AKC Kettlebell Guidelines


Craig Fingrutd: RKC, AKC, MKC	KettleBellWorks.Com	Izzy Barish: AKC

General Guidelines for AKC Style

(American Kettlebell Club)

The Methodology of Training AKC

AKC is geared towards training for GIREVOY( Kettlebell) sport. As such training is built around the goal of performing Maximum repetitions for a period of time with 10 minutes being a minimum .If it's a one arm exercise such as a snatch or a One Arm Long Cycle there is hand change permitted. Of course a contest can made into anything like how many Jerks and Snatches in combo might be done in 20 minutes. Rules for competition are listed below for two governing bodies of the sport.

The AKC sometimes gets called a soft style, but this is mainly due to an efficiency of technique that comes about through many repetitions and mindfulness to technique. The technique is broken down and studied for performance of efficiency. It also tends to be considered soft in that the breathing is done reverse of most lifters. As the weight is lifted overhead there is an inhalation of breath and as the weight is lowered there is an exhalation of breath. The combination of reverse breathing and detail to perfection of technique makes the lifting more efficient there by enabling the practitioner to lift more over a longer period of time. Belling this way has many benefits such as:

Fat Loss

Toning of Muscles

Strengthening of Joints

Building of Strength

Building of Endurance

Making the body More Injury Proof

Promotes Flexibility

Helps in Other Sport Performance

Builds Mental Fortitude

Increase Work Capacity

Overall Improvement of Health

As "Time Under the Bell" increases ones understanding of the techniques increase which leads to improved performance therby increasing the benifits listed above.

Training is progressive in weight, time, reps per minute (rpm) Through a combination of adding to one category or another there is a progression of getting stronger and developing more Work Capacity. Work Capacity being the ability to work longer, harder, and stronger with less diminished capacity. Either increase the Kettlebell used such as 16kg to a 24kg, increase the reps per minute such as going from 6rpm to 7 or more rpm or increase the time period of performance such as adding another minute to length of time going from 6 minutes to 7 minutes.

Remember that this type of training is for overall body condition and not for Body Building.

Weight
This is obvious though the question becomes is when to add weight. There is also the concept of using a heavier weight every so often but with less reps. This helps to prepare for the added weight when ready to move up. Usually what ever weight you are training at you would start practicing with a heavier weight performing a swing. When ready to move up to that heavier weight move the swing practice to a heavier weight. As for the practice you should not move to a heavier weight until you have become comfortable at the 10 minute mark with that weight and a RPM of 8 to 12. When you move up to a higher weight the RPM comes down to around 6 RPM and you start working up to a higher RPM with that weight. Ideally you should be able to perform for the full 10 minutes.

RPM
The diagrams of a clock represent the times of performing a technique in a minute cycle. Each arrow being when to perform the technique depending on the rpm desired. The purpose is to achieve the goal of a 10 minute workout in a controlled manner. If one goes too fast in the beginning of a set you are too tired to finish. By being disciplined you have a better chance of performing for the desired time. You would start slow at say 6 rpm per minute and once you achieve a 10 minute cycle you would then go to a 7 rpm and after that is achieved you would then go to 8rpm etc. The anchoring of the weight in the rack while waiting for the time to pass is itself an exercise

A time clock and RPM helper. We like to use this combo so we don't have to thing about time. This combination is not allowed in competition

Click here to download and print RPM helpers

Time of performance or progression
Best place to start with is a one arm long cycle and at 6 RPM as a base line. Do one minute per side with whatever weight you feel is right. Lighter is better to start with. You will stay with this weight till you reach the 10 minute mark. Add one minute (30 seconds per side) till you reach the 10 minute mark. Be patient as this could take a while. When you are comfortable with the 6 RPM for 10 minutes increase the RPM by one and drop the length of time to say 6 minutes ( 3 minutes per side) and again add one minute till 10 is reached. Repeat the procedure of adding 1 rpm and dropping the time till you work back up to 10 minutes. For more advanced work you can continue to add minutes to the 10 till you reach the 20 minute mark and a RPM of 12. Once you are comfortable with the one arm techniques you start training the two arm style using the same kind of progression.

