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Uniform and Gear:

 

Specifications of the outfit and gear worn by the athlete are outlined below. All lifters are expected to conform to the uniform rules.

 

Outfit:

• Uniform: All members of a team must have matching uniforms.

• Top: Must allow clear visibility of both elbows.

• Bottoms: Must be form fitting and allow clear visibility of the knees.

• Shoes: Closed toed athletic shoes are required.

 

Gear:

• Head wear: Brimmed hats are not allowed. Sweat bands and bandanas are allowed

• Belt specifications: No greater than 6 cm/2.25 inches in the front and 12 cm/4.75 inches in the back. The belt must taper in the front.

• Belt: Material added on or under the belt is not allowed. Tape on the belt buckle prongs is allowed.

• Wrist wrap specifications: No thicker than 1.25 cm/.5 inches. There is no specified width. Wraps may be one continuous loop (ie. wrist band) or a cloth bandage.

• Wrist wraps: One wrist wrap may be worn per arm. Inserts of any kind are not allowed. If wrist wraps are designed to hold shielding or any sort of plastic insert it must be removed.

• Knee wraps: May be used at the lifter's discretion.

• Headphones/Earbuds: Lifters are not allowed to wear headphones or earbuds on the platform. Music can be played in the background.

 

Kettlebell preparation:

• Chalk/magnesium carbonate and water are allowed at the lifter's discretion.

 

Judging Standards:

 

All lifters, regardless of experience and weight load, will be held to the rules. To receive full points for your sets, know the Rules of Technical Performance and Technical Fouls (below).

 

Participants must demonstrate to the platform judge physical inability to fully straighten the arm/s in the overhead position before the competition set begins. This applies to all events the lifter participates in at the competition.

 

Rules of Technical Performance:

 

The guidelines of the lifts support fairness among all participants.

• The platform judge will indicate a completed repetition by audible count and/or by advancing the participant's score by one on the electronic counter.

• Unless otherwise noted, all violations of these rules will result in a "no count." The platform judge will give a reason for each "no count". The lifter may continue to attempt correct repetitions for the duration of the set time.

 

Safety Rule: If a lifter demonstrates fatigue to the point where anyone's safety is in question, and/or technique has deteriorated to the extent of five consecutive failed repetitions the platform judge or head judge may stop that lifter's set.

 

JERK:

After the "start" command, the lifter swings and Cleans kettlebells from the platform once into the start position (arms are bent so elbows are below the hands, upper arms are against or near the ribs). The start position is also called "the Rack." The lifter moves the weight from start position through a mid-point (under squat) position, then to the overhead (end) position. A point is added to the score in the end position upon lockout of the legs and fixation of the kettlebells. Fixation is a pause in which the weights have stopped moving, demonstrating that the lifter is in full control of the kettlebell load.

 

Required elements of the Jerk:

• Fixation of the legs in the start position. The hips are extended, and legs are straightened briefly to establish fixation of the legs.

• The arms lockout at the mid-point of the lift. The arms are in their straight position before the legs straighten.

• Fixation of the weights in the end position. A dedicated pause is required at this point for the platform judge to count each repetition.

• For One Arm Jerk events, lifters may swing the kettlebell from the rack position on the starting side to the rack position on the finishing side one time. Two swings are allowed to switch sides.

• Lifters may put the kettlebells on the shoulders directly after the first Clean from the platform to position the handles. For One Arm Jerk the lifter may do this directly after the first Clean off the platform and again at the switching of sides. All other instances of setting the kettlebell on the shoulders will result in a "no count" for that repetition. (see below)

 

Technical Performance violations specific to the Jerk:

• No fixation of the legs to start a repetition. If the lifter's legs do not straighten before the first knee dip to initiate the Jerk, the platform judge can issue "no count" for "no leg fixation."

• No lockout of the arm/s in the mid-point (under squat) before the lifter stands up. If the lifter's arm/s do not straighten in the under squat, the platform judge may issue "no count" for "no lockout."

