Official Professional Raw Powerlifting Association Rules



THE POWERLIFTS AND THE RULES OF PERFORMANCE

Let it be known that all PRPA Officials interpretations of the Rules Performance for the Squat, Bench and Deadlift, are always done with the safety and welfare of the lifters, spotter/loaders and judges in mind.


SQUAT

RULES OF PERFORMANCE

After the Chief Referee signals that the bar is loaded, the lifter has one minute to get to the platform and remove the weight from the squat racks. After the lifter assumes a ready position and signals the Chief Referee that he is ready, he may then receive the visual and verbal command to initiate the lift- “Squat”.

The lifter shall always assume an upright position with the knees locked and the bar not more than 1 inch below the top of the anterior deltoids. The bar should be horizontal across the shoulders with both hands in contact with the bar, feet flat on the floor.

After removing the bar from the racks the lifter shall move backwards and establish a position without the aid of the spotters to begin the execution of the squat. The lifter will not be given the visual and verbal command to start the execution of the lift until the lifter is motionless, erect with knees locked, and the bar properly positioned on the lifters shoulders. No red light shall be given by a Head Judge for not having knees locked at the beginning of the lift if this infraction is not supported by a signal from the side judges.

Upon receiving the commands to start the execution of the squat, the lifter shall bend the knees and lower the body until the lifter has broken parallel where the hip joint has descended below the top of the knee joint. The knees must be locked at the start and the completion of the lift.


The lifter will recover at will and on his own from the bottom position of the squat without double bouncing or letting the bar descend after the initial movement upward. The bar may stop on the way up from the bottom position of the lift, but it may not descend once the upward motion has begun.

The signal to replace the bar shall consist of a backward motion of the referee’s hand and the verbal command “rack”. The lifter must make a bona fide attempt to return the bar to the rack. This is defined as one step towards the rack, only after this may the spotters/loaders assist the lifter.

Not more than 5 and not fewer than 3 spotter/loaders shall be on the platform at any time. Designated meet spotters may be replaced or augmented at the discretion of the Head Referee In-Charge or the approval of the Meet Director. NOTE: If the knees cannot be anatomically fully extended, the lifter should inform the referee before the lift. The lifter may ask the spotter/loaders to help him remove the bar from the racks. After that the spotter/loaders may not assist the lifter in any other way in reference to bar position, foot position, etc.

A lifter may be given another attempt with the same weight if a lift or attempt was missed due to an error made by a spotter/loader, failure of platform equipment, or disarrangement the platform. If this situation occurs in the middle of a round the lifter will be given another attempt at the end of the round.

Lifters may use a closed or false grip during the execution of the Squat.


CAUSE FOR DISQUALIFICATION

Failure to wait for the command to start.

Double bouncing, or more than one recovery attempt at the bottom of the lift.

Failure to assume an upright position (knees locked) at the beginning or end of the lift.

Any lateral movement of the feet. Rocking back and forth on the feet between the ball and heel of the foot is permitted though.

Failure to break parallel on the squat attempt.

Change the position of the bar on the shoulders after starting the lift, Intentional or Unintentional.

Contact of elbows or upper arms with the legs.

Failure to make a bona fide attempt to return the bar to the racks.

Any dropping or dumping of the bar.

Failure to remove the bar from the racks within the one minute period after the “bar is loaded” command is given by the Chief Referee on the platform.

NOTE: Stopping of the bar during the ascent portion of the squat is not cause for disqualification of the lift. This also applies in the Bench Press and the Deadlift.

NOTE:  Intentional dropping or dumping of the bar may result in the lifter being disqualified from the meet.

NOTE:  Movement of the hands during the performance of the squat is not a cause for disqualification of the lift.



BENCH PRESS
         
RULES OF PERFORMANCE

The bench shall be placed on the platform with the bar rest closest to the Chief Referee.

The lifter will lie on his back and his head, shoulders and buttocks should all be in contact with the top surface of the bench. Toes maybe pointed on the floor but cannot slide in any direction.


To achieve firm footing, the lifter may use plates, blocks, or other materials to build up the surface of the platform.