The Bell makes the difference
The Fedorenko Kettlebell is a professionally designed Kettlebell. It is always the same size and dimension no matter what the weight. This consistency in the bell gives to constancy of technique which is so important for the high reps. As you move up in weight you don’t have to readjust for the different size bell. It always will lay the same on your arm in the rack and across the heel of the hand. The handle size ( NAKF rules state: "the handle of the kettlebell can be no less than 35 mm (1.38 inches) in diameter or 110 mm in circumference (4.33 inches)" 4 3/4" across; 2 3/8" top to bottom (inside measurement)
allows for the proper position in the hand and where the bell lays on the hip of the hand and the cradle of the arm. The handle is smoother there-by being less abrasive to the hand. The shape of the bell and it’s center of gravity allow you in the clean to keep the elbow into the iliac crest and the bell it self in a cradle between the biceps and forearm which all together combine to protect the deltoids, elbows and shoulders while doing many repetitions.

A lot of slingers will use chalk on the handle especially if doing a few hundred snatches as snatch's can tear the hand up.

The FEDORENKO Kettlebell

	Kg	Lb
Pink	8	18
Blue	12	26
yellow	16	35
Purple	20	44
Green	24	53
Orange	28	62
Red	32	70
Gray	36	79
White	40	88
Silver	44	97
Gold	48	106

The size of an AKC Pro Grade bell is always the same no matter the weight

Techniques of AKC Style
just starting this section please be patient

Six Points of the Rack Position

Kettlebell handle sits against the hip of the palm (heel of hand, pinky side) The handle is at such an angle that there is no space between the wrist and the handle. The first three fingers are tucked and it is only the index and thumb that are need to hold the Kettlebell.
Wrist is relaxed and back
Fingers, except for index, tucked behind bell handle (as if making okay sign)
Arm forms a V to cradle the ball of the bell
Elbow is on the hip (iliac crest), round the back
Knees are straight and hips are forward


Swing


Clean

Jerk Press's

Long Cycle 
 
Snatch

Rules of Sport Kettlebell from two different organizations

According to American Kettlebell Club, May 2008

Which follows the World Kettlebell Club

JERK

The Kettlebell Jerk is defined as Lifting two Kettlebell's overhead from the "Rack" position with use of the legs via a "double-dip" action. The Lifter must first "Clean" the Kettlebells from the floor to the "Rack" one time, but it is legal to adjust the grip before beginning the first repetition by Cleaning the Kettlebells to the shoulders, and then back to the Rack for the start of the performance. A repetition is counted when the arms are first locked out overhead, parallel to the head, followed by the legs being locked out, with a final fixation of the Kettlebells. The Kettlebells must be returned to the rack position before commencing the next repetition. The Lifter may not rest the Kettlebells on top of their shoulders during the performance, however the lifter may adjust their grip on the Kettlebells by rolling the Kettlebells off the shoulders in one continuous movement to the rack position

SNATCH

The Kettlebell Snatch is defined as lifting one Kettlebell overhead from the "Swing" action in one continuous movement. A repetition is counted when the legs are locked out, the working arm is locked out and parallel to the head, with a final fixation of the Kettlebell. The Kettlebell must be returned to the Swing position in one continuous movement, and although the Lifter may Swing the Kettlebell one or multiple times before Snatching, they may not rest with the Kettlebell in a hanging position. The Lifter may not touch the Kettlebell to their body or touch the body with the non-working arm.

LONGCYCLE

The Kettlebell LongCycle is defined as lifting two Kettlebells in two different phases, the "Clean", followed by a "Jerk", to comprise one exercise cycle. In the first phase, the Lifter must Clean the Kettlebells between the legs directly to the Rack position, not to the shoulders. In the second phase, the lifter must Jerk the Kettlebells overhead from that same rack position. A repetition is counted when the arms are first locked out overhead, parallel to the head, followed by the legs being locked out, with a final fixation of the Kettlebells. The Kettlebells are then returned to the rack position, then swung between the legs for another Clean to the rack position and another Jerk. The Lifter may not rest the Kettlebells on top of their shoulders or rest with the Kettlebells in a hanging position during the performance, however the lifter may adjust their grip on the Kettlebells by rolling the Kettlebells off the shoulders in one continuous movement to the rack position.

