ESPF
Picture

RULES

Picture
Special Olympian
Disabled            
High School
Law & Fire
  

All eligible in any weight class or division

General Rules of the Eastern States Powerlifting Federation (ESPF)


1- POWERLIFTING EVENT

The Eastern States Powerlifting Federation recognizes the following lifts: squat, bench and deadlift (either singularly or total).


2- AGE CATEGORIES & EVENTS:

2-1. Youth 9-10 & 11-12, Teen 13-16 & 17-19, Junior 20-23, Submasters 35-39, Masters 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, 80-89, 90-99 in ten year increments (Records are kept in 5 year increments in the masters division), Open from 13 years upward (open to all lifters).

2-2. All Police/Fire/Military category lifters must be current or former employee at the time that you compete in a ESPF meet. You must show proof to compete in this category.

2-3. Collegiate lifters must be current college athletes between 20-23 years of age.

2-4. Full Power – squat, bench & deadlift combines for total.

2-5. Bench only – for lifters that want to compete in the bench press only event.

2-6. Deadlift only- for lifters that want to compete in the deadlift only event.

2-7. Squat only – for lifters that want to compete in the squat only event.


3- BODYWEIGHT CATEGORIES, WILKS FORMULA AND TEAMS

3-1. Girls and Women classes start at 80 pounds (youth only).

3-2. The formula used in all ESPF meets to determine best or outstanding lifters is Wilks.

3-3. Teams- Each team is allowed a maximum of twelve (12) lifters and a minimum of three (3) lifters. Your team can consist of lifters in the same division or different divisions. You can not have more than three (3) lifters in the same weight class on your team. All rosters must be handed in right after the morning weigh-ins is completed, otherwise your team will be considered for a forfeit.

3-4. Point scoring for teams- If a lifter finishes in the following places, your team will receive the following points. Once the meet is complete, all the points will be added up and the team with the most points will win. 12pts for first place, 9pts for second place, 8pts for third place, 7pts for fourth place, 6pts for fifth place, 5pts for sixth place, 4pts for seventh place, 3pts for eighth place, 2pts for ninth place, and 1pt for tenth place.


4- ATTIRE All attire must be clean and not torn or soiled in any way

4-1. All lifters in the squat and bench press events must have on a full t-shirt with sleeves, no tank tops or sleeveless shirts. Lifters that are participating in the deadlift have the option of wearing a t-shirt. Your shirt cannot have pockets, collars, zippers or profanity.

4-2. Spandex pants and biker shorts are not allowed under your suits. Leotards and aerobic type suits are not allowed.

4-3. Socks can be any color and you must wear shoes to deadlift. Full length tights or stockings are not permitted.

4-4. Wraps- Knee wraps can be a maximum of 2.5 meters or 98.4 inches. Wrist wraps can be a maximum of 1 meter or 39.8 inches. Ace bandages cannot be used as wraps.

4-5. Suits- All lifters must have on a one piece suit or wrestling singlet at all times, with straps in the upward over the shoulder position. Shorts are not allowed on the platform.

4-6. Shirts- Under Armour or compression type material is not allowed in the raw division. Raw lifters must wear a cotton and/or polyester t-shirt in the squat and bench press events.

4-7. No other type of apparatus can be worn on the arms or legs except wraps and sleeves.

4-8. A four inch belt can be worn (Velcro belts are allowed) and it must be worn on the outside of the suit. Buckles and quick release are allowed. Six inch wide belts are not allowed.

4-9. Raw/Unequipped Standards

Raw/unequipped lifting is defined as using only the following gear and accessories, as previously described: (a) non-supportive singlet, (b) cotton or polyester t-shirt, © cotton briefs, (d) socks, (e) belt with a maximum of 4” in the back, (f) shoes, (g) wrist wraps a maximum of 36”, (h) knee sleeves without tightening, (I) knee wraps a maximum of 2.5 meter.

4-10. No under armor, compression shirts, shorts or leg sleeves are allowed.

4-11. Singly ply lifters can wear only a one (1) ply suit and no supportive briefs. One (1) ply bench shirts are allowed and the shirts can be made of poly or denim. Shirts must be closed completely, a velcro fastener is allowed to fasten it. The neck cannot be reinforced with heavy wiring or stitching of any type. A four (4) inch belt can be worn and must be worn on the outside of the suit. Standard knee and wrist wraps are allowed. Erector shirts can be worn in the deadlift and squat events. One (1) ply deadlift suits are allowed. No type of canvas equipment is allowed and the sleeve of the bench shirt cannot cover the elbow. Also, t-shirts cannot be worn under your bench shirts.

4-12. Lifters will have their equipment checked periodically by a ESPF official throughout the meet. If a piece of equipment has not been recorded or is illegal, the lifter will receive a warning. If it happens a second time, the lifter will be disqualified from the meet.

4-13. Shin guards are now legal in the deadlift, but they must be inspected first. Shin guards must be worn on the inside of your socks.

4-14. Deadlift straps and gloves are not permitted.