• No fixation at the completion of a repetition. If lifter and kettlebell do not become motionless at the completion of a repetition and before dropping the weight to the start position, the platform judge can issue "no count" for "no fixation."

• Unsynchronized lift. If the weights do not ascend to the overhead position together the platform judge may issue a "no count" for "unsynchronized lift."

• Touching shoulders (Shoulder Rack). After the first Clean from the platform if the kettlebell/s are racked on the shoulders the platform judge may issue a "no count" for "touching shoulders" or "shoulder rack." Shoulder Rack is defined as: when the lifter's elbow/s move away from the body and the kettlebell/s are on the shoulder above the upper arm bone.

 

LONG CYCLE:

 

All of the above Rules of Technical Performance of the Jerk also apply to the Long Cycle.

 

Required element of Long Cycle:

• After each completed Jerk repetition, the lifter drops the kettlebells below the rack position and, through a continuous motion (Clean), returns them to the start position. The Clean may be between the legs or outside them.

 

Technical Performance violation specific to the Long Cycle:

All Technical Performance violations specific to the Jerk aslo apply to the Long Cycle.

• No Clean between Jerk attempts. If the lifter does not drop the kettlebells into a Clean between a successful or failed Jerk attempt and another Jerk attempt, the platform judge will issue "no count" for "no Clean."

• Unsynchronized Clean. When lifting with two kettlebells, if the weights do not drop from the rack position and/or return to the start position together the platform judge may issue a "no count" for "unsynchronized Clean" after the following Jerk attempt.

• Swing. If the lifter Swings rather than Cleans after the drop down from the end position the platform judge will give a WARNING and a "no count" for "extra swing" after the following Jerk.

 

Re-Clean Rule: If a lifter fails a Jerk attempt or performs an Unsynchronized Clean, it is the lifter's option to Re-Clean the weights rather than receive a "no count" for the next successful Jerk.

 

ONE ARM LIFTS:

• All One Arm (one kettlebell) lifts will be judged with the exact same standard as the lifts with double kettlebell loads.

• For One Arm Jerk, and One Arm Long Cycle, lifters may switch the kettlebell to the second side one time during the duration of the set on his/her own timing. The switch of sides is not required for the lifter to receive full count for all successful repetitions.

• If the lifter touches the kettlebell with the free hand while lifting on the first side the judge will expect the lifter to switch sides before attempting more repetitions. Otherwise the free hand must remain away from the kettlebell and lifter's body.

• For One Arm Jerk, if the kettlebell drops below of the rack position on the first side the lifter must switch to the second side.

• For One Arm Long Cycle, if the lifter performs a Swing rather than a Clean after dropping down from the end position on the first side judge will expect the lifter to switch sides before attempting more repetitions.

 

Technical Performance violations specific to the One Arm lifts:

• Free Hand Assist. If the lifter touches the body or kettlebell during any part of the lift in a deliberate attempt to assist the lift the platform judge will give a WARNING and issue "no count" for "free hand assist" and give a command to switch sides.

  • The lifter will only receive one WARNING/"no count" for "free hand assist" for the entire set. The second "free hand assist" offence is a technical foul and the platform judge will stop the set.

 

• Extra Swing. Swings are not permitted between repetitions. If there is a swing between repetitions on the first side the judge will expect the lifter to switch sides. If at the switch of sides the lifter uses more than two total swings to complete the switch and resume One Arm Jerk or One Arm Long Cycle attempts on the second side the platform judge will issue a WARNING and "no count" for "extra swing."

  • If in One Arm Long Cycle the lifter performs a Swing on the first side but does not switch to the second side the judge will give a WARNING and "no count" for "extra swing" and give a command to switch sides.

  • Failure to switch sides at the judge's command is a technical foul and the platform judge will stop the set.

  • The lifter will only receive one WARNING/"no count" for "extra swing" for the entire set. The second "extra swing" offence is a technical foul and the platform judge will stop the set.