Not more than 4 and not fewer than 2 spotter/loaders shall be on the platform at any one time. The lifter may enlist the help of the spotter/loader in removing the bar from the bench racks.

The spacing of the hands on the bar shall not exceed 32 inches.

False or Suicide grips are allowed in PRPA competitions.

After the “Bar is Loaded” signal is given by the Chief Referee, the lifter has one minute to receive the bar at a locked position before “start” command is given. The lifter may make any adjustments necessary without penalty before the “start” command is given by the Chief Referee.

The signal shall be the audible command PRESS and will be given when the bar is motionless on the lifters chest.

After the signal to commence the lift has been given, the bar shall be pressed upward to straight arm length and held motionless until the audible command RACK is given.

The bar may stop during the press, but no downward movement is permitted.


CAUSE FOR DISQUALIFICATION

Failure to observe any of the referees three commands.

Failure to start the execution of the lift (receive the bar at arm’s length) within one minute after the “bar is loaded” signal is given by the Chief Referee.

Any change in the lifters position on the bench after the signal to initiate the lift has been given (raising head, shoulders, buttocks from their original points of contact with the bench, any side to side sliding movement of either foot, or lateral movement of the hands on the bar).

Heaving or bouncing the bar off the chest. Heaving or bouncing is defined as any downward movement of the bar after the PRESS command is given. Once the bar starts up, it may not descend in any way.

Allowing the bar to sink into the chest after receiving the referee’s press signal.

Uneven lockout of the bar at the completion of the press. NOTE: Uneven constitutes more than the width of the bar at the top.

Any downward movement of either hand that occurs as the bar is pressed upward.

Any contact between the lifter’s feet and the bench or its supports.

Deliberate contact between the bar and the bar uprights during the lift to make the press easier.

After the bar is lowered to the chest the bar cannot rest below the Xiphoid Process or bottom of the chest.


DEADLIFT
     
RULES OF PERFORMANCE

The bar must be laid horizontally in front of the lifter’s feet and lifted without downward movement until the lifter is standing erect. The lifter will initiate or start the lift within one minute after the Chief Referee declares the bar is loaded. There is no signal given by the Chief Referee to start the execution of the Deadlift.

The lifter shall face the Chief Referee in front of the platform.

On completion of the lift, the knees shall be locked in a straight position and the shoulders held in an erect position (not forward or rounded). The shoulders do not have to be thrust back past an erect position.

The Chief Referee’s signal shall consist of the downward movement of the hand and the command DOWN. The signal will not be given until the bar is held motionless and the lifter is in the apparent finished position.

Any raising of the bar or any deliberate attempt to raise it shall count as an attempt.


CAUSE FOR DISQUALIFICATION

Any downward movement of the bar during the uplifting.

Failure to stand erect with the shoulders held in an erect position.

Failure to initiate the execution of the deadlift within a one minute period after the Chief Referee declares the bar is loaded and ready.

Failure to maintain the lifter’s knees locked at the completion of the lift.

Supporting the bar on the thighs during the performances of the lift.


NOTE:

Supporting the bar is defined as a secondary bending of the knees and a dropping of the hips (hitching).

Stepping backwards or forwards. Rocking back and  forth on the feet between the ball and heel of the  foot is permitted though.

Lowering the bar before receiving the DOWN signal from the Chief Referee.

Allowing the bar to return to the platform without maintaining control with both hands.

Making any attempt to lift the bar that allows it to rise and descend without having the plates themselves leave the platform.


REQUIRED LIFTING ATTIRE

  • A  lifting singlet must be worn for all events. It can have sponsor labels but must be form fitted to your body.
  • A belt may or may not be worn but can not exceed 4 inches width at any point.
  • Knee high socks must be worn for the deadlift. NOTE: Regular socks stretched high is not acceptable.
  • Any wrist wrap can be worn with thumb loop attached where applicable.
  • Any shoes may be worn but the lifter must have a form of socks on.
  • No full length leggings, compression shirts, or spandex shorts can be worn under the singlet.
  • Any pull-on knee sleeve without a tightening mechanism may be worn.
  • No knee wraps allowed.
  • No velcro belts allowed.
  • Skull caps may be worn.