USA Powerlifting - Recent rule changes
As USA Powerlifting continues to move away from the IPF following the parting of ways at the end of last year, the rules have been in a state of flux, with many of the more stringent equipment requirements falling by the wayside in favor of more relaxed requirements closer to those of USPA.
On June 13, the National Governing Board for USA Powerlifting met and agreed to two new major rule changes:
The bench press technical rules no longer require the head to be in contact with the bench during the course of the lift.
The belt’s requirements are now limited only to its width - 10cm (no unapproved logos still; but these restrictions are fairly relaxed now)
These are huge changes.
As a judge, I’ve given red lights for the head coming off the bench - this has been a mainstay of USA Powerlifting for as long as I can remember. It’s been a coaching cue, right along with “heels down”. And now, it’s irrelevant.
Is it safer for your neck and back to keep your head down? Absolutely. But it’s no longer a red light risk.
Curiously, the rule concerning feet flat on the platform remains intact - you’ve still got to keep your heels down.
Belts. We’ve all wanted to use our custom pioneer belts or ratchet belts in competition, and USA Powerlifting stubbornly refused to let us.
The times they are a-changin.
Not only can you use whatever powerlifting belt you want; you can use any belt you want, so long as it’s not wider than 10cm at the widest point, excepting the buckle. The buckle doesn’t have a size restriction. The belt can be any thickness, any material. It can be a ratchet belt, a lever belt, a buckle belt, a velcro belt, a gun belt, you can dream it, you can wear it - so long as it’s not wider than four inches, and doesn’t have something overly ostentatious on it.
I’m sure the belt rule will get some clarification - this seems ripe for exploitation.
As we get closer to the 2022 USA Powerlifting Rochester Rumble at East Ave. Barbell, we’ll keep posting more information about the rules and requirements for competition. If you’ve got questions about the rules or are interested in competing for the first time, shoot us a message or leave a comment. If you want to take things a step further, we’ll be hosting weekly classes heading into the meet specifically designed to prepare you to perform your best on the platform.
Stay strong, folks.
More info here: https://www.usapowerlifting.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/USAPL-Rulebook-v2022.2.pdf