Order of Competition

PRIOR TO COMPETITION

Weighing In

1. All lifters must be weighed in prior to the start of the competition. Failure to be weighed in may result in exclusion in competition and forfeiture of entry.
2. Weigh In Times
   1. The first weigh-in session (Early Weigh-In) for a meet may begin 24 hours prior to the start time of first session of the competition. Multiple weigh-in sessions allow each lifter an opportunity to weigh-in the day prior to or the day the competitor will be lifting.
   2. Known as the 24-hour Rule: Lifters may only attend a Weigh in session that does not exceed 26 hours prior to their scheduled session start. Why is 26 hours noted? Because the weigh ins on the prior day may only be from 7-7:30 and the lifting for Sunday starts at 9. This is also the amount of time a lifter who would lift in the third flight would have “extra ” before they actually lift if they were to weigh in at 9.
      Examples: A Lifter in the PM Lifting Session that starts at 3pm cannot weigh in at any Weigh In sessions scheduled to end before 1pm on the prior day. A lifter scheduled for a Sunday cannot weigh in on Friday at any time.
   3. Weigh In sessions may be of any duration, and be broken up into several sessions at the discretion of the meet director. Weigh In times should be specified on each event’s entry form, however may change or be posted per the Meet Directors discretion in regards to entries, venue availability, staffing, travel and set up schedules.
3. Weigh-In Procedures
   1. If in an age category, they must present proof of age and date of birth with a driver’s license or birth certificate.
   2. Lifters may be weighed in the nude, underwear or lightly clothed at the discretion of the lifter.
   3. If the scale is placed in a private, enclosed area with the scale readout located outside the private area ensuring the athlete’s privacy, the athlete can be weighed in by any meet officials or appointed representatives.
   4. If the scale and read out are not able to be separated than an official of the same sex as the athlete will be required to record the weight of the athlete.
   5. If a lifter enters a certain weight class, steps on the scales and officially makes weight within the upper and lower limits of that class, they may NOT be re-weighed to make another weight class.
   6. If a lifter does not weigh in within the limits of the weight class entered, the lifter has the option to accept the weight class they weigh for or try to loose the amount of weight required to meet the limits.
   7. A lifter has until the end of the final weigh-in prior to the start of lifting on the day they compete to attempt to make their registered weight class if unsuccessful during previous weigh sessions.
   8. Any lifter who is visibly in duress during weigh-in due to a weight cut, ex. require assistance to weigh-in, unable to communicate coherently or need assistance to leave the venue because of weakness or cramping because of dehydration, will not be allowed to compete. Additional ramifications of attempting drastic weight cuts can include being barred from further attempts to compete at that weight class.
4. Recording Weigh-In Information – The weigh-in information may be entered directly to the lifters attempt card which must include the following information:
   1. Lifter’s name.
   2. Lifter’s age.
   3. Weight class, division entered and subdivision/s.
   4. Lifter’s actual body weight.
   5. Opening attempts. If opening attempts for anyone entered as AM exceed the PRO threshold, the lifter will automatically be deemed ineligible for an AM division.
   6. Rack height (when applicable)
5. Lifter’s Weight Tie – If two lifters weigh the same at weigh-in and eventually tie in their totals, they shall be re-weighed. The lifter weighing the lightest shall take first place and the heavier lifter second place. If they still weigh the same after the re-weigh, both lifters shall share first place and the person who would have regularly placed third will still be third and so on. If two lifters tie for first place, team scoring is computed by adding the first and second place points and dividing them equally.

Rules Clinic

1. The rules briefing shall begin as early as one (1) hour prior, but no later than 1/2 hour prior to the commencement of the competition.
2. Competitors will be briefed of the rules meeting regarding attire and equipment; performance of lifts; the progression of the competition and lifter conduct.
3. It is the responsibility of the lifter to know the rules as provided in the rule book, however revisions and additional rules may be applicable and will be shared at that rules briefing. Disqualifications due to items disclosed during the rules briefing that are not published are not subject for review.
4. It is the responsibility of the lifter to attend the rules meeting in order to ask for questions for any rule clarification.

