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Rules for 2026-2027 Season

General Rules 

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1. T-shirts and shorts are legal to compete in.

  • T-Shirts must have sleeves and be tucked into your shorts. Shorts must not touch knee wraps if wearing them. 

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2. *TEAM UNIFORMS* (New 2026/2027 year): Athletes must compete in team uniform. Athletes are required to wear a shirt with their high school name and color on it.

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3. Athletes may NOT attend meets without a coach present.

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4. Shoes are mandatory. Knee high socks are mandatory for deadlift ONLY.

 

5. No headgear (hats, headbands, headphones etc)

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6.  No Jewelry (for permanent jewelry please contact the meet director in advance)

 

7. All belts, knee sleeves, and wrist wraps are acceptable.

  •  No use of athletic tape to support joints.

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8. When using wrist wraps the thumb loop must be off

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9. Sportsmanship is incredibly important! Watch your entire flight, do not leave the platform.  No swearing, no cussing on the platform.

  • May result in athletes and coaches being disqualified.

 

10. Changing opening lifts must be done five minutes prior to the start of each flight.

  • The only exception is the third deadlift attempt which may be changed only once and may only be increased. Must be done three lifters out.

 

11. Lifters must stay with the bar in all lifts. No dumping or dropping the bar. This will lead to disqualification.

 

12. No baby powder can be used. There will be spray bottles for deadlift. Only athletes and coaches are allowed behind the platform in the seating area.

 

13. Enter attempts at the table in a timely manner. Failure to do so will result in an automatic 5lbs increase.

 

14. Failure to complete one attempt on any of the lifts will result in disqualification and the lifter will not be allowed to continue to compete.

 

15 DOTS score will be used to determine the best lifter awards.

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Squat Rules 

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  1. Once the bar is loaded, the lifter has one minute to start the lift. 

  2. Two commands on squat (Audio and Visual): Squat and rack. 

  3. Once the lifter has unracked the bar and their knees are locked they will get the squat command. 

  4. From there a lifter must squat to depth and stand back up, finishing in the upright position with knees locked and wait until they get the rack command. 

  5. Squat Depth: 

    • See Diagram A 

    • On a continual descent, the top of the surface of the leg at the hip joint must break parallel to the top of the knee.

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Squat Disqualifications: 

  1. Double bouncing (recovery) or downward motion is not permitted 

  2. Failure to observe the referee’s signals or commands 

  3. Obvious foot displacement once the squat command is given.

    1.  Rocking of the feet between the balls and heels is permitted. 

  4. Dumping of the bar.

Bench Rules 

  1. The lifter will be given three commands: START,  PRESS, and RACK. 

  2. Once the lifter has lifted the bar out of the rack and their elbows are locked out they will receive the START command. 

  3. The bar must be lowered to touch the chest. 

  4. Once the bar is motionless on the chest the lifter will get the PRESS command. 

  5. After the PRESS command the feet must stay in contact with the floor (flat on the floor) sliding of the feet is permitted but no obvious foot displacement (lifting of the foot from the ground) 

  6. The butt and shoulders must stay in contact with the bench at all times. 

  7. The bar must lock out evenly. The bar can’t drastically lock out one arm and then the other. 

  8. Once both elbows are locked out the lifter will get the RACK command.

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Bench Disqualifies: 

  1. Failure to observe an of the referee’s commands (3)

  2. Lifting of the butt or feet 

  3. After the PRESS command is given there can be no downward motion, no heaving. 

  4. Uneven lock out

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Deadlift Rules 

  1. The lifter will be given one command (audio and visual): DOWN 

  2. The lifter may begin the lift at any time one the bar has been loaded 

  3. The lifter must stand erect with the knees and shoulder locked until receiving the DOWN command.

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Deadlift Disqualifications: 

  1. Any downward movement of the bar during the positive portion of the lift 

  2. Failure to lock out or soft lockouts 

  3. No supporting the bar on the thigh (shelving or hitching) 

  4. No foot displacement (stepping forward or backwards) 

  5. Failure to wait for the DOWN command from the referee 

  6. Failure to maintain control of the bar or intentional dropping of the bar.

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