By Eric Todd
I have sent a survey out to all USAWA members. If you did not get it and would like to participate, please email me at SalGuimino@yahoo.com. The results of this straw poll will not be considered official in making any change. The official vote will be taken at the national meeting by those in attendance. These results will be used in discussion at that meeting. The items up for discussion at this point are as follows:
PROPOSAL 1 – Change Uniform rules
VI. Equipment
8. Braces or supports on any part of the body are not allowed. This would include neoprene elbow and knee sleeves. An exception to this rule may be made by the officials if the lifter has proof that it is medically necessary.
Change to
8. Braces or supports on any part of the body, except the knees are not allowed. This would include elbow sleeves. An exception to this rule may be made by the officials if the lifter has proof that it is medically necessary. Knee sleeves may be worn on the knees provided the sleeves are no thicker than 7mm, single ply, no wider than 30 cm and can be pulled up by the lifter unassisted.
Editor’s note-If approved, any lift done with knee sleeves would not be eligible for world records. Meet directors would be responsible for denoting which lifts were not eligible. Otherwise, this is a change that would need to take place at the world level.
Clint Poore’s justification for allowing knee sleeves:
It is imperative for long term growth, that the USAWA begins allowing Knee Sleeves as described in the Knee Sleeves proposal. All strength organizations: Crossfit, Powerlifting, Strongman and Olympic Weightlifting all allow the use of Knee Sleeves. The proposed rule is simple and effective and allows for only Single Ply Knee Sleeves, 7 mm Thick, no more than 12 inches long. Plus, the lifter must be able to put them on their self. This is identical to the rule used in the IPF (Powerlifting). It maintains a strong standard for protecting the knees, without compromising the integrity of the sport with multiply knee sleeves. We must move forward as a sports organization and allow Knee Sleeves.
I am a USAWA meet director and the NUMBER 1 question and hesitation lifters have about competing with the USAWA is Knee Sleeves. I have been asked multiple times, “Can I wear my Knee Sleeves?” When I unfortunately have to respond with not currently, the lifters usual response is, “Let me think about it?” Which is a polite way of saying NO! We don’t need to give lifters a reason to not lift in the USAWA, we need them to give a reason to lift with the USAWA by allowing Single Ply Knee Sleeves ASAP!
PROPOSAL 2 – Modify rules for Level 2 Certification
VII. Officials
9. There will be two levels of classification for Certified USAWA officials.
Level 2 – The official has passed the USAWA Rules Test and has completed the practical training sessions, and has the experience of officiating in 25 or more competitions or events.
Change to
Level 2 – The official has passed the USAWA Rules Test and has completed the practical training sessions, and has the experience of officiating in 25 or more competitions or events. An aspiring Level 2 official may substitute officiating experience in another federation for up to 15 competitions or events. It is the applicant’s responsibility to certify substitute experience to the Officials Director. Federations can include USA Weightlifting, USA Powerlifting, United States Powerlifting Association, NASA Powerlifting, or others at the discretion of the Officials Director.
PROPOSAL 3 – Move Lift from one section to another
XIII. Individual Rules of the Lifts
Propose moving “Deadlift – 2 Inch Dumbbells” and “Deadlift – Inch Dumbbell, One Arm” from Section I. Special Equipment Lifts to Section H. Old-Time Strongman Lifts.
Secretary’s note: If this is approved, any record broken in this discipline would be done under looser conditions than the previous records.
PROPOSAL 4 – Clarify uniform rules
VI. Equipment
3. Upper body must be covered by a one piece suit, shirt or both. No tank tops are allowed. If a one piece suit is worn, the straps must be over the shoulders.
Change to
3. Upper body must be covered by a one piece suit, shirt or both. No tank tops are allowed. If a one piece suit is worn, the straps must be over the shoulders. Sleeves on the upper body covering must extend 1 inch past the base of the deltoid and must be at least 2 inches from the point of the elbow.
PROPOSAL 5 -Modify Lift rules
H13. Saxon Snatch
A wooden plank, of 3 inch thickness, will be used as the apparatus.
Change to
A wooden plank or metal rectangular bar of 3 inch thickness, will be used as the apparatus. The weight of the apparatus must be clearly marked.
PROPOSAL 6 – New Lift
XIII. Individual Rules of the Lifts
Curl – Cheat – Fulton Bar
The rules of the Curl – Cheat apply except a Fulton Bar is used.
PROPOSAL 7 – New Lift
XIII. Individual Rules of the Lifts
Bavarian Deadlift – The lift starts with a bar/handle no greater than 12 inches above an elevated platform and a T-bar is used for this lift. The lift begins at the lifter’s discretion, in their own time. The elevated platform design is at the meet director’s discretion. Weights are to be loaded onto a loading pin directly below the lifter. The T-bar may be a rigid connection or chain. The T-bar may be no more than 12 inches in length. The bar may not contain any knurling. The lifter must have the bar in front of the legs, as defined by the rules of the deadlift. The lifter’s legs must be outside the hands (SUMO STYLE). The outside of the hands should be no further than 12 inches apart. Lifting straps or any other gripping aid is not allowed. A one-minute time limit is allowed for the lifter to make a legal lift, during which time a lifter may make multiple tries. Once the lifter is upright, legs straight and the weight motionless, an official will give a DOWN command to end the lift.