4-15. Sneakers, work boots, deadlift slippers and wrestling shoes are permitted.

4-16. T-shirts with ESPF are permitted along with your gym shirt. T-shirts can be short sleeve only. Tank tops are not allowed, except on the deadlift platform. You cannot wear a short with a collar or thermal/sweatshirt. T-shirts only.

4-17. Legal head wear includes- bandanas, elastic headbands, beanie, toboggan or a close fitted skull cap. No thick winter skull caps, baseball caps, or loose fitting caps are allowed.

4-18. Elbow sleeves are allowed in the squat and deadlift, but not in the bench press. Knee wraps, knee braces and ace bandages are allowed in the bench press for lifters with knee problems.

4-19. Athletic supporters or standard cotton nylon briefs of a single ply shall be worn be worn under the lifting suit. Swimming, boxer shorts, shorts, or any other garment with legs or made of rubberized or similar stretch material or that act as a girdle is not allowed. These garments may not be supportive or extend past the hips or the navel.


5- CONDUCT

5-1. We expect all lifters and coaches to act in a professional manner at all times. No profanity or abusive language is allowed. A warning will be issued first, then a disqualification from the meet will follow. We will not tolerate lifters and coaches using profanity in the warm-up area or anywhere in the contest facility. Lifters can ask a ESPF official about a red card as long as it is done properly and it does not delay the contest in any way. Any coach or lifter that disrupts the contest in any way will be disqualified and removed from the contest immediately.


6- ATTEMPTS

6-1. Lifters have 10 minutes before the meet start to change their first attempt or if you are in another flight other than flight one, you have until the flight ahead of you reaches round three to change your attempt.

6-2. Full meet lifters cannot change their second or third attempt in the squat or bench press. Specialists can change their second and third attempts one time.

6-3. Lifters must submit their next attempt one minute after the completion of their previous lift. If you do not, you will go back into the rotation with the same lift or forfeit your lift.

6-4. Lifters are allowed to change their third attempt in the deadlift until they are on deck if they are going for the win (attempts can INCREASE but not DECREASE). You can change one attempt in each lift as long as you are not the next lifter up, on deck, in the hole or the number four lifter. You must be five (5) out or more.

6-5. Lifters must leave the platform no more than 30 seconds after their attempt.

6-6. Lifters must leave the platform by themselves. If a lifter cannot leave the platform by themselves, the head official or meet director will evaluate the lifter to determine if he or she can continue in the meet. The head judge or meet director has the final decision not the lifter.

6-7. Each lifter will receive three (3) attempts for each event and you must make one (1) attempt to stay in the contest. If you miss all of your attempts you will be out of the contest.

6-8. You must make a 5 pound jump minimum for your next attempt if your previous attempt was successful. ESPL does not use chip plates.

6-9. Lifters that enter the raw and single ply divisions in the same meet will receive four (4) total attempts. You can use you attempts any way you choose, but you must lift raw first and then go single ply. In order to stay in the contest, you will have to make attempt in each format.

6-10. Lifters have 1 minute to remove the bar from the rack or start the pull from the floor after the bar is called LOADED. If you do not move the bar within this time limit your life will not count.


7- COACHES

7-1. Lifters are allowed one coach on the platform to hand-off during the bench press, a warning will be issued first then a lift will be taken away next if more than one spotter is on the platform without permission of the official. For attempts with 500 pounds or more, we will allow a coach to stay on the platform to assist the spotters if the lifter can not complete the lift. In some cases, we will have 4 spotters on the platform to assist a lifter if the lifter can not complete the lift. The only people that will be allowed around the platform at all times are ESPL officials and staff. Coaches are allowed to back spot ONLY in the squat if there is a shortage of spotters for that particular meet and this will be announced at each event. Coaches can also assist their lifters in the squat by determining depth for them but they must remain in the coaches box.

7-2. Coaches can help their lifters get ready in the warm up area to step on the platform or if they have designated chairs near the platform for lifters they can be helped in this area also. There are no other areas around the platform where you can get your lifters ready. We do not want lifters coming out of the audience and stepping on the platform.

7-3. Lifters that have more than two (2) coaches in the warm up room or more than one coach near the platform will be warned first and then a disqualified lift for a second offense.


8- RECORDS

8-1. ESPF State and American records can be set at any ESPF event.

8-2. 4th attempt record attempts will be allowed, but the lifter must make his/her 3rd attempt.

8-3. In order to break a record in a certain class or division, you must first life in that class or division to break the record.

8-4. Lifters are allowed to weigh-in the evening before an event and will be able to set records in their weight class.


9- OTHER RULES

9-1. Ammonia capsules are allowed but can not be used on the platform. You must discard them before you step on the platform.

9-2. The use of oil, grease or lubricants on the body or equipment is forbidden. Baby powder and chalk are the only substances that can be used in competition.

9-3. An overhand or reverse grip must be taken during the bench press (34” maximum) and your index finger can be one inch outside the rings. Positive grips are to be used where your thumbs are completely wrapped around the bar. False grips are not allowed.

