PRIDE POWERLIFTING RULES

 Squat Rules of Performance
 1. The lifter shall assume an upright position with the top of the bar not more than  3 cm (about 1 3/16  inch) below the top of the anterior deltoids. The bar shall be  horizontal across the shoulders with the  hands in contact with the bar. The hands  my touch but not grasp the inside collars, the lifters feet  shall be placed flat on the  platform with knees locked.
 2. After removing bar from rack the lifter shall move backwards (unless a monolift  type device is used,  in which the lifters need only to stand erect) to establish the  starting position. The lifter shall await  the head judge's signal to start. The signal  shall begin as soon as the lifter is motionless with  knees locked, and the bar  properly positioned. The signal shall consist of an obvious downward  movement of the hand/arm and the audible command "Squat!" Prior to the signal, the lifter  may  make adjustments within the rules without penalty.
 3. Upon receiving the signal the lifter must bend the knees and lower the body until  the top surface of  the legs at the hip joint are lower than the top of the knees. Only one descent attempt is allowed.
 4. The lifter shall recover at will from the deepest point of the squat to and upright  position with knees  locked. Although stopping is permitted, double bouncing or  downward movement is not permitted  once upward motion has started. When the  bar is motionless, the head judge will give the signal to  replace the bar when the  lifter is in the apparent final position is best determined by the head judge  (even if  the final position is not correct according to the rules). The signal to replace
 the bar shall consist of an obvious backward motion of the hand/arm and the  audible command “ "Rack!"”
 5. Upon receiving the "Rack!" signal the lifter shall make a bona fide attempt to  return the bar to  the  racks. This is defined as one step forwards the racks. The lifter  may request aid to rack the bar.
 6. The lifter shall face the front of the platform.
 7. The lifter shall not hold the collars, sleeves or plates at any time during the lift.
 8. Not more than five nor fewer than two spotters shall be on the platform at  anytime. Designated  spotters may not be replaced unless approved by the head judge.
 9. The lifter may enlist the aid of the spotters in removing the bar from the racks; however once the  bar has cleared the racks, the lifter shall receive no further assistance.
 10. All lifters must adhere to the specification listed in the Lifting Attire Section.
 
 Causes for Disqualification
 1. Failure to wait for Head Judge's signal at the commencement or completion to lift.
 2. Laterally changing positions of the hands on the bar after receiving the signal to commence the lift.  Opening and closing fingers is allowed.
 3. Double bouncing is more than one recovery attempt at the bottom of the squat.
 4. Failure to assume an upright position with knees locked at the start and  completion of the squat.
 5. Any shifting of the feet laterally or stepping forwards or backwards during the performance of the lift.  The toes may come up and/or the heels may come up off the  platform but must return to the same  position.
 6. Failure to achieve proper depth.
 7. Changing the position of the bar across the shoulders after the start of the lift.  This implies the  intentional or unintentional rolling of the bar to aid performance of  the lift. It does not apply to a  minute amount of position change which will not aid  the lifter.
 8. Contact with the bar, lifter, or plates, by the spotters between judge's signals.
 9. Touching the elbows or upper arms to the legs during the squat.
 10. Failure to make a bona fide attempt to return the bar to the rack.
 11. Any intentional dumping or dropping of the bar as determined by a majority of  the judges.
 Bench Press Rules of Performance
 1. The front of the bench must be placed on the platform facing the head judge so  that the uprights  are closest to him/her.
 2. The lifter must lie on his/her back so that the shoulders(upper back area), and  buttocks are in  contact with the bench surface. Head can lift or move without  penalty and foot position is arbitrary as  long as the start position of the foot is maintained throughout the entire lift.
 3. To achieve firm footing the lifter may use plates or blocks not exceeding 45 cm x  45 cm (about 17  ¾ x 17 ¾ inches) with shoe flat on the surface and within the  boundary of the plates/blocks.
 4. Not more than 4 or fewer than 2 spotters shall be on the platform at anytime.  The lifter may enlist  the help of the spotter, coach or "lift off person" in removing the bar  from the racks. This lift-off or self  take-off must be at arms length, not down to the chest.
 5. The spacing of the hands shall not exceed 81 cm (31 7/8 inches) measured  between the  forefingers. Reverse grip is not allowed.
 6. After receiving the bar at arms length, the lifter shall lower it to the chest and await the head  judge's signal. There is no command to begin the lift once the bar is declared loaded.
 7. When the bar is motionless on the chest, the head judge will call out "Press!"” A touch command  will be used for any lifters with hearing issues.
 8. After the "Press" command has been given, the bar is pressed upward to straight arms length,  elbows locked out, and held motionless until the "Rack!" command is given. Elevation of the bar need  not be equal throughout the entire lift but lock out of both arms must be simultaneously.
 9. The bar is allowed to stop during the upward motion but is not allowed during any downward  movement. Downward movement refers to that portion of the bar under and between the hands only,
 and not to that portion between the outside edge of the hand and the end or the  bar.
 10. The hand off must be from the center of the bar, not from the ends of the bar.
 