ONE ARM JERK

The Kettlebell One Arm Jerk is defined as Lifting one Kettlebells overhead from the "Rack" position with use of the legs via a "double-dip" action. The Lifter must first "Clean" the Kettlebell from the floor to the "Rack" one time, but it is legal to adjust the grip before beginning the first repetition by Cleaning the Kettlebell to the shoulder, and then back to the Rack for the start of the performance. A repetition is counted when the arm is first locked out overhead, parallel to the head, followed by the legs being locked out, with a final fixation of the Kettlebell. The Kettlebell must be returned to the rack position before commencing the next repetition. The Lifter may not rest the Kettlebell on top of their shoulder during the performance, however the lifter may adjust their grip on the Kettlebell by rolling the Kettlebells off the shoulder in one continuous movement to the rack position.

ONE ARM LONGCYCLE

The Kettlebell One Arm Long Cycle is defined as lifting one Kettlebell in two different phases, the "One Arm Clean", followed by a " One Arm Jerk", to comprise one exercise cycle. In the first phase, the Lifter must Clean the Kettlebell between the legs directly to the Rack position, not to the shoulder. In the second phase, the lifter must Jerk the Kettlebell overhead from that same rack position. A repetition is counted when the arm is first locked out overhead, parallel to the head, followed by the legs being locked out, with a final fixation of the Kettlebell. The Kettlebell is then returned to the rack position, then swung between the legs in preparation for another Clean to the rack position and then another Jerk. The Lifter may not rest the Kettlebell on top of their shoulder or rest with the Kettlebell in a hanging position during the performance, however the lifter may adjust their grip on the Kettlebell by rolling the Kettlebell off the shoulders in one continuous movement to the rack position

CHAIR PRESS

The Chair Press is defined as lifting two Kettlebells overhead from the rack position without the use of the legs, while sitting in a chair/bench without a back support. The Lifter must first clean the Kettlebells to the shoulders while standing, then sit in the chair/bench, and then return the kettlebells to the rack for the start of the first repetition. A repetition is counted when the arms are first locked out overhead, parallel to the head, with a final fixation of the Kettlebells. The Kettlebells must be returned to the rack position before commencing the next repetition. The Lifter may not rest the Kettlebells on top of their shoulders during the performance, however the lifter may adjust their grip on the Kettlebells by rolling the Kettlebells off the shoulders in one continuous movement to the rack position.

ONE ARM CHAIR PRESS

The One Arm Chair Press is defined as lifting one Kettlebell overhead from the rack position without the use of the legs, while sitting in a chair/bench without a back support. The Lifter must first clean the Kettlebell to the shoulder while standing, then sit in the chair/bench, and then return the kettlebell to the rack for the start of the first repetition. A repetition is counted when the arm is first locked out overhead, parallel to the head, with a final fixation of the Kettlebell. The Kettlebell must be returned to the rack position before commencing the next repetition. The Lifter may not rest the Kettlebell on top of their shoulder during the performance, however the lifter may adjust their grip on the Kettlebell by rolling the Kettlebell off the shoulder in one continuous movement to the rack position.

TERMS & DEFINITIONS

"Rack" Position- The rack position is universal for all exercises. It is defined as the position when the arm(s) are bent and the upper part of the arm is making contact with the torso while holding the Kettlebell(s).

"Swing" Action- The Swing action is defined as a back and forth motion of the arm with the shoulder acting as the hinge.

"Clean"- The Clean is defined as a Swing action of the Kettlebell, catching it in the "Rack" position.

"Double-Dip" Action- The double-dip is defined as a quick two part movement that begins with a short range squat (first dip), followed by a push of the Kettlebell(s) out of the rack, a quick reversal away from the Kettlebell (second dip) as it launches upwards from the push, the arm locks out, and then legs are straightened.

The Jerk from the chest is performed from the initial position that specifies that
the upper arms are pressed against the body and the legs are straight. During
the fixation of the kettlebells overhead the arms, the torso, and the legs must be
straight.

The "Stop" command is issued if the kettlebell(s) are set on the shoulder joint(s)
or the platform, or if the lifter allows the kettlebell(s) to fall from the racked
position - re cleaning the kettlebell(s) is not permitted(short cycle).
A repetition is not counted under the following conditions:

• The jerk is performed as an interrupted movement, i.e. with a press-out or a 2nd Jerk;
• The kettlebells are jerked from the chest alternately;
• The position of the arms changed during the first dip before the jerk;
• *There is no fixation in the starting position or the lockout.

