Section 7: Violations & Penalties
Section 2.9 sets out the numbered failure cards: 1 = red, 2 = blue, 3 = yellow. After the lights show, the referee raises the card showing the reason for failure. The causes are listed in Sections 4.1.1, 4.2.1 and 4.3.1.
Causes for disqualification of a squat (Section 4.1.1)
- Failure to observe the Chief Referee's signals at the commencement or completion of a lift.
- Double bouncing at the bottom of the lift, or any downward movement during the ascent.
- Failure to assume an upright position with the knees locked at the commencement or completion of the lift.
- Stepping backward or forward or moving the feet laterally. Rocking the feet between ball and heel is permitted.
- Failure to bend the knees and lower the body until the top surface of the legs at the hip joint is lower than the top of the knees.
- Contact with the bar or lifter by the spotter/loaders between the Chief Referee's signals in order to make the lift easier.
- Contact of the elbows or upper arms with the legs. Slight contact is permitted if there is no supporting that might aid the lifter.
- Any dropping or dumping of the bar after completion of the lift.
- Failure to comply with any of the items outlined under Rules of Performance for the squat.
Causes for disqualification of a bench press (Section 4.2.1)
- Failure to observe the Chief Referee's signals at the commencement, during or completion of the lift.
- Any change in the elected lifting position during the lift proper, i.e. any raising movement of the head, shoulders or buttocks from the bench, or lateral movement of the hands on the bar.
- Sinking the bar into the chest or abdominal area after it is motionless in such a way as to aid the lift.
- Utilizing upper body thrust to initiate upward movement of the bar from the chest.
- Any downward movement of the whole of the bar in the course of being pressed out.
- The bar is not lowered to the chest or abdominal area, or the bar is touching the belt.
- Failure to press the bar to straight arms' length, elbows locked, at the completion of the lift.
- Contact with the bar or lifter by the spotter/loaders between the Chief Referee's signals in order to make the lift easier.
- Any contact of the lifter's feet with the bench or its supports. Lifting of the feet is not allowed.
- Deliberate contact between the bar and the bar rest supports.
- Failure to lower the underside of both elbow joints level with or below the top surface of each respective shoulder joint.
- Failure to comply with any of the items outlined under the Rules of Performance.
Causes for disqualification of a deadlift (Section 4.3.1)
- Any downward movement of the bar before it reaches the final position.
- Failure to stand erect with the shoulders back.
- Failure to lock the knees straight at the completion of the lift.
- Supporting the bar on the thighs during the lift. If the bar edges up the thigh but is not supported, this is not a reason for disqualification. The lifter benefits in all decisions of doubt made by the referee.
- Stepping backward or forward or moving the feet laterally. Foot movement after the command "Down" is not a cause for failure.
- Lowering the bar before receiving the Chief Referee's signal.
- Allowing the bar to return to the platform without maintaining control with both hands, i.e. releasing the bar from the palms of the hands.
- Failure to comply with any of the items outlined under the Rules of Performance.
Other penalties
- Illegal equipment (Section 3.12(f)): if a lifter appears on the platform wearing or using an illegal item, other than something inadvertently passed by the examining referees, the lifter is disqualified from the competition. Under Section 7(7)(b), if the lifter was wearing an illegal item that was passed in error and the lift was successful, the lift is rejected and a new attempt is granted at the end of the round.
- Time (Section 6.2(d)): failure to start the attempt within the one-minute allowance results in a "no lift".
- Leaving the platform (Section 6.3(8)): a lifter must leave the platform within 30 seconds of completing an attempt. Failure may result in disqualification of the attempt at the referees' discretion.
- Misconduct (Section 6.3(12), (13)): a lifter or coach whose misconduct is likely to discredit the sport is officially warned. If it continues, the Jury (or the Referees in its absence) may disqualify the lifter or coach and order them to leave the venue. The Jury and Referees may disqualify immediately by majority decision if the misconduct is serious enough.
- Appeals (Section 6.3(14), (15)): in international competition, appeals against referees' decisions must be made to the Jury immediately, lodged with the Jury Chairman by the team manager, coach or lifter. A complaint against a lifter or official of an opposing team must be accompanied by the sum of Euro 75 or its equivalent. The Jury's verdict is final.