 Causes for Disqualification
 1. Failure to observe the signals (Press and Rack) at the start and completion of the lift.
 2. Any change in the elected lifting position once the bar has been unracked, that is any raising of  the shoulders (upper back are), buttocks, or feet from their original positions. Lateral movement of the  hands is not allowed.
 3. Heavy, bouncing, any downward movement of the bar or allowing bar to sink into the chest after the  "Press" command has been given is not allowed.
 4. Any uneven extension of the bar at the lockout.
 5. The bar may stop during the lift, however, if downward movement occurs, the head judge will  immediately give the "Rack" ”sign for safety concerns.
 6. Any downward movement of either hand or the bar during the lift.
 7. The contact of the bar by the spotters between signals.
 8. Contact of the lifters feet with the bench or its supports.
 9. Deliberate contact between the bar and the upright during the lift, which could  make the lift easier.
 Deadlift Rules of Performance
 1. The bar shall be laid horizontally in front of the lifter's feet, gripped with an optional grip in both  hands, and lifted until the lifter is standing erect with knees locked. Start of the lift is at the lifter's  option; there is no head judge's signal to begin. The bar may stop on ascent but no downward  movement is allowed.
 2. The lifter shall face the front of the platform.
 3. On completion of the lift, the knees shall be locked in a straight position and the shoulders held in  a erect position (not forward or rounded). Shoulders do not have to thrust back past an erect position.  If they are thrust back in that manner and all other criteria are acceptable, the lift is good.
 4. The head judge's signal at the end of the lift shall consist of an obvious downward movement of  hand/arm and the audible command "Down!".” The signa will be given when the bar is held  motionless and the lifter is in the apparent  finished position.
 5. ANY raising of the bar from the platform of any deliberate attempt to do so count as an attempt.
 6. The bar may be rolled forward/back or repositioned prior to the pull.
 
  Causes for Disqualification:
 1. Any downward movement of the bar during the lift. The bar may stop but may not descend before  continuing upward.
 2. Failure to stand erect with the shoulders in an erect position.
 3. Failure to lock the knees straight at the completion of lift.
 4. Supporting the bar on the thigh during the lift. As the bar is lifted, the knees must continually  extend without additional flexion of the knees at any time during the lift.
 5. Any lateral movement of the feet, stepping backward or forward during the lift.  The heels and toes  may come up but must return to original position.
 6. Lowering the bar before the signal is given to do so.
 7. Allowing the bar to return without maintaining control with both hands. Some noise and impact is  expected, but dropping the bar or obvious lack of control is not allowed. The bar must be controlled to  prevent free fall.
 RAW Lifting Attire
 1) All lifters must wear a singlet.  The singlet must fit snug and be non-supportive.  The straps must  be worn over the shoulders during the performance of lifts during competition.
 2) Lifters may wear a t-shirt, tank top or compression shirt under the singlet but it must be neatly
 tucked into the singlet.
 3) No supportive shirts or shorts may be worn. This includes any shirts or shorts made from a  rubberized material or neoprene. Under Armor and compression wear is okay.
 4) Leather belts (worn over the singlet), wrist wraps and knee wraps are permitted only.
 5) All under garments and briefs must be non-supportive.
 6) No lifting gloves permitted or elbow sleeves. 
 7) Lifters must wear shoes.
 Equipped Lifting Attire