*The long cycle "clean-and-jerk" with lowering of the kettlebells to hang after each repetition follows the same rules.

PROFESSIONAL DIVISION
Men 32kg - Women 20kg
Open Age
Weight Categories:
Men - 55kg, 60kg, 65kg, 70kg, 75kg, 8 0kg, 85kg, 90kg, 90+kg
Women - 50kg, 55kg, 60kg, 65kg, 70kg, 75kg, 75+kg

AMATEUR DIVISION
Men 28kg - Women 16kg
Open Age
Weight Categories:
Men - 55kg, 60kg, 65kg, 70kg, 75kg, 80kg, 85kg, 90kg, 90+kg
Women - 50kg, 55kg, 60kg, 65kg, 70kg, 75kg, 75+kg

MASTER DIVISION
Men 24kg - Women 12kg
40 years and up
No Weight Category

JUNIOR DIVISION
Boys 20kg - Girls 12kg
Up to 20 years of age
No Weight Category

SENIOR DIVISION
Men 16kg - Women 8kg
55 years and up
No Weight Category

YOUTH DIVISION
Boys 12kg - Girls 8kg
Up to 15 years of age
No Weight Category

*note- The age requirements are of the day of competition and will be confirmed by Government ID or Birth Certificate. For example, if you are 15 yrs. and 364 days, you are eligible for the Youth Division. If you are 39 yrs. and 364 days, you are NOT eligible for Masters Division.

Rankings in Sport Kettlebell World Kettlebell Club
New June 2009

To compete at The World Kettlebell Lifting Championship™ a Lifter must be officially and appropriately Ranked within the World Kettlebell Club or receive a Special Invitation. They must also be a Member of World Kettlebell Club (or one of its Affiliate Country Clubs) or pay a fee of $100USD and Register for the Meet before August 21st, Midnight.

To be officially and appropriately Ranked for The World Kettlebell Lifting Championship™ means the Lifter must have submitted performance video and/or received approval and notification of their Rank within WKC. For the World Kettlebell Lifting Championship™, the Lifter must be Rank II to compete M24kg/W12kg Division, Rank I to compete M28kg/W16kg Division and CMS or higher to compete M32kg/W20kg Division for Men and Women Jerk/Snatch (Biathlon) and LongCycle, with the exception of Women’s LongCycle where Rank I must be attained to compete W16kg Division, CMS to compete W20kg Division and MS or higher to compete W24kg Division.

Mens Qualifications Jerk/Snatch Total

	MSWC	MS	CMS	Rank I	Rank II	Rank III	Rank IV
Weight-Class	32kg/70lb	32kg/70lb	28kg/62lb	24kg/53lb	20kg/44lb	16kg/35lb	12kg/26lb
55kg/121lb	62/50+50	38/35+35	38/35+35	38/35+35	38/35+35	38/35+35	38/35+35
60kg/132lb	80/55+55	43/40+40	43/40+40	43/40+40	43/40+40	43/40+40	43/40+40
65kg/143lb	89/60+60	48/45+45	48/45+45	48/45+45	48/45+45	48/45+45	48/45+45
70kg/154lb	99/65+65	53/50+50	53/50+50	53/50+50	53/50+50	53/50+50	53/50+50
75kg/165lb	110/70+70	58/55+55	58/55+55	58/55+55	58/55+55	58/55+55	58/55+55
80kg/176lb	120/75+75	63/60+60	63/60+60	63/60+60	63/60+60	63/60+60	63/60+60
85kg/187lb	126/80+80	68/65+65	68/65+65	68/65+65	68/65+65	68/65+65	68/65+65
90kg/198lb	132/85+85	73/70+70	73/70+70	73/70+70	73/70+70	73/70+70	73/70+70
90kg/198lb+	140/90+90	78/75+75	78/75+75	78/75+75	78/75+75	78/75+75	78/75+75

