The Lifts

Competition Procedure

Judging

Common Errors

The Lifts

Two lifts are contested in weightlifting, the snatch and the clean-and-jerk. Medals are sometimes given to the top three lifters in each individual lift category and always for the overall total (best snatch plus best clean-and-jerk). Final placing is based on a lifter's total. At the Olympic Games, medals are awarded only for total.

Snatch: The snatch is the more technical and more explosive of the two lifts. It is performed in one continuous movement: the bar is brought from the platform to a position overhead using one fluid motion. The lifter pulls the bar to about chest height and then, in the moment before the bar starts to descend, pulls their body into a squat position under the bar, securing it overhead - arms held straight. The lifter must then stand and wait for the referees' signal, called a "down" signal, to lower the bar. The down signal is usually indicated by the sounding of a horn.

Clean-and-Jerk: More weight is lifted in the clean-and-jerk than in the snatch, and two separate efforts are involved as opposed to one. For the "clean," the lifter must pull the weight from the platform to his shoulders in one motion. The bar is pulled to about waist level keeping it close to the body; close enough for the bar to brush the thighs. Then, before the bar starts to descend, the lifter pulls their body beneath the bar, secures the bar on the shoulders or chest, and then stands erect. The "jerk" then follows in which the lifter thrusts the bar from the shoulders to a position overhead, again in one motion, and splits their legs front and back. The lifter then brings their feet together and awaits the signal from the referee to lower the bar.

NOTE: In both lifts, the bar must be held overhead until the referees' down signal. The down signal is given once the lifter is motionless.

Total: A lifter's total represents the combined weight of the best snatch and clean-and-jerk. If a lifter has lifted 80 kg in the snatch, and 110 kg in the clean-and-jerk, the total is 190 kg.

Competition Procedure

Each weightlifter has three chances to successfully perform each lift. If a lifter misses all three opportunities in the snatch, he/she is allowed to continue in the clean-and-jerk, but is ineligible for final placing. Only the heaviest successful snatch and clean-and-jerk are used when tabulating final score (total).

The amount of weight each individual lifter chooses to start with determines the lifting order for the competition (lightest to heaviest). In the case of identical weight requests, the order is determined by lot numbers. Since starting weight is up to the individual lifter, a 64 kg lifter could lift before a 59 kg lifter if the weight requested by the 64 kg lifter is less than that requested by the 59 kg lifter. This may occur when two or more categories compete at one time.

The weight lifted must increase by a minimum of 2.5 kg for each attempt. When attempting to break a national or world record, the weight increase may be as little as .5 kg (although only the nearest multiple of 2.5 kg may be counted towards the total). Each lifter has a 60-second time limit in which to approach the platform and begin the lift. If the lifter is making consecutive attempts, two minutes are allowed between lifts.

If upon completion of a weight class, two lifters have identical totals, the lifter with the lower bodyweight is awarded the higher place.

Judging

Three referees judge each lift - a head referee who sits directly in front of the platform and two side referees. Each referee controls a red light and a white light. White indicates a good lift, red an illegal lift. Majority rules when the officials disagree. The activation of two like signals will set off a horn, or "down" signal, telling the lifter to lower the barbell. The "down" signal may be activated prior to the conclusion of a lift, rendering the lift invalid if two referees observe an error.

General Rules for All Lifts

The technique known as "hooking" is permitted. It consists of covering the last joint of the thumb with the other fingers of the same hand at the moment of gripping.

In all lifts, pulling from the "hang" is forbidden.

In all lifts, touching the bar against the legs shall not render the lift "No Lift."

In all lifts, the referee must count as "No Lift" any unfinished attempt in which the bar has arrived at the height of the knees.

In all lifts, if the bar stops in its upward path before arriving at the shoulders (clean) or arms' length (snatch and jerk), the attempt shall be rendered "No Lift."

The use of grease, water or any similar lubricant of any kind on the thighs is forbidden. The lifter who uses lubricants will be ordered to remove them. During the removal the clock will run.

In all lifts, touching the platform with any part of the body other than the feet shall render the attempt "No Lift."

Any clean in which the bar is placed on the chest before the turning over of the elbows shall render the attempt "No Lift."

Any clean touching the thighs or knees with the elbows or upper arms shall render the attempt "No Lift."

In the jerk, any apparent effort from the shoulders, if the lift is not completed, must be counted as "No Lift." This includes lowering the body or bending the knees.

After the referees' signal to replace the bar on the platform, the lifter must lower the bar and not let it drop either deliberately or accidentally. The lifter may release his grip when the barbell has passed below the level of the waist.

If a competitor cannot fully stretch their arm resulting from anatomical deformation of his elbows he must report this fact to the three referees and the jury before the beginning of the competition.

Common Errors

Press Out: This happens when an athlete bends their arms while holding the bar overhead and then presses out to make them straight.

Touching the Platform: A lifter may touch the ground with their feet, but no other part of the body is allowed to touch the platform.

Failure to Control the Bar: A lifter must have the bar under complete control prior to the down signal.

In the Clean: Touching the arm or elbow on the knee or leg is not allowed.