Flights

1. The flights will be determined for the best flow of the meet. If there is direct competition in a division the lifters should be kept in the same flight unless the disparity between the opening lifts puts one competitor at much greater advantage.
2. Depending on the number, division and event mix of lifters, lifters may not always be in the same flights with the exact same lifters.
3. All flights and lifter’s opening attempts will be posted when the competition days’ morning weigh-ins are finished.
4. Lifters will need to review these sheets to:
   1. make sure their opening weight is correctly listed,
   2. know during which flight they are lifting,
   3. ensure that any prearranged flight assignments have been met.
5. Opening attempts received during weigh-ins will determine the flights, these opening attempts may be changed up until the start of the flight.

Warm-ups

1. An area will be designated by the meet director and have the necessary equipment to facilitate the lifters warm ups (see MEET EQUIPMENT AND SPECIFICATIONS section for the equipment required in the warm up area).
2. The warm up area is to be occupied only by lifters and coaches directly assisting the warming up athletes. Those who are not using the equipment in the warm up area should be respectfully mindful of those athletes who are in the process of warming up.
3. All of the equipment in the warm up areas must be made accessible to any athlete who is warming up.
4. Absolutely no unattended children or non-essential persons are to be in the warm-up area.
5. Absolutely no one who is not a registered competitor may lift on the equipment in the warm up area or platform.
6. Lifters are allowed to warm-up on the competition platform when necessary to expedite warming up for local and state meets. However, no lifter is allowed to warm up on the platform during the World and National competitions. Lifters may approach the platform equipment for rack heights and go through the lift motions with an unloaded bar to note any deviation from equipment the lifter is accustomed to.

COMMENCEMENT OF COMPETITION

The Round System will be used at all RPS meets.

1. The lifters are divided in flights. Each flight will take their three attempts in the event before proceeding to the next flight’s first attempts.
2. All lifts of each event will be taken before another event is started except for when sessions have been planned to divide the day into multiple groups of events.
3. The lifter attempting the lightest weight is first.
4. The bar weight will not be reduced in weight until the next round of attempts is taken.
5. The order of the lifts for the subsequent attempts may not be the same as the first attempts as the lifters will be ordered by the ascending weight of the bar.
6. It is the responsibility of the lifter or their coach to observe the progressive loading of the bar and listen for the announcement of the lifter to be ready for their attempt.

Announcement of Lifters and Their Attempts

1. The meet announcer will announce the start of the meet after it has been cleared with the meet director that the lifters are ready.
2. The meet announcer will announce the weight the bar is to be loaded to, and indicate a rack height if applicable, for each lifter prior to their lift.
3. The announcement of the current lifter must be followed by the announcement of at minimum the next two lifters in order, and optimally the next three lifters.
4. Standard practice for announcing lifters will be: Load the bar to x weight for current lifter, the next lifter is “On Deck”, the 2nd lifter to follow is “In the Hole”, and the 3rd lifter to follow is “4th Out”.
5. If known, the attempt should be announced as a World, National or State record.
6. Additional information regarding the lifter may be announced but only after the Weight to be attempted (utilized by the loaders) is announced and the list of following lifters.

Approaching the Platform

1. It is the lifters responsibility to be prepared for their attempt.
2. Personal entertainment devices (head phones, blue tooth, mp3 players, etc.) must be removed before approaching the platform.
3. The lifter and their spotters may approach the platform as soon as the preceeding lifter and their spotters have exited the platform, however the lifter may also wait until the bar has been loaded to enter the platform area.
4. The lifter will be granted one (1) minute from the time the bar is announced “loaded” to initiate their attempt. Failure to do so within that time period may result in forfeiture of that attempt due to being “timed-out”.
5. Should the lifter know they will fail to be able to reach the platform in time due to equipment adjusts/difficulties, notification to the platform crew or scoring table by anyone prior to being timed out of the delay may grant the reprieve attempt forfeiture.
6. Failure to report the platform for any attempt will result in the forfeiture of that lift and the lifter will be removed from the flight for any further attempts and be considered “out of meet.”
7. Upon completion of a lift, the lifter has 30 seconds to leave the platform if capable of leaving the platform without assistance. Failure to comply after being warned will result in disqualification of the lift.
8. If for any reason a lifter must follow himself/herself, the lifter will be granted a stated period of time by the executive in charge of no less than three (3) minutes and no more than eight (8) minutes. For world record purposes on fourth attempts, the last five (5) lifters in the flight will be granted the same privileges as those “following themselves.” Should another flight be scheduled to follow a flight with World Record 4th attempts, the meet director may choose to incorporate the 4th attempts into the following flight.