Mens Qualifications LongCycle

	MSWC	MS	CMS	Rank I	Rank II	Rank III	Rank IV
Weight-Class	32kg/70lb	32kg/70lb	28kg/62lb	24kg/53lb	20kg/44lb	16kg/35lb	12kg/26lb
55kg/121lb	46	28	28	28	28	28	28
60kg/132lb	53	35	35	35	35	35	35
65kg/143lb	60	42	42	42	42	42	42
70kg/154lb	66	49	49	49	49	49	49
75kg/165lb	71	54	54	54	54	54	54
80kg/176lb	76	60	60	60	60	60	60
85kg/187lb	80	64	64	64	64	64	64
90kg/198lb	83	67	67	67	67	67	67
90kg/198lb+	85	69	69	69	69	69	69

Womens Qualifications One Arm Jerk/Snatch Total

	MSWC	MS	CMS	Rank I	Rank II	Rank III	Rank IV
Weight-Class	20kg/44lb	20kg/44lb	16kg/35lb	12kg/26lb	12kg/26lb	8kg/18lb	8kg/18lb
50kg/110lb	60+60/60+60	45+45/45+45	45+45/45+45	45+45/45+45	30+30/30+30	45+45/45+45	30+30/30+30
55kg/121lb	65+65/65+65	50+50/50+50	50+50/50+50	50+50/50+50	35+35/35+35	50+50/50+50	35+35/35+35
60kg/132lb	70+70/70+70	55+55/55+55	55+55/55+55	55+55/55+55	40+40/40+40	55+55/55+55	40+40/40+40
65kg/143lb	75+75/75+75	60+60/60+60	60+60/60+60	60+60/60+60	45+45/45+45	60+60/60+60	45+45/45+45
70kg/154lb	80+80/80+80	65+65/65+65	65+65/65+65	65+65/65+65	50+50/50+50	65+65/65+65	50+50/50+50
75kg/165lb	85+85/85+85	70+70/70+70	70+70/70+70	70+70/70+70	55+55/55+55	70+70/70+70	55+55/55+55
75kg/165lb+	90+90/90+90	75+75/75+75	75+75/75+75	75+75/75+75	60+60/60+60	75+75/75+75	60+60/60+60

Womens Qualifications One Arm LongCycle

	MSWC	MS	CMS	Rank I	Rank IIA	Rank III	Rank IV
Weight-Class	24kg/53lb	20kg/44lb	16kg/35lb	12kg/26lb	12kg/26lb	8kg/18lb	8kg/18lb
50kg/110lb	53+53	53+53	53+53	53+53	38+38	53+53	38+38
55kg/121lb	55+55	55+55	55+55	55+55	40+40	55+55	40+40
60kg/132lb	57+57	57+57	57+57	57+57	42+42	57+57	42+42
65kg/143lb	59+59	59+59	59+59	59+59	44+44	59+59	44+44
70kg/154lb	61+61	61+61	61+61	61+61	46+46	61+61	46+46
75kg/165lb	63+63	63+63	63+63	63+63	48+48	63+63	48+48
75kg/165lb+	65+65	65+65	65+65	65+65	50+50	65+65	50+50

Achieving Rank with the World Kettlebell Club

The World Kettlebell Club is the only Worldwide organization granting Rank in Kettlebell Lifting for all Country Clubs and their Members. The Rank Tables represent the current total repetitions required to qualify for official Rank in each weight class. In order to achieve the Rank a Lifter must prove this level in these ways:

Level VII-IV represents the early stages of development and uses the lighter weight Kettlebell. As one progresses from Level VII through Level IV, they can achieve the Rank by submitting video to the Head Coach of the Country Club they are Members of. The video will, in effect, be judged, and the appropriate Rank given by Email notification.

Level III-MS represents higher levels of achievement using the heavier weight Kettlebell. As one progresses from Level III through I, and on to Candidate of Master of Sport (CMS) and Master of Sport (MS), they can achieve the Rank by physically appearing at a scheduled event of the World Kettlebell Club or any of its Country Clubs and performing this on video and in the presence of the Head Coach. After submitting documentation, the World Kettlebell Club will provide the Lifter with an official Certificate of Rank.

Level MSWC represents the highest achievement of Rank in Kettlebell Lifting; Master of Sport World Class. To achieve such a high Rank, a Lifter must accomplish the required number of repetitions at the annual World Kettlebell Lifting Championships for all to witness. After submitting documentation, the World Kettlebell Club will provide the Lifter with the highest official Certificate of Rank.

