Tag Archives: USAWA Rulebook

Rulebook available on Amazon

8.5x11" rulebook, open to the page with the hang snatch, Kelly snatch, and snatch on knees

To those who enjoy having a physical copy of their books, I am pleased to announce that the 13th (current) edition of the USAWA Rulebook is now available for purchase on Amazon. If you search “USAWA Rulebook” it will pop right up, and you can order a copy for $9.99.

The Amazon version of the rulebook is print-on-demand, meaning that USAWA did not have to front money for a print run, nor will anybody have to store copies of the book or take the time to ship orders. The purchase price is cheaper than we have been able to offer previous printed rulebooks, and as a bonus the USAWA bank account nets $2.78 per copy. The photos included here are of the proof copy; the final copy will not include the “not for resale” banner that you can see across the cover.

The Rulebook is still available in PDF format on our Rulebook page for free, and if you prefer to print your own copy, you are still welcome to do so. I am working on formatting an ebook version that can be purchased on Kindle or loaded onto the e-reader of your choice.

So tell your friends, and order a copy for yourself if you would like. I’m told that reviews on the Amazon website are helpful in keeping books available and easy to find, so consider giving it an honest review (it deserves five stars, right?) if you’re so inclined.

10th Edition Rulebook

By Al Myers

I just got all the updates and editing done for the new USAWA Rulebook 10th Edition. It is now on the website, and I plan to take it to the printers this week to get a few bound hard copies made for sale. However, I’ve found that only a few want hard copies anymore as it’s easier to just view it on the website, and thus you don’t end up with an “out of date” rulebook in a year.

It’s hard to believe that we are up to the 10th Edition.  Since I have been secretary I have updated it each year with the new rules and new lifts that are made each year at the Annual National Meeting of the USAWA.  In the first 22 years of the USAWA there was only 1 update to the original Rulebook, and now we have had 8 updates in 8 years. So either the membership was sitting on their hands and NO CHANGES were made in those early years, or the membership voting decisions were not being put into force.  I would lean towards the later.

Now for a little “trivia” on our USAWA Rulebook:

  • Has 126 pages and over 35,000 words
  • Contains rules for 184 Individual All Lifts
  • Includes the Official Bylaws of the USAWA
  • Includes Scoring Sheets and the Lynch Factor Chart
  • Includes pictures of 108 Lifts
  • Includes pictures of 67 different lifters

I always try to add a few new pictures each year to give illustrations of the lifts being performed. Still over half of the official lifts don’t have a picture with them in the Rulebook.  Early on I put a “cap” on the number of times one individual could be in the Rulebook to spread things around a little.  This limit is three times. This makes it harder for me because there are a few lifters I have many pictures of, and several lifts I have many pictures of.  I welcome people to send me new pictures for future Rulebooks.  So if you want a little “USAWA fame” this is your chance!

These are the lucky few who got in the Rulebook three times: Joe Garcia, Scott Campbell, Al Myers, Denny Habecker, Frank Ciavattone, Chad Ullom, John McKean, Mark Mitchell, Kevin Fulton, Scott Schmidt, Dan Wagman, and LaVerne Myers.

The USAWA Rulebook is something that we should be very proud of. It is the backbone of our organization as it guides us in every competition. With every update it gets a little better, but there are still issues that need addressed with it. As these issues come up during the year they are addressed at the National Meeting and improvements to the Rulebook can be made.

New Rulebook Available!

by Al Myers

USAWA Rulebook 7th Edition

A new, updated USAWA Rulebook is now available.  It is located on the website, under the top heading “Rulebook”. It is available as a pdf download, or available in hard copy form which can be ordered from the USAWA online store.

This is the 7th Edition of the USAWA Rulebook.  Since 2009 there has been an updated Rulebook available every year based on the rule changes that occurred at the Annual Meeting. Before that there were only 2 Rulebooks printed in the previous 20 years plus. The current Rulebook is always the one to follow in terms of the current rules and regulations of the USAWA.  This year only one new official  USAWA lift was added – the Old Time Strongman Lift the Hackenschmidt Floor Press.  The major changes in the Rulebook were the addition of two sections – Official Scoring and National Championships Guidelines.  Both of these sections were very warranted as they contain several of the previous “unwritten rules” of the USAWA, and everyone knows how I dislike unwritten rules!  An appendix was also added which contains the Lynch Factor Chart, weigh-in forms, and meet scoresheets.  The USAWA Bylaws are also included in this Rulebook.

I also added a few new pictures to our great Rulebook.  I feel very good about the progress our Rulebook has made over these past few years.  It is still far from perfect, but at least now when problems are addressed as they occur and decisions are made to rectify the situation – it happens.  I always welcome comments from the membership concerning questions or misunderstanding of statements in the Rulebook if they appear to be confusing.  Only through this diligence can the Rulebook continue to be improved!

New Rulebook Available

by Al Myers

USAWA Rulebook 6th Edition

The new, updated Rulebook is now available on the website.  I’m a little behind on my August 1st deadline, but I have lots of excuses.  I have included the bylaws in this years book, so everything is “nice and tidy” concerning the rules and regulations of the USAWA.  All of the passed agenda items from this year’s National Meeting have been included.  As always, it is free to download it but a printed bound Rulebook comes with a pricetag.  It will continue to be available in the online store.

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