I.P.F. TECHNICAL RULES

(b) Where 10 or more lifters are competing in a session, groups may be formed consisting of approximately equal numbers of lifters. However, groups must be formed when 15 or more lifters are competing in the same session. A session can be composed of a single bodyweight category or any combination of bodyweight categories at the discretion of the organizer for purpose of presentation.
(c) Grouping shall be determined by examining the lifters' best totals achieved at national or international level during the previous twelve months. The lifters with the lowest totals will form the first group to lift with progressively higher totals forming further groups asnecessary. Where a lifter has not provided a total for the previous twelve months, then that lifter shall automatically be placed in the first group to lift.
(d) Each lifter will take his first attempt in the first round, his second attempt in the second round and his third attempt in the third round.
(e) When a group consists of less than 6 lifters, compensatory time allowances shall be added at the end of each round as follows:for 5 lifters add 1 minute; 4 lifters add 2 minutes; 3 lifters add 3 minutes. 3 minutes is the maximum allowance permitted at the end of a round.
(f) The bar must be loaded progressively during each round on the principle of a rising bar. At no time will the weight of the bar be lowered within a round except for errors as described in item (i), and then only at the end of a round.
(g) Lifting order within each round will be determined by the lifter's choice of weight for that round. In the event of two lifters choosing the same weight, the lifter with the lowest lot number drawn at the weigh in, will lift first.
(h) If unsuccessful with an attempt, the lifter does not follow himself, but must wait until the next round before he can attempt that weight again.
(i) If in a round an attempt is unsuccessful due to a wrongly loaded bar or spotter error, the lifter will be granted a further attempt at the correct weight. However, the extra attempt can only be taken at the end of the round in which the error occurred.If the lifter also happened to be the last lifter in the round, he shall be granted a three minute rest prior to making his attempt.
(j) A lifter is permitted one change of weight on the first attempt of each lift. The change of weight may be higher or lower than that originally submitted and the order of lifting in the first round will be changed accordingly. If he is in the first group, this change may take place at any time up to within five minutes before the start of the first round of that lift. The following groups are accorded a similar privilege up to within five attempts from the end of the previous group's last round of that lift. Prior notice of these deadlines shall be announced by the speaker.
(k) A lifter must submit his second and third attempts within one minute of completing his preceding attempt. If no weight is submitted within the one minute time allowance, the lifter will forfeit his next round attempt. If the lifter forfeits a second attempt under this rule, then his third attempt must be submitted within one minute of such forfeiture being declared.
(l) Weights submitted for second round attempts on all three lifts cannot be changed. Similarly third round attempts on the squat and bench press cannot be changed.
(m) In the third round of the dead lift, two weight changes are permitted. The change of weight may be higher or lower than the lifter's previously submitted third attempt. However, these are only permitted provided that the lifter has not been called to the bar already loaded to his previously submitted weight.
(n) In bench press single lift competitions the rules in general are the same as for three lift competitions. However there are two exceptions to this statement. In the third round, two weight changes are permitted as stated in 1(m) above for the deadlift apply equally here. It follows that the attempt card must be as for the normal deadlift attept card in that provisions is made for the two permitted changes on the third attempt.
(o) If a lifting session consists of a single group, i.e. up to a maximum of 14 lifters, an interval of not less than 10 and not exceeding 15 minutes shall be allowed between the lifts. This is to ensure adequate time for warm up and platform organization.
(p) When two or more groups take part in a session upon a single platform, lifting will be organized on a group repetition basis. No time interval will be allowed between rounds other than that necessary for arranging the platform. For example, if there are two groups taking part in a session, the first group will complete all three rounds of the squat. They will be followed immediately by the second group who will complete their three rounds of the squat. The platform will then be set up for the bench press and the first group will complete their three rounds of the bench press, immediately followed by the second group who will similarly complete their three rounds ofthe bench press. The platform will then be set up for the dead lift and the first group will complete their three rounds of the dead lift, immediately followed by the second group who will similarly complete their three rounds of the dead lift. This system thus eliminates any time waste other than that necessary for arranging the platform between the lifts.

2. The organizer will appoint the following officials:
(a) Speaker/Announcer.
(b) Technical Secretary (an international referee preferably fromn the host nation). (c) Time Keeper (preferably a qualified referee).
(d) Marshals/Expeditors (not required when using the round system, an official seated at the administration table will be designated to receive attempts).
(e) Scorers.
(f) Spotter/Loaders.
Additional officials may be appointed as required, i.e.doctors,paramedics, etc.