*Note: Each achievement of Rank must be performed under the Lifting Rules of the World Kettlebell Club.

According to the International GS Federation rules.

The Rules of Girevoy Sport Competition

I. Competition Classification and Events
Competition Classification
1. Girevoy sport competitions are classified into:
a) Individual;
b) Team;
c) Individual and team combined.
In an individual competition only the personal results of a competitor are
factored in; they determine his place in the meet.
In team and individual/team meets the results of each competitor, as well as
that of his team, are factored in to determine the placement of individual
competitors and teams.
2. The type of each competition is defined in the given meet’s regulations.
Competition Events
There are two types of events in competitions with 12, 16, 24, and 32kg
kettlebells:
• The jerk of two kettlebells from the chest with two arms and the snatch of
a kettlebell with one and then the other arm;
• The jerk of two kettlebells from the chest with two arms with lowering of
the kettlebells to a hang and a clean after each lift (the long cycle C&J).
In men’s division two lift competition first the jerk is performed; the snatch is
performed second.
In women’s division two lift competition the snatch is performed first; jerks are
performed second.
The meet must be organized to allow at a rest period of at least 30 minutes
between the two exercises. (jerks and snatches).
As long as the minimum standard listed above is observed, the exact duration of
the rest period is to be determined by the head referee.
Each weight class must compete within one day.

II. Competitors
The Competitors’ Age
The following groups of athletes are allowed to compete:
• youths (14-18 years of age)
• open(older than 18 years of age)
• masters (over 40 years of age)
A competitor’s age is determined by his/her year of birth (as of Jan 1 of the
current year rather than his actual birthday)

.
Weight Classes
The competitors are divided into the following weight classes:
Youths (in kg) Men, juniors, masters
(in kg)
Women, juniors, masters
(in kg)
55 60 60
60 65 70
65 70 70 +
70 75 -
75 80 -
80 90 -
80 + 90 + -
Each competitor may only compete in one weight class in any given meet.

The Weigh-in Procedure
1. The weigh-in begins two hours before the start of the competition and
lasts an hour.
2. A dedicated room is provided for the weigh-in. The referees and one
official representative from each team are allowed to be present.
3. The weigh-in of the competitors in any given weight class is conducted by
the referees who are about to referee that particular class.
4. Each competitor is weighed in once. A competitor who did not make his
weigh class during the first weigh-in is allowed another weigh-in. Naked
weigh-ins are not mandatory, but no allowances will be given for clothing.
5. During the mandate commission the order in which the competitors will be
lifting is determined by a draw.

The Rights and Responsibilities of a Competitor
1. The competitor must be familiar with the competition rules and the
regulations of the given meet.
2. The competitor may address the referees’ commission only through his
team representative, the captain, or the referee-with-the-competitors.
3. The competitor must observe strict discipline, be respectful to other
competitors, spectators, and referees. A competitor who does not show
up for the rules briefing is removed from the competition.
4. The competitor is forbidden from using any devices that ease lifting of the
kettlebell(s).
5. The competitor has the right to prepare the kettlebells before his attempt.
It is done in a specially designated space visible to the referees.
6. The competitor has the right to endorse a commercial product. He or his
team’s representative needs permission from the host organization and
the referees.

The Competitor’s Outfit
The competitor shall wear shorts and a T-shirt or a lifter’s singlet and athletic
shoes. Briefs must be worn underneath. Weightlifting belts no wider than
10cm(4inches) and wraps no longer than 1.5m are allowed. The wraps may be
applied to an area no wider than 10cm on the wrists and 25cm on the knees.
Wrist and knee braces are allowed.
Only magnesia and/or chalk are allowed in kettlebell preparation.
Belts worn by competitors may not be cushioned, padded, or wrapped to provide
extra support to the lifter.

Team Captains and Representatives
1. Each organization participating in an individual/team or team competition
must have a representative.
2. The representative appointed by the team leader is responsible for the
members’ discipline and showing up at the competition.
3. The representative is present at the weigh-in of his team, at the drawing of
the lot order, and the deliberations of the referees provided the
representatives are allowed to these deliberations.
4. During the competition the representatives must remain in a specially
designated for them area or among the competitors.
5. If a team does not have a representative the team’s captain takes over the
duties.
6. The representative (captain) has the right to address issues and protests
related only to his team’s members to the referees’ body.