 Equipped Bench Press Attire 
1) Bench Shirt – No canvas or 3-ply shirts are allowed. Denim and polyester are okay.  Double  thickness is allowed for some brands, see complete list below.  Supportive patches in the chest area  or front deltoid area or arm area are not allowed. Sleeves cannot cover the elbow. Velcro straps are  allowed on back and on the arms. If a lifter chooses to use a shirt  that opens in the back, the Velcro  straps must be secured and the neckline may NOT be cut. Cut necks even if reattached are NOT  allowed. Split neck shirts are not approved even if they are sewn back together or patches are sewn  across the back of the neck. Any shirt that has been altered from its original design will not be  approved (i.e. The neck is enlarged or patches  that are obviously reinforcing are added). Small  patches to fix small tears will be okay. No "super-neck, crazy-neck, or Rychlack-neck" allowed.   Only standard ¾ inch  neck allowed.  No zigzag stitching allowed on any shirt.  
 2) Belt – Must not exceed 10 cm. in width and the maximum thickness will be no more than 13 mm.   Belt must be worn on the outside of lifting attire.
 3) Wrist Wraps – Must not exceed one meter in length and 8 cm. in width. Thumb loop is okay. Wrist  wraps cannot be on the palm where they would come in contact with the bar. 
 4) Singlets must be worn and may not be excessively loose. Straps need to be up.
 5) Equipment will be checked during weigh-ins and again by a platform judge if seemingly  questionable. No support tape on arms, wrists, legs, or chest.
 6) T-shirts cannot be worn under a bench shirt; however, a sports bra for women is okay.
 7) Elbow sleeves, pads, and wraps are not allowed. 
 8) Caps and any head covering are allowed.
 9) No reverse grip is allowed (Reverse grip is benching with the palms facing up  with thumbs on the  outside).
 10) No stickum spray is allowed on the bench or on the lifting attire. Chalk will be available in the  warm-up area and by the platform.
 
 Equipped Division Approved Bench Shirts
 NOTE:  If your bench shirt is not on this list, you will compete in the Unlimited Division.
 Inzer Advanced Designs:  Single or Double Ply (unless noted) / regular neck, regular or  radical cut, with or without  Velcro closures on back, ONLY closed neck across the  back of  shirt allowed. Approved Inzer Shirts: Blast Shirt,  Heavy Duty Blast Shirt (HD), High Performance  Heavy Duty Blast Shirt (HPHD), Extra High Performance Heavy Duty Blast  Shirt (EHPHD), ·Phenom Shirt, Denim Shirt (Blue or Black denim ONLY), Rage Shirt (Single Ply ONLY), Rage-X  Shirt (Single  Ply ONLY)
 Titan Support Systems:  Single or Double Ply (unless noted), only closed neck across the back of  shirt allowed. Approved Titan Shirts: Fury Shirt, Titan F6 Shirt, Titan Katana Shirt (Single Ply  ONLY) 
 Karin Klein: Grid & Cross stitching are not approved. Single or Double Ply, ONLY closed neck  across the back of shirt allowed. Approved Klein Shirts: Denim and Generation II Denim  
 Metal: Single Ply only, only closed neck across the back of shirt allowed. Approved Metal Shirts:
·IPF Bencher, ·IPF Viking Bencher, IPF Viking Bencher X-Type, IPF Viking Presser Bencher, IPF  King Presser, IPF King X-Type Bencher, IPF King Bencher, Metal Bash Single Ply Bencher