Responsibilities of the Officials are:
(a) The speaker is responsible for the efficient running ofthe competition. He acts as Master of Ceremonies and arranges the attempts chosen by the lifters in an orderly fashion, dictated by weight and, if necessary, lot number. He announces the weight required for the next attempt and the name of the lifter. When the bar is loaded and the platform cleared for lifting, the Chief Referee will indicate the fact to the speaker, who will in turn announce that the bar is ready and call the lifter by name to the platform.
Attempts announced by the speaker should be displayed upon some form of scoreboard erected in a prominent position.
(b) The technical secretary is responsible for attending the technical meeting prior to the competition and compiling the referee schedules from the names of those referees declared available for duty throughout the competition. He will complete the necessary "Duty Referees and Jury Members" lists for the competition and inform referees of the categories to which they have been allocated. After the technical meeting when final team nominations have been compiled the technical secretary will initiate a score sheet, equipment check sheet, rack height sheet and order of weigh in sheet for each category in the competiton, entering the names of all lifters nominated in that category. He will also make out the speakers competition cards for every lifter in the category. The above paperwork together with an adequate supply of lifters attempt slips will be placed in the appropriate envelope for each bodyweight category in the competiton and handed to the chief referee for that category. The technical secretary will attend each weigh in and advise the duty referees upon procedure and any other matters that may require attention. He should be a qualified international referee, preferably from the host nation and able to deal effectively with any problem that may arise due to language difficulties at the venue. It is the responsibility of the meet director to provide all the necessary blank forms and paperwork to enable the technical secretary to carry out his work.
(c)The time keeper is responsible for accurately recording the time lapse between the announcement that the bar is ready and the lifter starting his attempt. He is also responsible for recording time allowances whenever required, e.g. after an attempt the lifter shall leave the platform within 30 seconds. Once the clock is running for a 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 Chief Referee. Consequently, it is of great importance that the lifter or his coach check the height of the squat racks prior to being called, as once the bar is announced as being ready, the clock will be started. Any further adjustments to the racks must be made within the lifter's one minute 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 this time allowance, the time keeper will call time and the Chief Referee shall give the audible command "rack". The lift will be declared "no lift" and the attempt forfeited. When the lifter starts the lift within the prescribed time allowance, the clock will be stopped. The definition of the start of anattempt depends upon the particular lift being performed. In the squat and the bench press, the start is to coincide with the Chief Referee's commencement signal. Refer to "Referees" item 3. In the dead lift, the start is when the lifter makes a determined attempt to raise the bar.
(d) Marshals/Expeditors are responsible for collecting the weight of required attempts from the lifters or their coaches and passing the information without delay to the speaker. The lifter is allowed one minute between completing his last attempt and informing the speaker, via the marshal, of the weight required for his next attempt.
(e) Scorers are responsible for accurately recording the progress of the competition, and on completion, ensuring that the three referees sign the official score sheets, record certificates or any other document requiring signatures.
(f) Spotter/Loaders are responsible for loading and unloading the bar, adjusting squat racks and benches as required, cleaning the bar or platform at the request of the Chief Referee, and generally ensuring that the platform is well maintained and presents a neat and tidy appearance at all times. At no time shall there be less than two or more than five spotter/loaders on the platform.
When the lifter prepares for his attempt, the spotter/loaders may assist him in removing the bar from the racks. They may also assist in replacing the bar after the attempt. However, they shall not touch the lifter or the bar during the actual attempt, i.e. during the period of time that elapses between the commencement and completion signals. The only exception to this rule being that if the lift is in jeopardy and likely to result in injury to the lifter, the spotter/loaders may, either at the request of the Chief Referee or the lifter himself, step in and relieve the lifter of the bar.If the lifter is deprived of an otherwise successful attempt by the error of a spotter/loader and through no fault of his own, he may be awarded another attempt at the discretion of the referees at the end of the round.

3. Application for participation at a World or Regional Championships must include the lifter's best total, with date and competition where performed, during the past 12 months. Only totals achieved at International or National Championships will be considered.

4. During any competition taking place on a platform or stage, only the lifter and his coach, members of the Jury, officiating referees and spotter/loaders will be allowed around the platform or on the stage. During the execution of a lift, only the lifter, spotter/loaders and the referees are permitted to be present on the platform. Coaches shall remain within the designated coaching area as defined by the Jury or technical officer in charge.

5. A lifter shall not wrap or adjust his costume within the vicinity of the platform. The only exception to this rule is that he may adjust his belt.

6. In international matches between two lifters or two nations contested in different bodyweight categories, the lifters may alternate irrespective of weight required for the attempts. The lifter requiring the lighest weight in his initial lift shall lift first and thereby set the order for the alternate attempts throughout that particular lift.

