Rules changes

[Thom Van Vleck]

Rules changes

Thom Van Vleck
Jackson Weightlifting Club
Highland Games athlete and sometimes All-Rounder

[Al Myers]

I sure understand how Thom feels on this. But the problem is the impact having a policy like he proposed implemented and the number of records it would eliminate if ALL of the rules that are different between the USAWA and the IAWA were changed. We are talking a minimum of 25 lifts here, maybe more. I would hate to see some of these great lifts taken off the books.

In talking with IAWA President Steve Gardner on this – he emphasized how at one time all the rules for the lifts for both the USAWA and the IAWA were the same when the initial rule book was implemented. This was when the organizations started in 1987. However, since that time the USAWA and the IAWA rulebooks have “evolved” in different directions for a number of reasons. It would be impossible to determine which records were set with different rules for all the lifts involved here.

I have identified several of these lifts that have different rules so far. The USAWA has made an effort to try to bring our rules into compliance with IAWA rules these past couple of years. At the 2011 National Meeting this happened for several lifts – which I think is a good thing. It is interesting to me that it seems that with most of the differences the USAWA has tougher rules than the IAWA rules. I’m talking about things like the heel raise on the Cheat Curl as an example. Also, read my blog on the differences between the vertical bar lifts. The IAWA rule is definitely easier for this lift than the USAWA rule. I did more at Worlds doing it the IAWA way than I could have done under the USAWA rule.

This will take time to identify all of these differences and make the changes, but I do feel that we are going in the right direction on this. Al

[jarrod]

i’m all for brining USAWA into line with the IAWA. mainly because i’d rather set & break world records than national ones! but i don’t think it’s quite fair to wipe the records clean. maybe there should be retired records, or “legacy lifts” or something like that. just a brief note on the old rules & the records as they stood until the new rules were adopted. that might also be good comparative data to see if new changes really are leading to increased numbers.

the folks who set the old records worked hard to do it, & they did it by the rules as they were at the time. seems a shame to just make it not count.

jf

[Thom Van Vleck]

Al…errrr…Dinoman,

I’m not vested either way, just my opinion. So, if we made a lift tougher to do you would leave the “old record” on there and expect someone to break the record with different rules….makes no sense. BUT, that being said, we need to bring the organizations in line or just do what the powerlifting groups do and change the “usawa” to the ISAWA and make our own rules.

If we are going to follow the IAWA (and I’m ok with that!!!!, don’t misread anything I’m writing as a beef with the IAWA as I’ve never been to an IAWA meet!!!!) then it would make sense that the USAWA would make a rule that whenever a lift or rule is modified by the IAWA then our rule book would automatically follow suit on common lifts. However, we could still have a USAWA “national record” in the cheat curl with feet flat on floor and an IAWA and USAWA record Cheat Curl using the common rules. MORE RECORDS FOR YOU TO KEEP TRACK OF! haha

Seriously, there’s a part of this that makes my eyes blur…..don’t put me in charge, I’d only do things that make sense to me…….and that’s the rub with whoever is in charge!

Thom Van Vleck
Jackson Weightlifting Club
Highland Games athlete and sometimes All-Rounder

[Al Myers]

Now since the USAWA rule has been changed to “be easier” in the Cheat Curl than before, I think I’m going to gain 30 pounds and break the USAWA record in it in the 45-49 age group, 125+ kg wt class. I looked this record up and I think the added advantage of heel raise will be all I need to break it!

But Thom – would this be the “right” thing to do? Or would I have quilty feelings for breaking a record with the new easier rules? But I’m I guy who show’s RESPECT – so I guess I’m just going to pass on this one. haha

[Thom Van Vleck]

I just can’t get over the irony of being able to “Cheat” on the “Cheat Curl”. My point is that it would not be as easy to say what an advantage is because some guys would be at at greater advantage in some ways. For example, we talked about the press. I’m a shoulder presser. If I don’t drive the bar off the chest I have no hope of finishing it. But to a guy like Eric who’s got tremendous tricep power…..What if the cheat curl would have went the other way and we were looking at 30lb drops.

Again, just talking, not trying to start anything. (now…..if we erase the cheat curl record, I can set it all over again!!!!).

PS I still think that the greatest Clean & Jerk of all time was Leonid Taranenko. Why is his lift still not the record (we all know why).

Thom Van Vleck
Jackson Weightlifting Club
Highland Games athlete and sometimes All-Rounder

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