Editing Powerlifting (section)

== Rules ==
=== Squat ===
There are two types depending on equipment used: conventional stand and monolift stand.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.powerliftingtowin.com/powerlifting-federations/|title=Powerlifting Federations|last=Navraez|first=Israel Thomas|website=Powerlifting to Win}}</ref>

The squat starts with the lifter standing erect and the bar loaded with weights resting on the lifter's shoulders or traps. A high bar and low bar position can be used.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Padilla |first=Sebastian |title=High bar vs Low bar Squats |url=https://www.socalpowerlifting.net/post/high-bar-vs-low-bar-squats#:~:text=Now%20both%20high%20bar%20and,and%20express%20top-end%20strength. |access-date=2024-08-23 |website=SoCal Powerlifting}}</ref> At the referee's command, the squat begins. The lifter creates a break in the hips, bends their knees and drops into a [[squatting position]]. The lifter then ascends back to an erect position. At the referee's command, the bar is returned to the rack and the lift is completed.<ref name=":9">{{Cite journal |date=January 23, 2024 |title=IPF Technical Rules Book 2024 |url=https://www.powerlifting.sport/fileadmin/ipf/data/rules/technical-rules/english/IPF_Technical_Rules_Book_2024_24_Jan.pdf |journal=International Powerlifting Federation |pages=20}}</ref>

After removing the bar from the racks while facing the front of the platform, the lifter may move forward or backward to establish the lifting position. The bar shall be held horizontally across the shoulders with the hands and/or fingers gripping the bar, and the feet flat upon the platform with the knees locked. The lifter shall wait in this position for the head referee's signal to rack the weights.<ref name=":9" />

The lifter will be allowed only one commencement signal per attempt. The lifter may be given an additional attempt at the same weight at the head referee's discretion if failure in an attempt was due to any error by one or more of the spotters or by misload.<ref name=":9" />

==== Causes for disqualification ====
*Failure to observe the head referee's signals at the commencement or completion of a squat.<ref name=":8" />
*Double bouncing at the bottom of the squat.<ref name=":10" />
*Failure to assume an erect position with knees locked at the end of the squat.<ref name=":10" />
*Any downward movement during the squat ascent.<ref name=":10" />
*Movement of the feet laterally, backward or forward that would constitute a step or stumble after given the 'squat' command and before the 'rack' command.<ref name=":8" />
*Failure to squat to depth.{{Explanatory footnote|Depth rules are dependent on the federation. The IPF requires that lifters bend the knees and lower the body until the surface of the legs at the hip joint is lower than the tops of the knees.<ref>{{Cite journal |date=January 23, 2024 |title=IPF Technical Rules Book 2024 |url=https://www.powerlifting.sport/fileadmin/ipf/data/rules/technical-rules/english/IPF_Technical_Rules_Book_2024_24_Jan.pdf |journal=International Powerlifting Federation |pages=10}}</ref> Other federations allow the hip joint to be parallel with the knee joint.<ref>{{Cite journal |date=March 13, 2024 |title=USPA Rulebook March 13th, 2024 |url=https://uspa.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/USPA-Rulebook-March-13th-2024.pdf |journal=United States Powerlifting Association |pages=26 & 27}}</ref>}}
*Contact with the bar by the spotters between the referee's signals.<ref name=":8" />
*Contact of elbows or upper arms with the legs.<ref name=":8" />
*Any dropping or dumping of the bar.<ref name=":8" />

=== Bench press ===
With the lifter resting on the bench, the lifter takes the loaded bar at arm's length. At the discretion of the referee's signal, the lifter lowers the bar to the chest. When the bar becomes motionless on the chest, the referee gives a press command. Then the referee will call 'rack' and the lift is completed as the weight is returned to the rack.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jacques |first=Heather |date=2022-11-01 |title=Powerlifting Rules & Commands for Squat, Bench & Deadlift |url=https://liftvault.com/resources/powerlifting-commands/ |access-date=2024-08-25 |website=Lift Vault |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Padilla |first=Sebastian |title=Possible Reasons for Red Lights in Powerlifting |url=https://www.socalpowerlifting.net/post/possible-reasons-for-red-lights-in-powerlifting |access-date=2024-08-25 |website=SoCal Powerlifting}}</ref>

The bench equipment will be placed on the platform with the head facing the front or angled up to 45 degrees. The head referee will be positioned on the head side of the bench press discipline.<ref name=":11">{{Cite journal |date=January 23, 2024 |title=IPF Technical Rules Book 2024 |url=https://www.powerlifting.sport/fileadmin/ipf/data/rules/technical-rules/english/IPF_Technical_Rules_Book_2024_24_Jan.pdf |journal=International Powerlifting Federation |pages=21}}</ref>

To achieve firm footing, a lifter of any height may use discs or blocks to build up the surface of the platform. Whichever method is chosen, the shoes must be in a solid contact with the surface.<ref name=":11" />

