards category for women.
Age categories and their further subdivision may be adapted for use nationally
at the discretion of the national federation.
* The MSPA recognizes and registers state records
for the age categories for both men & wodmen described hereunder:
SENIOR: from 14 years upwards (no category restrictions).
JUNIOR: 14-15, 16-17, 18-19, 20-23 years of age.
SUB-MASTER: 35-39 years of age.
MASTER: 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-59, 70-74, 75-79, 80 years
and upwards.
* at competitions sanctioned by the MSPA age grouping for JUNIORS
is determined by their actual birth date.
* At any competition having age qualifications proof of age shall be
required.
Bodyweight Categories
Men
-52.0 kg Class up to 52.0 kg.
56.0 kg class from 52.01 to 56.0 kg.
60.0 kg class from 56.01 to 60.0 kg.
67.5 kg class from 60.01 to 67.5 kg.
75.0 kg class from 67.51 to 75.0 kg.
82.5 kg class from 75.01 to 82.5 kg.
90.0 kg class from 82.51 to 90.0 kg.
100.0 kg class from 90.01 to 100.0 kg.
110.0 kg class from 100.01 to 110.0 kg.
125.0 kg class from 110.01 to 125.0 kg.
125.0+kg class from 125.01 to unlimited.
Women
-44.0 kg Class up to 44.0 kg.
48.0 kg class from 44.01 to 48.0 kg.
52.0 kg class from 48.01 to 52.0 kg.
56.0 kg class from 52.01 to 56.0 kg.
60.0 kg class from 56.01 to 60.0 kg.
67.5 kg class from 60.01 to 67.5 kg.
75.0 kg class from 67.51 to 75.0 kg.
82.5 kg class from 75.01 to 82.5 kg.
90.0 kg class from 82.51 to 90.0 kg.
90.0+kg class from 90.01 to unlimited.
4. Each nation is allowed a maximum of eleven competitors spread throughout
the range of the eleven bodyweight categories for men and ten competitors
throughout the range of ten bodyweight categories for women.There must not
be more than two competitors from any one nation in any particular bodyweight
category.
However, women masters may be entered to a maximum of nine competitors spread
throughout the three combined bodyweight categories of 44-52kg, 56-67.5 kg,
and 75-90+kg. Not more than three competitors from any one nation in any
particular combined bodyweight category.
5. Each nation is allowed a maximum of two alternates or reserves.These
alternates or reserves may be substituted at any time prior to the commencement
of the weight in for aparticular bodyweight category.Each nation must submit
a team roster giving the name of each lifter, bodyweight category and best
total achieved at national or international level during the previous twelve
months.The date and title of the competition in which the best total was
achieved must also be stated.
These details must be submitted to the responsible official prior to the
commencement of the weigh in for the lowest weight category, i.e. 52.0 kg
for men and 44.0 kg for women. The names of the alternates or reserves with
their bodyweight categories and best totals must also be submitted at this
time.
at all competitions sanctioned by the MSPA, a final team list of lifters,
including the optional two alternates, shall be given to the meet director
before the very first weigh in session begins. No new names may be added
to this list(roster) after the weigh in has started. registration of a team
may be accomplished at the venue, provided that it is completed prior
to the begining of the first weigh in.
6. Point scoring for all World, Continental and Regional Championships shall
be:12, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, for the first nine placings in any bodyweight
category.Thereafter, each lifter who makes a total in the competition shall
be awarded 1 point.Point scoring for all national competitions shall be at
the discretion of the national federation..
.
7. Only the point scores of the six best placed lifters of each nation will
be counted for the team competition at all international championships.In
the case of a tie in points scored, final team placings shall be decided
as described for team awards in item 10..
.
8. Any nation having been a member of the IPF for more than three years should
endeavour to include at least one international referee among its team officials
at world championships.If a referee from that nation is not present or, if
present, does not officiate during the championships, then only the four
best placed lifters from that nation will be counted for the team
competition..
.
9. Teams shall be nominated to the Secretary of the IPF or Region and also
the Meet Director at least 21 days before the date of the championships.
Failure to comply with this requirement may result in disqualification of
the offending team..
.
10. Team awards shall be given to the first three places.In the case of a
tie in the classification of a team or a nation, the team having the largest
number of first places will be ranked first.In the case of a tie between
two nations having the same number of first places, the one having the most
second places will be classified first, and so on through the placings of
the six scoring lifters.
Point scoring at MSPA CHAMPIONSHIPS shall be 12, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4,
3, 2, 1, for the first eleven placing on a team.
At MSPA Junior & Masters competitions the maximum number of team members shall be as outlined in #4 and #5(above)
(1) The Foster Formula will be used to determine
scoring within the entire weight
class.
(2) There will be no change in age bracket
placings.
Example: a competitor who has completed the contest
and is the only competitor in
an age/weight division will be placed first
within that division. However when that
competitor's Foster Formula Total is compared
with the totals of the entire weight
class his total may be lower than
first place, thus earning fewer team points.
(3) Lifters not on a team will not receive team
points.
Example: a lifter places 2nd but is not on a team, the
2nd place points would go to
the lifter next in line if he is on a
team.
(4) Only the top six lifters on a Master's team may score points.
(5) In Junior competitions the maximum number of team lifters will sore points.
Team awards shall be givin to at least the first three places at MSPA meets. In case of a tie in the classification of a team. The team having the largest number of first places shall be ranked first. In case of a tie between two teams having the same number of first places, the one having the most second places shall be calssified first, and so on throught the 11 positions (men's teams) or 10 positions (women's teams). In a meet having qualifying totals, a lifter must post the minimum qualifying total in order to score team points.
* PERMITTED USE OF POUND WEIGHTS
In special circumstances (with prior approval of the MSPA) sanctioned meets
may be conducted with pound weights instead of kilo weights. i.e. where the
meet promoter is unable to secure kilo weights for the competition. NOTE:
the use of pound weights precludes the setting of State
records.