 Equipped Deadlift & Squat Attire
 1) Single or Double Deadlift and Squat suits are allowed. See complete list of approved suits below.
 2) Belt – Must not exceed 10 cm. In width and the maximum thickness will be no more than 13 mm. 
 3) Knee Wraps – not to exceed 2 meters (6' 6”) in length and 8 cm (3”) in width. A knee wrap shall  not extend beyond 15 cm (6”) above or below the center of the knee joint for a maximum of 30 cm  (approximately 12 “) in both directions. Alternately, an elasticized kneecap supporter not exceeding  20 cm. (8”) in length may be worn. A combination of the two is not allowed.  
 4) Double thickness groove briefs and erector shirts are allowed. 
 5) Shoes – any type of non-cleat shoes are allowed, including dead lift slippers. However, thongs or  open-air slippers or barefoot are not allowed. 
 6) Wrist Wraps – not to exceed one meter in length and 8 cm. in width 
 7) Equipment will be checked by same protocol as in the bench.
 8) Caps and any head covering are allowed. A T-shirt may be worn under the suit.
 9) Deadlift suits may be pulled up, but not rolled up.
 10) Power pants are NOT allowed.

 Equipped Division Approved Suits
  Approved Inzer Suits (velcro straps okay): ·Champion Suit, Z-Suit, Hardcore Suit, TRX,  Max DL  Suit, Fusion Suit, Erector Shirt, Heavy Duty Inzer Erector Shirt, Groove Briefs, Heavy  Duty  Groove Briefs.
  Titan Support Systems: Single ply or double ply, shoulder Velcro adjustable straps
 are allowed. Approved Tital Suits: Superior Suit, Centurion Suit, Deadlift Suit (Conventional  or Sumo)
 Metal:  Single ply or double ply, shoulder Velcro adjustable straps are allowed.
·Approved Metal Suits: IPF Squatter, IPF King Squatter, IPF King Squatter V-Type, IPF V-Type  Squatter, IPF Viking Squatter, IPF Viking V-Type Squatter, IPF Dead lifter, IPF King Dead lifter,
·IPF King Sumo Dead lifter, IPF Viking Dead lifter, Pro Dead lifter, King Pro Dead lifter
 Approved Marathon Suits:  Single ply or double ply. Super Suit (Squat), Gold Medal Suit, Deadlift  Super Suit
 Unlimited Lifting Attire
 Bench shirts not approved in the Equipped Division will fall under the Unlimited Division.
 Weigh-in Procedure
 NOTE:  Pride Powerlifting conducts strict weigh-ins.  Nobody is allowed to slide, not even an  ounce.  The weight specified on the scale is the weight used.  No allowance or approximations  are made for clothing, etc. If you feel that you may not make the weight class you specified on  your entry form, contact the promoter as soon as possible so that the awards are not  jeopardized.  If you do not make weight the day before you may weigh-in again in the  morning.
 1. Weighing-in of competitors may take place 24 hours before the start of  competition if so  designated on the entry and decided by the Meet Director.
 2. On the day of the meet, the weighing in of competitors will be conducted the morning prior to the  start of competition.
 3  In all completions, lifters will have the opportunity to be weighed-in by a same sex official.
 4. Handicapped lifters using an artificial limb in competition must weigh in with that limb.
 5. Each lifter should be weighed only once. If a lifter does not make weight, the lifter may be  reweighed until weight is made.
 6. A lifter who is too heavy may move up into the next higher weight class and a lifter who weighs in  lighter than the weight class he or she entered may compete in the lighter weight class.
 7. If 2 lifters make the same total at the same bodyweight, they shall be weighed.
  If they reweigh the same, they shall both share the placing and no award shall be given to the next in  line. Should they reweigh at different body weights, the lighter lifter shall be awarded the higher place.
 8. The lifters should check squat and bench rack heights and foot blocks prior to weigh-in and have  this information marked on their weigh-in/score card.
 9. A lifter must always compete in the same weight class he/she made weight in.
 10. All weigh-ins will be conducted using a digital scale.


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