7. In IPF recognized competitions, the weight of the barbell must always be a multiple of 2.5 kg. The progression must be at least 2.5 kg between all attempts. The weight shall be announced in kilograms.
Exceptions to this rule:
(a) In a record attempt the weight of the barbell must 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.
(b) During the course of competition a lifter may request a record attempt that is not a multiple of 2.5 kg but is to be attempted within his prescribed attempts. If the attempt is successful, then only the lower closest multiple of 2.5 kg will be recorded on the score sheet, the exact weight will appear on the record application. For example if 333 kg is requested for a squat lift on the lifter's second attempt and the lift is successful, then 332.5 kg will be entered on the score sheet and 333 kg will be entered on the record application.
(c) Record attempts may be taken on any or all of a lifter's prescribed attempts provided that he maintains a minimum increase of 500 grams. For example if the current record is 100 kg, then a lifter may take the following attempts: 1st - 100.0kg, 2nd - 101.0kg, 3rd - 101.5kg, 4th - 102 kg. Attempts 2, 3, and 4 if successful will all be records irrespective of the fact that he did not increase the weight for competition purposes from 100 kg.

8. The Chief Referee will be solely responsible for decisions taken in the case of loading errors or incorrect announcements by the speaker. His decision will be given to the speaker who will make the appropriate announcement.
Examples of Errors in Loading
(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 originally requested weight. If the attempt is not successful, the lifter will be granted a further attempt at the originally requested weight. In both the above cases, further attempts may only be taken at the end of the round in which the error occurred.
(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 for other lifters. If the attempt is not successful, the lifter will be granted afurther attempt at the originally requested weight at the end of the round in which the error occurred.
(c) If the loading is not the same on each end of the bar; or any change occurs to the bar or discs during the execution of the lift; or the platform is disarranged, if despite these factors, the lift is successful, the lifter may accept the attempt or elect to take the attempt again. If the successful attempt is not a multiple of 2.5 kg, then the lower closest multiple of 2.5 kg will be recorded on the score sheet. If the attempt is unsuccessful, thelifter will be granted a further attempt. Further attempts may only be taken at the end of the round inwhich the error occurred.
(d) If the speaker makes a mistake by announcing a weight lighter or heavier than that requested by the lifter, the Chief Referee will make the same decisions as for errors in loading.
(e) If for any reason it is not possible for the lifter or his coach to remain in the vicinity of the platform in order to follow the progress of the competition and the lifter misses his attempt because the speaker omitted to announce him at the appropriate weight, then the weight will be reduced as necessary and the lifter allowed to take his attempt, but only at the end of the round.

9. Three unsuccessful attempts in any lift will automatically eliminate the lifter from the competition.

10. Other than initial removal of the bar from the racks, the lifter will not receive any help from the spotter/loaders in positioning himself for an attempt.

11. On the completion of an attempt, a lifter shall leave the platform within thirty seconds. Failure to comply with this rule may result in disqualification of the attempt at the discretion of the referees.

12. If, during warm up or competition, a lifter suffers injury or in any other way exhibits signs of a condition which may unduly or significantly jeopardize the competitor's health and well-being, the official doctor has the right to examination. If the doctor considers it inadvisable for the lifter to continue, he may, in consultation with the Jury, insist upon the lifter retiring from the competition. The team manager or coach must be officially informed of such a decision.

13. Any lifter or coach, who by reason of his misconduct upon or near the competition platform is likely to discredit the sport, shall be officially warned. If the misconduct continues, the Jury, or referees in the absence of a Jury, may disqualify the lifter and order the coach to leave the venue. The team manager must be officially informed of both the warning and disqualification.

14. In international competition, all appeals against referee's decisions, complaints regarding the progress of the competition or against the behaviour of any person or persons taking part in the competition must be made to the Jury. The Jury may require the appeal to be made in writing.The appeal or complaint must be lodged with the Chairman of the Jury by the team manager, or in his absence, by the team coach. This must be done immediately following the action upon which the appeal or complaint is based.
If deemed necessary, the Jury may temporarily suspend the progress of the competition and retire to consider its verdict. After due consideration and upon reaching a majority verdict, the Jury will return and the Chairman will inform the complainant of its decision. The Jury's verdict will be considered final and there will be no right of appeal to any other body.
Upon recommencement of the competition which has been suspended, the next lifter shall be given three minutes in which to commence his lift.
In the event of a complaint being made against a lifting member or official of an opposing team, the written complaint shall be accompanied by the cash sum of GB50 or its equivalent in any currency. Should the Jury in its verdict consider that the complaint is of a frivolous or mischievous nature, then the whole or any portion of the said sum may be retained and donated to the IPF at the discretion of the Jury.