III. Equipment
The weight of the kettlebells may not deviate by more than 0.5 KG (+or--) from
the specified weight and the handle of the kettlebell can be no less than 35 mm
(1.38 inches) in diameter or 110 mm in circumference (4.33 inches). The meet
director has the final say as to which bells can be used as well as determining a
method for which lifter uses which of the available bells.
Competitions are held on a platform (flat area).
Meet director(s) shall provide adequate flooring protection as well as a safe,
stable, level lifting surface.

IV. The Referees’ Body
1. The referees’ body is staffed by the organization conducting the given
competition.
2. The referees’ body consists of the chief referee and the referee-fixators
(one per platform).
3. A girevoy sport referee must be very familiar with these rules and know
how to use them in a competition. He must be objective in his decisions,
serve as an example of discipline and organization; he must be familiar
with the regulations for a given meet.
4. The organization conducting the competition will provide a meet
commandant to take care of the competition logistics.

The Chief Referee and his Deputies
1. The chief referee manages the work of the referees’ body. He is
responsible for the following to the organization hosting the meet: good
organization, discipline, and safety of the competition, providing equal
conditions to all competitors, strict adherence to the existing rules,
objective judging, scoring, and tallying of the results.
2. The head referee must:
• Have a meeting with the members of the referees’ body and a
seminar with the representatives regarding the rules of the
competition and the appropriate hardware;
• Together with the jury, determine the tasks of the referees’ body
and the referees;
• Manage the competition and solve any political issues;
• Oversee the referees during the meet and when determining the
winners;
• Rule on any petitions and protests.
• Provide a report and the required documentation to the
organization conducting the competition within five days;
• Schedule and conduct a meeting of the referees’ body in the course
of the competition.
3. The head referee has the right to:
• Change the schedule of the competition should the need arise;
• Disallow the competitors whose technical preparation, dress code, or
equipment does not meet the requirements specified in the rules or the
regulations for the given meet.
4. The head referee’s deputy follows the directions of the head referee. In
case of the latter’s absence, the former performs the latter’s
responsibilities.
Note: The chief referee has no right to change the established competition
procedure.

The Chief Secretary of the Meet
1. The chief secretary performs the following duties:
• Prepares the necessary technical documentation and assures that
it is proper;
• Makes protocols of the meetings of the referees’ body and files the
directions and decisions of the head referee;
• With the head referee’s permission passes on information about the
competition to the referee-announcer, team representatives, and
the media;
• Logs new records;
• Processes all the competition paperwork;
• Presents the head referee with the materials necessary for the
referee’s report;
• Keeps track and records the decisions on protests.

The Platform Referee
The platform referee performs the following duties:
• Conducts the weigh-in of the competitors of the weight class he is
responsible for judging;
• Assures the proper appearance and dress code of each competitor;
• Loudly and clearly announces the number of legally performed repetitions;
• Announces technically incorrect lifts with “No count”;
• Loudly announces the final result of each competitor in each lift.
Note. At international competitions and national championships each platform
gets appointed two referees; one is the senior and he keeps the score. His
assistant counts the repetitions and makes the protocol. The final result is
determined by a joint decision of both referees.

The Secretary
The secretary performs the following duties:
• Fills out the competitors’ cards at the weigh-in (the weigh-in protocol) and
makes a protocol of the competition for the given weight class on the
platform;
• Calls competitors to the platform and gives a heads up to the competitors
whose turn is coming up.
The Referee-Announcer
The referee-announcer performs the following duties:
• Announces the decisions of the jury;
• Announces the results of the competition to the competitors and the
spectators.

The Referee-with-the-Competitors
The referee-with-the-competitors performs the following duties:
• Makes a roll call of the competitors, checks their dress code, and presents
the results of the inspection to the head secretary;
• Lines up the competitors and introduces them in the order of their draw;
• Notifies the competitors that it is their time to enter the platform in a timely
fashion;
• Acts as an intermediary between the competitors and the referees’ body;
• Observes the preparation of the kettlebells.

