1. The lifter shall face the front of the platform. The bar shall be held horizontally across the upper chest; hands, thumb and fingers gripping the bar, and the top of the bar not more than the thickness of the bar above the outer edge of the shoulders. The hands may be positioned anywhere on the bar inside the racks before the bar is removed from the racks by the lifter.

2. After removing the bar from the racks, (the lifter may be aided in removal of the bar from the racks by the spotter / loaders) the lifter must move backwards to establish the starting position on his/her own. When the lifter is motionless, erect with knees locked, head and chin up and the bar properly positioned the Head Referee will give the signal to begin the lift. The signal shall consist of an upward movement of the hand and the audible command “Press”. Before receiving the signal to “Press” the lifter may make any position adjustments within the rules, without penalty. For reasons of safety the lifter will be verbally requested to replace the bar, together with a forward movement of the arm if after a period of five seconds he/she is not in the correct position to begin the lift. The Head Referee will then convey the reason why the signal to “Press” was not given.

3. Once the press command is given the lifter must bring the bar up to the fully pressed position (bar above the head with elbows fully locked). The knees must remain locked throughout the entire lift. The lifter’s body cannot bend backwards having the bar go past the lifter’s centre of gravity.

4. When the lifter has reached the finished position the Head Referee’s signal shall consist of a downward movement of the hand and the verbal command “Down”. The signal will not be given until the bar is held motionless and the lifter is in the apparent finished position.

5. At the completion of the lift, the knees shall be locked and the lifter must have returned the bar to the same position as at the start of the lift and the lifter will need to wait for the signal to replace the bar to the racks. The Head Referee’s signal will consist of a backward motion of the hand and the verbal command “Rack”.

6. The legs and hips may not be used in any way for momentum to complete the lift. The lifter may not lean back past the lifter’s centre of gravity to assist in bringing the weight up. Any thrusting of the legs or hips for momentum is not allowed. The feet cannot move back or forward to stabilize the lifter throughout the lift.

7. Any rising of the bar or any deliberate attempt to do so will count as an attempt.

8. The lifter may, at the Head Referee’s discretion, be given an additional attempt at the same weight if failure in an attempt was due to an error by one or more of the loaders.

9. If anatomically at the starting position of the press, the lifter’s arms hold the top of the bar higher than the thickness of the bar above the outer edge of the shoulders, the lifter must inform the Head Referee prior to their first attempt.

​Causes for Disqualification​

1. Any downward movement of the bar before it reaches the final position.

2. Failure to stand erect with the knees locked.

3. Any thrusting of the legs or hips for momentum.

4. Failure to lock the elbows at the completion of the lift.

5. Upon commencement of the press the lifter cannot arch backwards so that the bar goes past the buttocks.

6. Stepping backward or forward, although rocking of the feet between ball and heel is permitted.

7. Lowering the bar or racking the bar before receiving the Head Referee’s signal.

8. Failure to comply with any of the items outlined under Rules of Performance for the Press.