The Lifts - Intro

The sport of weightlifting consists of two lifts - the Snatch and the Clean & Jerk

The Snatch

The barbell is placed horizontally in front of the lifter's legs. It is gripped, palms downwards and pulled in a single movement from the platform to the full extent of both arms above the head, while either splitting or bending the legs. During this continuous movement, the barbell may slide along the thighs and the lap. No part of the body other than the feet may touch the platform during the execution of the lift. The weight, which has been lifted, must be maintained in the final motionless position, arms and legs extended, the feet on the same line, until the referees give the signal to replace the barbell on the platform. The lifter may recover in his or her own time, either from a split or a squat position, and finish with the feet on the same line, parallel to the plane of the trunk and the barbell. The referees give the signal to lower the barbell as soon as the lifter becomes motionless in all parts of the body.

The Clean & Jerk

The Clean - The barbell is placed horizontally in front of the lifter's legs. It is gripped, palms downwards and pulled in a single movement from the platform to the shoulders, while either splitting or bending the legs. During this continuous movement, the barbell may slide along the thighs and the lap. The barbell must not touch the chest before the final position. It then rests on the clavicles or on the chest above the nipples or on the arms fully bent. The feet return to the same line, legs straight before performing the Jerk. The lifter may make this recovery in his or her own time and finish with the feet on the same line, parallel to the plane of the trunk and the barbell.

The Jerk - The athlete bends the legs and extends them as well as the arms to bring the barbell to the full stretch of the arms vertically extended. He or she returns the feet to the same line; arms and legs fully extended, and waits for the referees' signal to replace the barbell on the platform. The referees give the signal to lower the barbell as soon as the lifter becomes motionless in all parts of the body.

Incorrect Movements and Positions

  • Pulling from the hang.

  • Touching the platform with any part of the body other than the feet.

  • Uneven or incomplete extension of the arms, at the finish of the lift. .

  • Pause during the extension of the arms.

  • Finishing with a press-out.

  • Bending and extending the elbows during the recovery.

  • Leaving the platform during the execution of the lift, i.e. touching the area outside the platform with any part of the body.

  • Replacing the barbell on the platform before the referees' signal.

  • Dropping the barbell after the referees' signal.

  • Failing to finish with the feet and the barbell in line and parallel to the plane of the trunk.

  • Failing to replace the complete barbell on the platform, i.e. the complete barbell must first touch the platform.