Submitting Next Attempts

1. After each attempt, the lifter will have two (2) minutes to submit their next attempt to the expediter or the scoring table.
2. Weight increase between attempts if the lift is good must always be a multiple of 5 lbs. (2.5 kg). The exception is if the attempt is to break an RPS world record which can be broken by 2.5 lbs.; All-Time Records can be broken by a minimum of 1.1 lbs.
3. Opening attempts, submitted at weigh-in, may be changed up until the start of that lifter’s flight. Second attempts may not be changed after the deliverer of that attempt leaves the vicinity of the scoring table. Third attempts may be changed up to two times prior to the lifter being announced in the 4th out position.
4. In the event a lift is no good, the lifter or coach my still supply to the scoring table that they are repeating the weight.
5. Failure to submit the next attempt in a timely manner will result in a no lift being retaken and a good lift increased by 5 lbs.
6. If an injury occurs or a lifter decides not to continue with attempts the lifter or their coach must notify the scoring table that the lifter will not be continuing even if it appears apparent that the lifter will not be continuing.
7. Fourth attempts may be taken only for purposes of setting World records. It is at the discretion of the meet director when considering time constraints whether to allow record fourth attempts for state or national records. Fourth attempts may not be applied to the total or be considered as an attempt within a competition.

Loading Errors or Incorrect Announcements by Speaker

1. If the bar is loaded to a lighter weight than originally requested and the attempt is successful, the lifter may accept the successful attempt or elect to take the attempt again at the weight originally requested. If the lifter chooses to re-take the attempt, they will be placed in rotation at the end of the round.
2. If the bar is loaded to a heavier weight than originally requested and the attempt is successful, the lifter will be credited with the attempt. However, the weight may be reduced again if required by other lifters. If the attempt is not successful, the lifter will be granted another attempt at the original weight at the end of the round.
3. If the loading is not equal on each side, or if any changes occur on the bar or discs during the lift and the lift is not successful, the lifter will be granted another attempt at the original weight requested. If the announcer fails to announce a lifter at the appropriate weight, then the weight on the bar shall be reduced as necessary and the lifter will be allowed to take the attempt.

General Rules and Reasons for Disqualification

1. Three unsuccessful attempts in any lift will automatically eliminate a lifter from receiving a record in their entered events. If a lifter sets a record in one of the other lifts prior to being eliminated, those records will be forfeited. Per the meet directors discretion, the lifter may be given the opportunity to continue competing in any remaining events if so desired but is no longer eligible for records or consideration for best lifter. In large meets the “Bomb Out” Rule may be enforced as long as the lifters are informed during the rules briefing, where a lifter failing to get a successful attempt in an event will not be allowed to continue for other events.
2. Upon completion of a lift, the lifter has 30 seconds to leave the platform. Failure to comply after being warned will result in disqualification of the lift.
3. If a lifter suffers an injury, the official doctor will examine the injury. If the doctor considers it inadvisable to continue, the lifter must retire from the competition. If no doctor is present, the referees or meet director will determine if the lifter can continue.
4. Any lifter or coach who by reason of misconduct on or near the competition platform is likely to discredit the sport shall receive one official warning. If the misconduct continues, the referees will disqualify the lifter and order the coach to leave the venue. This rule applies even if it is the lifter’s last lift of the day at a competition. Any lifter who strikes an official or any other individual at a competition will be permanently banned from all RPS competition. Any lifter who causes a disruption that seriously interferes with efficient operation of a competition, or interferes with lifters preparing for a lift will be suspended from competition for a period determined by the RPS President with consideration of the Competition Advisory Committee.
5. Any certified RPS referee who through their actions is obviously showing favoritism or bias towards a lifter will be permanently suspended as an RPS referee.
6. If a lifter assaults an official, competitor or spectator, the meet director is justly right in contacting authorities to safely have the individual removed from the event and charges pressed. The meet director must also notify the RPS in writing with in three days of the incident. A written complaint should include the name/s and the lifter/s involved.

Ramifications of “Cheating”

If it is determined that a lifter has “artificially” shortened the path needed to perform a lift or changed the shape of their anatomy by using foreign objects under or inside his allowed apparel or upon the platform equipment they will suffer the following consequences:

1. The lifter will be immediately removed from the competition;
2. all lifts will be voided;
3. Lifter WILL BE SUSPENDED from RPS competitions for LIFE;
4. and will be named on a public list of know cheaters.