9-4. If you have an open wound on your body, you must bandage the wound before your next attempt. We will not allow anyone on the platform with open wounds or cuts. Tape is allowed on the socks to keep your socks up to cover a wound in the deadlift. A first aid kit is always on site in the warm up area.

9-5. Video cameras will not be allowed around the rear platform area or the warm up room. You can only video tape from the audience. Instant replay will not be used for any reason at all at ESPL events.

9-6.Weigh-ins will be conducted the night before the event for one hour and/or the day of the event for one hour. The morning weigh-in will take place at least 2 hours before the event will start. Early weigh-ins will not always take place at ESPL events and it is not mandatory. Please check your contest applications for weigh-in times. Lifters are allowed to weigh-in with clothes on, but we will not take any pounds off for your clothes. You can weigh-in in the nude or with socks/underwear and t-shirts only. The only people allowed in the weigh-in room are the lifters (maximum 3 at a time), lifters coach and the weigh-in officials. Once you officially weigh-in and/or your attempts are recorded, you will not be allowed to weigh-in again. Lifters can only compete in one weight class. You can not weigh-in one weight class and then come back to weigh-in another weight class. If you do not make weight, you will be allowed to weigh-in once again, as long as it is within the weigh-in time limits. If 2 lifters complete the same total at the end of the meet, the lighter lifted will win. If 2 lifters weigh-in the same once the meet starts and both lifters complete the same total, both lifters will be reweighed and the lighter lifter will win.


10- RULES OF PERFORMANCE

SQUAT

The lifter will unrack the weight with knees locked. The lifter will then give a signal to the judge to let him know that he is ready. Once you relay your signal to the judge that you are ready, you will receive the SQUAT signal. You must squat below parallel where the top of the hip joint is below the top of the knee joint. You will then come out of the deep squat position with your knees locked in the finished position. The judge will then tell you to RACK the weight. The spotters will assist you in getting the weight back into the rack.

Cause for disqualification include:

1- Foot movement or any steps after you receive the signal to squat.

2- Knees not being locked before and after the lift.

3- The bar being placed 2 inched below the deltoid or rolling the bar down your back while performing the lift.

4- Not obeying the squat and rack commands.

5- The body going down once you start upward and no double bouncing.

6- Elbows touching the thighs while squatting.

7- Failure to squat below parallel.

8- Any intentional dumping of the bar.

9- Failure to make a bona fide attempt to put a weight back in the rack.

10- Having your hands on the sleeves of the bar or touching the plates.

Note- lifters are allowed to lift with their feet flat or on their toes but your feet must remain in the same position throughout the entire lift. Lifters are not allowed to lift on their heels.

Your head is allowed to be on or off the bench during your attempt.

Wrist wrap thumb loops can be on the thumbs or off the thumbs, whichever you prefer.


DEADLIFT

The lift will start once the lifter unrack the weight. Once the weight is out of the rack, you must lock your arms and then bring the bar down and touch your chest (or no lower than the sternum/top of abdominal area). Once the bar stops and is motionless you will receive the PRESS signal. You must then press the weight back up with your arms in the locked position. Once you are locked out the judge will tell you to RACK the weight.

Cause for disqualification include:

1- Intentional contact between the uprights and the bar.

2- Seesawing or uneven lockout.

3- Excessive foot movement or any shifting of the feet.

4- Lifting of the buttocks off the bench.

5- Not locking the arms after receiving a hand-off or when you take the bar off the rack.

6- The bar going downward after you make an attempt to press upward.

7- Failure to lock out completely.

8- Not waiting for the press signal and rack signal.

9- Sinking the bar into your chest or heaving the bar after the press signal is given.

10- Any contact with the bench supports with your feet.

11- Bringing the bar down below the sternum area.

Note- lifters are allowed to lift with their feet flat or on their toes, but your feet must remain in the same position throughout the entire lift. Lifters are not allowed to lift on their heels.

Your head is allowed to be on or off the bench during your attempt.

Wrist wrap thumb loops can be on the thumbs or off the thumbs, whichever you prefer.


DEADLIFT

The lifter will begin the lift once he starts the initial pull from the floor. The lift will be considered complete once the lifter is standing straight, with shoulders, hips and knees straight and erect. The head referee will then give the DOWN signal. The lifter will then set the weight back down on the floor with both hands under control.

Cause for disqualification include:

1- Any shifting or movement of the feet.

2- Hitching

3- Any excessive knee bending to supporting of the bar on the thighs.

4- Not being completely locked out with shoulder straight and knees locked.

5- Any downward movement once you start upward with the bar.

6- Double knee lock.

7- Not waiting for the down signal.

8- Dropping the weight, driving the weight down or not controlling the weight after the down signal.


11-APPROVED EQUIPMENT

Any singlet made by Inzer, Titan, Metal, and Crain is allowed. If you have equipment that is not listed, please email us at [email protected] for verification.