 

SNATCH:

 

After the "start" command, lifter swings the kettlebell from the platform through the swing position (between the legs) to the overhead (end) position in one continuous motion. A repetition is complete when the arm and legs are locked out/straight and the kettlebell is motionless. A point is added to the score in the end position upon lockout of the legs and fixation of the kettlebell. Fixation is a pause in which the weight has stopped moving, demonstrating that the lifter is in full control of the kettlebell load.

The lifter may switch to the second hand one time during the competition set. The switch of sides is not required for the lifter to receive full count for all successful repetitions.
* 5-minute Snatch is a multi-switch event. Lifters may switch sides at their discretion.

 

Required elements of the Snatch:

• Lockout of the arm occurs before or simultaneous with lockout of the legs. If the lifter uses an under squat, the arm is locked out before standing up out of the under squat.

• Fixation of the weight in the end position. A dedicated pause is required at this point for the platform judge to count each repetition.

• The lifter may drop the kettlebell to the shoulder on the first side once. This indicates that he/she will switch sides before attempting another repetition.

• The lifter may swing the kettlebell once on the first side. This indicates that he/she will switch sides before attempting another repetition. A total of two swings are allowed to change sides.

 

Technical Performance violations specific to the Snatch:

• No Arm Lockout. If the lifter's arm does not straighten in the under squat before the legs straighten, the platform judge will issue "no count" for "no arm lockout."

• No Fixation. If lifter and kettlebell do not become motionless at the completion of an attempted repetition and before dropping the weight to the swing position, the platform judge will issue "no count" for "no fixation."

• Free Hand Assist. The lifter may not use the free hand to assist during the lift. If the lifter touches the body or kettlebell during any part of the lift in a deliberate attempt to assist the lift the platform judge wlll give a WARNING, issue "no count" for "free hand assist" and give a command to switch sides.

• The lifter will only receive one WARNING/"no count" for "free hand assist" for the entire set. The second "free hand assist" offence is a technical foul and the platform judge will stop the set.

Extra Swing:

• Swings are not permitted between repetitions. If there is a swing between repetitions on the first side the judge will expect the lifter to switch sides.  

• If at the switch of sides the lifter uses more than two total swings to complete the switch and resume Snatch attempts on the second side the platform judge will issue a WARNING and "no count" for "extra swing."

• If the lifter performs a Swing on the first side but does not switch to the second side the judge will give a WARNING and "no count" for "extra swing" and give a command to switch sides. Failure to switch sides at the judge's command is a technical foul and the platform judge will stop the set.

• The lifter will only receive one WARNING/"no count" for "extra swing" for the entire set. The second "extra swing" offence is a technical foul and the platform judge will stop the set.

 

Shoulder Touch:

• If the kettlebell is lowered to the shoulder on the first side the judge will expect the lifter to switch sides. If the lifter attempts additional repetitions on that same side, the platform judge will give a WARNING, issue "no count" for "shoulder touch" and give a command to switch sides.

• The lifter will only receive one WARNING/"no count" for "shoulder touch" for the entire set. The second "shoulder touch" offence is a technical foul and the platform judge will stop the set.

 

Technical Foul:

 

An action or attitude of the lifter demonstrating lack of preparedness to maintain proper form for the duration of the competition set. The call for any Technical Foul is "stop." After the "stop" command the lifter must put down the kettlebell/s. All previously executed fair repetitions will be counted as the participant's score.

 

Action:

• Self-termination: If in any lifting event the lifter drops or sets one or both kettlebells down before the end of the set time.

• Lifter leaves the platform: If in any lifting event the lifter steps or falls off the platform during the competition set.

• (Jerk/One Arm Jerk) Weights drop below the Rack: If in double kettlebell Jerk events one or both kettlebells drop below the start (rack) position, or in One Arm Jerk events the kettlebell drops below the start (rack) position after the participant has switched to the second hand.

