Basic Rules continued

Additional Equipment continued:

Weightlifting belts are also recommended particularly for double jerk events. If you choose to wear a belt, it
cannot be used to assist the lift in any way. Resting the elbows on the belt or using it to launch the weight is not
permitted and will result in a Stop at the Judge's discretion. It's strictly up to the lifter to convince the judge they
are not using the belt illegally, and they should consult the judge in the minutes before the performance to
clarify that judge's standards of proper use.
Specs:
Belt: <12 cm wide, <8 mm thick. Only weight lifting or kettlebell lifting belts allowed
Chalk: Magnesium (athletes must bring their own chalk)
Wrist or Elbow wraps: <1.5 meters long and 10 cm wide
Knee wraps: <25 cm wide
Kettlebells:
Only kettlebells supplied by the organisers of this event may be used, NO kettlebells are to be brought into the
premises by individual athletes. All kettlebells will be weighed before each event.

Judging
Before the flight commences the judge should first take a moment to inspect the lifter and their equipment.
A large stopwatch clock will be displayed so as to be visible to all platforms and a verbal countdown will be
given to the lifters to commence the flight e.g. 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, START. Once the countdown has begun the
athletes should not touch the bells until “2” and should not lift the bells from the platform until the “START”
instruction is heard. After the START command the athlete has 60seconds to begin lifting, to not start lifting
within this time results in disqualification.
The judge will count when the athlete performs a satisfactory repetition (see below for descriptions as to
what constitutes a satisfactory rep for each lift). The total count will appear on a screen in front of the lifter.
In the event of a malfunction of the screens the judges will issue a verbal count.

The judge should do their best to determine the lockout and final fixation, and develop a count rhythm if the
lifter continues to show control so as to not hold them. If the lifter is unable to stop movement of the kettlebell
quickly, the Judge may delay them until such time they fix the kettlebell by withholding the count. If the lifter
returns the kettlebells from lockout and fixation before the judge issues the count, the repetition can be
judged "no-count". If the lifter doesn’t complete a repetition correctly then the judge will call a "no-count". It
is up to the lifter to determine determine the cause of the foul and correct it. The judge’s decision is final.

No Counts & Stops

Some specific reasons why a verbal “no-count” may be given:
• Not separating the clean during long cycle. Clean must be completed with knees locked out before jerk begins.
• The kettlebells are Jerked from the chest alternately, i.e. one at a time (applies to 2 arm jerk and long cycle).
• Kettlebells are ‘pressed out’ i.e. the lifter straightens their legs before their arms are straight then completes
the rep by pressing the kettlebell up. The arms should always straighten before the knees are locked out.
• Doing two jerks in a row in long cycle (i.e. without a clean between)
• Re-adjusting or attempting to re-insert hands in rack
• Holding the handles of the bells together in over head fixation holding handles of bells (in 2 arm jerk & long cycle)
•There is no fixation in the starting position or the overhead position (applies to all lifts)
Fixation is the final factor in a judge issuing a count. It is not necessary to completely “lock” the elbow to get
proper alignement in lockout, as athletes have varying degrees of flexibility, but the shoulders should be back
such that the arms are not in front of the head, and a noticeable pause in movement of the kettlebells and
lifter’s body, without wobble or bounce, must be displayed.

Some specific reasons why a verbal “stop” may be given (disqualification):

• In rack the arm(s) are raised from the torso such that the kettlebell(s) come up to shoulder height
• The lifter allows the kettlebell(s) to fall from the racked position (applies to jerk only)
• In the case of one hand lifts if the lifter touches the kettlebell or assists with the other free hand
• In snatch if the athlete performs a swing between snatches, or swings more than once when changing hand
• Athlete gets three no-counts in a row

If a verbal “no-count” is given, the Lifter must return to rack and determine on their own what the cause of
the foul was and correct it.

If a verbal stop is given, the lifter must set the kettlebell(s) down and remove themselves from the platform
area immediately until such time the other competitors finish and their time runs out. The lifter's results will be
frozen at the time of the violation.

ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE CONTACT: girevoysportsunion@gmail.com

 The Lifts
Jerk:
The Kettlebell Jerk is defined as Lifting two (or one in one arm jerk) 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 before jerking. 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, it is permissible to "clean" the Kettlebells to the shoulder(s) on the
initial start of the jerk only. Rack for lifters using two bells means both elbows mush be in contact with the torso,
i.e. side rack is allowed but not to the extent that the elbow lifts up to lose contact with the body or the
kettlebell(s) rest on the shoulder.
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 and there is a final fixation of the Kettlebell. The Kettlebell must be returned to the Swing position in
one continuous movement, the lifter 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. To changeover hands the lifter
may drop the kettlebell to rack and change with one swing, or change with no drop to rack and an extra
swing.
Long Cycle:
The Kettlebell LongCycle is defined as lifting two (one in one arm long cycle) Kettlebell(s) in two different
phases, the "Clean", followed by a "Jerk", to comprise one repetition. In the first phase, the Lifter must clean the
Kettlebells to the rack position. 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 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.
Rack for lifters using two bells means both elbows mush be in contact with the torso, i.e. side rack is allowed but
not to the extent that the elbow lifts up to lose contact with the body or the kettlebell rests on the shoulder.

Definitions
Swing :
The swing action is defined as a back and forth motion of the arm with the shoulder acting as the hinge.
Clean:
The clean action is defined as a swing action of the kettlebell, catching it in the rack position.
Double Dip:
The double-dip action is defined as a quick two part movement that begins with a short range squat (first dip),
followed by a push/bump 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.

Conduct
The Lifter should respect fellow Competitors, Judges and the Audience. No profanity should be used, and any
disputes should be directed to the Head Judge for future Competitions. Lifters should report to the platform
area after the completion of the previous lifters performance. Kettlebells should be prepared ready for the flight
start time and the judge inspection. Dropping the kettlebells out of control should be avoided and any
purposeful dropping at the conclusion of the performance could result in cancellation from future events as a
matter of safety.

Drugs Policy
As kettlebell sport is becoming very competitive around the world, it has become necessary for drug testing.
If required an athlete must submit to a drug test on the day of the competition, failure to do so will mean
immediate disqualification from this competition and may hinder your participation in further events.
The GSU is a drug-free organisation, and any of it's endorsed competitions are subject to drug testing. The GSU
follows the WADA or "WADA Compatible" testing guidelines and reserves the right to ban or retract a title and
prize for a failed test result. The chain of custody will be handled by a third-party (uninterested) party.

ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE CONTACT: girevoysportsunion@gmail.com