By Al Myers
I just finished updating the USAWA Rulebook with the rule changes made by the membership over the past few years. it was last updated in 2017. It now contains the rules for the new lifts that have been added since that time – the Lurich Lift, the Rim Lift, and the Habecker Lift.
The new USAWA Rulebook is the 11th Edition. It is available for free download on the USAWA website.
By Al Myers
I have just added an addendum page to the Rulebook section which contains the new rule and lift information that was passed and approved at the 2018 USAWA National Meeting. Since there was only minimal changes to the current 10th Edition USAWA Rulebook I felt it was wasn’t necessary to make a new edition rulebook this year.
The rules for the 2 new lifts approved this year (the Lurich Lift and the Habecker Lift) are included in the addendum. Also, it contains a minor rule change for the proper loading of the Thor’s Hammer.
Please just print off the addendum page and add it to your current rulebook.
By Al Myers
Recently in the USAWA Discussion Forum there’s been talk of new lifts. That’s what inspired me to write the blog the other day on the rules involving new lift approval. We have rules into place that make sure any new lift in the USAWA is considered a “good lift”, with proper written rules in place BEFORE it is proposed. Which has not been the policy in the old days – thus why there are so many strange official rules and lifts in our Rulebook.
I’m in the mood to do a little rambling today about my opinion on all this. Of course, these are just my opinions and may not represent the viewpoints of others on the Executive Board. The USAWA has MANY more official lifts than the IAWA(UK). What’s considered official IAWA lifts is generally what is in the IAWA(UK) Rulebook. I tend to agree with this, because unlike the USAWA, the IAWA(UK) only considers “new lifts” as those passed at the AGM of the IAWA while the USAWA proposes and accepts new lifts at our USAWA meeting which only represents the USAWA. The IAWA(UK) does not accept new lifts at their IAWA(UK) annual meeting. The ARWLWA primarly uses the IAWA(UK) Rulebook as their official rulebook, but does use the USAWA Rulebook for the OTSM lifts. So to sum it up, the USAWA has official lifts that the IAWA(UK) does not.
What do I consider in voting on a new proposed lift? Simply put I look at THREE THINGS before casting my vote.
1. Is it a new, novel lift?
What’s the point of passing a new lift that is just a knockoff of a lift we already have. Here’s an example of a lift I wouldn’t be in favor of – say – the heels together Ciavattone Grip Deadlift. We already have the Ciavattone Grip Deadlift, and we already have the heels together deadlift. I just don’t see the point of combining these. After all, anytime a Ciavattone Grip is used it comes down to grip strength anyways. I don’t have a problem with a “one deviation” difference from a traditional lift, but after that it just becomes confusing and redundant. I won’t even get started venting about the Lano Lift. That’s a story in itself how that lift got passed!
2. Does it represent an old time All Round Weightlifting movement or lift?
Our mission statement has always stated that the USAWA “strives to preserve the history of the original forms of weightlifting”. I hope we never forget this, as I feel that is the purpose of our organization. If you’re interested in the “new age” strength lifts, go compete in cross fit. That’s not what we are about.
3. Is it a lift that can be performed properly by the majority of our members?
We already have enough “trick lifts” and “pet lifts” in our Rulebook. We don’t need more. I understand that the USAWA gives opportunity to express hidden strengths in obscure lifts, but enough is enough. I understand why the Van Dam Lift got approved (it was for a personal publicity stunt which we agreed to participate in, hoping it would give us some exposure), but come on, that’s a ridiculous lift to have in our Rulebook. I can think of over 50 new lifts that we could have that would be better than that one! I feel any new USAWA official lift should be one that at least over 50 percent of lifters can perform.
On the IAWA front the USAWA has always been very open to new lifts, more so than the rest of the IAWA crowd. I could state my reasons why I think that is so – but won’t publically as I know I would offend some people. I do know some think we have enough All Round lifts in “the books” now, but if a new lift is proposed that is good I am all for it. Maybe we should get rid of some official USAWA lifts? Again that is a story for another day!
By Al Myers
I just got all the updates and editing done for the new USAWA Rulebook 10th Edition. It is now on the website, and I plan to take it to the printers this week to get a few bound hard copies made for sale. However, I’ve found that only a few want hard copies anymore as it’s easier to just view it on the website, and thus you don’t end up with an “out of date” rulebook in a year.
It’s hard to believe that we are up to the 10th Edition. Since I have been secretary I have updated it each year with the new rules and new lifts that are made each year at the Annual National Meeting of the USAWA. In the first 22 years of the USAWA there was only 1 update to the original Rulebook, and now we have had 8 updates in 8 years. So either the membership was sitting on their hands and NO CHANGES were made in those early years, or the membership voting decisions were not being put into force. I would lean towards the later.
Now for a little “trivia” on our USAWA Rulebook:
I always try to add a few new pictures each year to give illustrations of the lifts being performed. Still over half of the official lifts don’t have a picture with them in the Rulebook. Early on I put a “cap” on the number of times one individual could be in the Rulebook to spread things around a little. This limit is three times. This makes it harder for me because there are a few lifters I have many pictures of, and several lifts I have many pictures of. I welcome people to send me new pictures for future Rulebooks. So if you want a little “USAWA fame” this is your chance!
These are the lucky few who got in the Rulebook three times: Joe Garcia, Scott Campbell, Al Myers, Denny Habecker, Frank Ciavattone, Chad Ullom, John McKean, Mark Mitchell, Kevin Fulton, Scott Schmidt, Dan Wagman, and LaVerne Myers.
The USAWA Rulebook is something that we should be very proud of. It is the backbone of our organization as it guides us in every competition. With every update it gets a little better, but there are still issues that need addressed with it. As these issues come up during the year they are addressed at the National Meeting and improvements to the Rulebook can be made.
by Al Myers
I have just finished updating the USAWA Rulebook from the changes voted on and made at the Annual Meeting. One new lift was approved this year – the Reg Park Bench Press. The rules for this new lift are now in the USAWA Rulebook. The Rulebook is available for free download on this website.
We are now on the 9th Edition of the USAWA Rulebook. The Rulebook is 120 pages long and is over 35,000 words.