A lift off may be used by the discretion of the lifter to arm's length. A designated spotter, having provided a centre lift off, must immediately clear the area in front of the head referee. If the personal spotter does not immediately leave the platform area and/or is in any way which impedes the head referees' responsibilities, the referees may determine that the lift is unacceptable, and be declared "no lift" by the referees and given three red lights.<ref name=":11" /><ref>{{Cite journal |title=WPC Official Rule Book 2016 Edition |url=https://worldpowerliftingcongress.com/wp-content/uploads/rules/WPC_Rule_book_Official.pdf |journal=World Powerlifting Congress |pages=8}}</ref>

==== Causes for disqualification ====
*Failure to observe the referee's signals at the commencement or completion of the lift.<ref name=":8">{{Cite journal |date=January 23, 2024 |title=IPF Technical Rules Book 2024 |url=https://www.powerlifting.sport/fileadmin/ipf/data/rules/technical-rules/english/IPF_Technical_Rules_Book_2024_24_Jan.pdf |journal=International Powerlifting Federation |pages=12}}</ref>
*Any change in the elected position such as shoulders, glutes, and head after the 'start' and before the 'rack' command.<ref name=":8" />
*Allowing the bar to sink into the chest after receiving the referee's signal.<ref name=":8" />
*Pronounced uneven extension of the arms during or at the completion of the lift.<ref>{{Cite journal |title=Move United Para Powerlifting Rulebook 2023 |url=https://moveunitedsport.org/app/uploads/2023/02/2023-Move-United-Para-Powerlifting-Rules.pdf |journal=Move United |pages=6}}</ref>
*Any downward motion of the bar during the course of being pressed out.<ref name=":10">{{Cite journal |date=January 23, 2024 |title=IPF Technical Rules Book 2024 |url=https://www.powerlifting.sport/fileadmin/ipf/data/rules/technical-rules/english/IPF_Technical_Rules_Book_2024_24_Jan.pdf |journal=International Powerlifting Federation |pages=11}}</ref>
*Contact with the bar by the spotters between the referee's signals.<ref name=":8" />
*Any contact of the lifter's shoes with the bench or its supports.<ref name=":8" />
*Deliberate contact between the bar and the bar rest uprights during the lift to assist the completion of the press.<ref name=":8" />
*Failure to lower both elbow joints to the level with or below the top surface of both shoulder joints.<ref name=":12">{{Cite journal |date=January 23, 2024 |title=IPF Technical Rules Book 2024 |url=https://www.powerlifting.sport/fileadmin/ipf/data/rules/technical-rules/english/IPF_Technical_Rules_Book_2024_24_Jan.pdf |journal=International Powerlifting Federation |pages=10}}</ref>

=== Deadlift ===
In the deadlift, the lifter may choose a conventional stance or [[Sumo deadlift|sumo stance]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Scantalides |first=Artemis |date=2017-06-20 |title=How To Choose Your Deadlift Stance |url=https://ironbodybyartemis.com/2017/06/20/how-to-choose-your-deadlift-stance/ |access-date=2024-08-25 |website=Aligned & Empowered Coaching |language=en}}</ref> The lifter grasps the loaded bar which is resting on the platform floor. The lifter pulls the weights off the floor and assumes an erect position. The knees must be locked and the shoulders must be back, with the weight held by the lifter's hands. At the referee's command, the bar will be returned to the floor under the control of the lifter.<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 31, 2019 |title=A Guide Powerlifting Deadlift Rules |url=https://gunsmithfitness.com/blogs/news/powerlifting-deadlift-rules-guide |access-date=2024-08-25 |website=Gunsmith Fitness |language=en}}</ref>

The bar must 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. Any raising of the bar or any deliberate attempt to do so will count as an attempt.<ref>{{Cite journal |date=January 23, 2024 |title=IPF Technical Rules Book 2024 |url=https://www.powerlifting.sport/fileadmin/ipf/data/rules/technical-rules/english/IPF_Technical_Rules_Book_2024_24_Jan.pdf |journal=International Powerlifting Federation}}</ref>

==== Causes for disqualification ====
* Any downward motion of the bar before lockout.<ref name=":10" />
* Failure to stand erect.<ref name=":12" />
* Failure to lock the knees while standing erect.<ref name=":12" />
* Supporting the bar on the thighs during the performance of the lift.<ref name=":10" />{{Explanatory footnote|'Supporting' is defined as a body position adopted by the lifter that could not be maintained without the counterbalance of the weight being lifted.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hitching the Deadlift {{!}} Mark Rippetoe |url=https://startingstrength.com/training/hitching-the-deadlift |access-date=2024-08-25 |website=Starting Strength |language=en-US}}</ref>}}
* Movement of the feet laterally, backward or forward that would constitute a step or stumble.<ref name=":8" />
* Lowering the bar before receiving the head referee's signal.<ref name=":8" />
* Lowering the bar to the platform without maintaining control with both hands.<ref name=":8" />