• (LC) Second Extra Swing: If in Long Cycle events the lifter performs a Swing rather than a Clean after dropping down from the end position the platform judge will give a warning and issue "no count" for the following completed repetition. If the lifter performs a second Swing rather than a Clean after dropping down from the end position the platform judge will stop the set.

• (Snatch/LC) Dead Hang: If in the Snatch/Long Cycle events the kettlebell/s stop moving (dead hang) in the swing position (Snatch) or the position below the rack (Long Cycle).

• (Snatch/One Arm Jerk) Second Free Hand Assist: If in One Arm Jerk events the lifter touches the kettlebell with the free hand after the switching of sides.

• (Snatch/ONE ARM LONG CYCLE) Second Extra Swing: If the lifter has received a WARNING/"no count" on either the first or second side and performs a second Extra Swing at any point in the remainder of the set the platform judge will stop the set.

• (Snatch) Second Shoulder Touch: If in Snatch events the kettlebell is lowered to the shoulder of the second side.

• (Snatch/One Arm Jerk/One Arm Long Cycle) Not switching sides: If in single kettlebell events a lifter plainly ignores a judge's command to switch sides and continues attempting repetitions on the first side after a technical violation (for Free Hand Assist, Extra Swing or Shoulder Touch) has been called.

 

Attitude:

• Poor Sportsmanship: If the lifter demonstrates multiple incidents of poor sportsmanship during the competition. A lifter will be disqualified only if three competition officials agree.

• Late to the Platform: If a lifter is not standing on his/her designated platform with the kettlebell/s to be used on that platform at the beginning of the 10-second countdown to start the flight clock.

 

False Start: If a lifter picks up the kettlebell/s before the "start" command is given.

• The head/platform judge will tell that lifter to put the weight down.

• The lifter will be given a three second countdown (Three... Two... One... Start) and may begin lifting after the "start" command.

• No repetitions that occurred during the false start will be added to that lifter's total count. 

 

Video Submission Rules

 

Weigh Ins:

• All lifters are required to weigh in BOTH their body weight and the weight of the kettlebells in ONE continuous, unedited video prior to the start of their first lift.

  • Edited videos will not be accepted

  • Separate submissions of weigh in and lifts will not be accepted

• If you are submitting videos of multiple lifts, you only need to submit your bodyweight on the first lift, but you must weigh in your kettlebell(s) for each lift

 

Video Quality Requirements:

• Summary video is available here (https://youtu.be/mkbg72qlPLc)

• Lifters must be clearly visible, in a well-lit area

• The judge must be able to see the full length of the lift in frame including the lifter’s feet, knees, elbows, and the kettlebell(s) in overhead fixation position

• Video must be of sufficient quality that the lifter can be clearly identified and all necessary parts of the body visible

• Video must have a clock or timer clearly visible on the video

  • WeTime is a free app for your phone or tablet that includes a timer on the video

  • We recommend having TWO recording devices taping your set if possible, just in case the primary device fails for any reason so you do not need to re-perform your lift

• All rules and regulations that apply to in person lifts apply to video submissions

 

Video Upload Instructions:

• Please like and follow Twin Cities Kettlebell Club on Facebook or add Jordan Kunde-Wright as a friend so I can tag you

• Lifters competing via video submission will be added to a private Facebook group linked here (https://www.facebook.com/groups/634860314345106)

  • If you do not have a Facebook profile and do not wish to start one, please let me know and we can arrange to send your link(s) via email

• You will be tagged along with the person judging your set in a post introducing you

• Lifters will upload their video to YouTube meeting the requirements above

• Once the video is uploaded to YouTube, copy the link URL and REPLY to the Facebook post with the name of the lift completed and tag your judge

• Once the judge has evaluated your set, they will reply to your comment with your OFFICIAL count as well as any NO COUNTS

  • If you wish to receive explanation of any uncounted reps, please message your judge directly

  • If you wish to APPEAL the official count on your video set, please email Jordan at twincitieskettlebellclub@gmail.com and a second judge will be asked to review your set

• Videos must be uploaded by 23:59 Central Time on 10/23/2021