The Technical Inspector
The technical inspector performs the following duties:
• Weighs the kettlebells together with the chief referee’s deputy and makes
a protocol of their correspondence to the competition rules;
• Is in charge of the technical condition of the kettlebells and equipment.
The Meet Commandant (Director)
The meet commandant is responsible for timely preparation of the equipment
(platforms, kettlebells, scales, etc.), places of competition, places for the
competitors, spectators, referees, and the media. He is responsible for the
space layout. He provides the technical means, banners, logos, etc. for the
competitors’ presentation and takes orders from the chief referee and the
representative of the host organization.
NOTE: if necessary (due to manpower limitations), the responsibilities of
the positions of chief referee, chief secretary, secretary, announcer, referee
with competitors, and technical inspector will be fulfilled by the meet
director(s)
ALL COMPETITORS MUST SIGN LIABILTY WAIVERS AND RELEASE
FORMS PROVIDED BY MEET DIRECTOR(S)

V. The Rules of the Lifts’ Performance
General Provisions
1. 2 min before his attempt the competitor is called to the platform. A ten
second countdown is given –10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 –and is followed by
the “Start” command.
2. The competitor is allowed 10 min per lift. The referee-secretary
announces every minute. After 9 min he announces 30 sec, 50s etc, and
each of the last five seconds.
3. The “Stop” command is issued after 10min. The repetitions performed
afterwards are not counted; the competitor must terminate the attempt.
4. The referee on the platform announces every legally performed repetition.
5. If the repetition is not technically acceptable, the referee on the platform
gives the “No count” command and continues counting the legally
performed repetitions.
6. A competitor is forbidden to talk during his attempt.

The Jerk
The jerk from the chest is performed from the initial position that specifies that
the upper arms are pressed against the body and the legs are straight. During
the fixation of the kettlebells overhead the arms, the torso, and the legs must be
straight.
The “Stop” command is issued if the kettlebell(s) are set on the shoulder joint(s)
or the platform, or if the lifter allows the kettlebell(s) to fall from the racked
position – re cleaning the kettlebell(s) is not permitted(short cycle).
A repetition is not counted under the following conditions:
• The jerk is performed as an interrupted movement, i.e. with a press-out or
a second jerk;
• The kettlebells are jerked from the chest alternately;
• The position of the arms changed during the first dip before the jerk;
• There is no fixation in the starting position or the lockout.
The long cycle clean-and-jerk with lowering of the kettlebells to hang after each
repetition follows the same rules.

The Snatch
The lift is performed in one movement. The competitor must lift the kettlebell with
one uninterrupted movement and pause with it overhead with his arm straight.
The arm, the legs, and the torso must be straight during the fixation.
Following the fixation the competitor must lower the kettlebell for the next
repetition without allowing it to come in contact with his torso.
The "Stop" command is issued under the following conditions:
• The kettlebell is set on the shoulder*
• The kettlebell is set on the platform.
The lift is not counted if:
• The lift is finished with a press-out;
• There is a lack of fixation overhead; the free arm or some other part of
body touches the platform, the kettlebell, the working arm, the legs, or the
torso.

*The kettlebell MAY be lowered to the shoulder before switching hands; when
switching the kettlebell it is permissible to grip the handle with both hands during
the exchange.

VI. Determining the Winners
The winner in each weight class is determined by the highest total in both lifts. In
the men’s division the snatch the score is determined by adding the number of
reps performed with each arm and dividing by two. Example: 40 right + 38 left
=78, 78/2=39. In the women’s division the snatch score is determined by adding
the totals reps performed with each arm. Example 35 right + 35 left =70.
If several athletes have the same total, the advantage goes to the following:
• The competitor who had the lighter weight at the weigh-in;
• The competitor who lifted earlier as determined by the draw;
• The competitor who has the lighter weight following the competition.
The representative of the team of the competitor in question may protest a
decision of the referee of the platform; it must be given to the jury before the next
competitor enters the platform. The competition is stopped for the duration.
A competitor who received zero points in the jerk is not allowed to snatch.
In a team competition the winner is determined by the highest number of points
by the participating competitors. The points are calculated according to the rules
specified in the meet’s regulations (according to the M. V. Starodubtsev’s table,
based on the places in the competition, the total of all lifts, etc.).

 
Last update 09/20/09