Officials
USAWA has very reasonable expectations for officials. There is a written rules test and practical experience. To expand the pool of officials, USAWA has offered video practical experience for Level 1 status and allows officials in other strength federations to carry over that experience.
Level 1 – (16) listed officials, (8) are 2026 USAWA members
Level 2 – (32) listed officials, (18) are 2026 USAWA members
It is quite impressive that over half of the 2026 members have passed the written test or Level 1 or Level 2 officials.
I feel like every athlete should be working towards becoming an official. First, the open book written exam is a great way to learn about the lifts, commands and how competitions are run. Second, the USAWA always needs officials for competitions. With more certified officials, flights can operate smoothly and officials are not stuck officiating and can socialize. Third, upon achieving Level 2 Status, the official can train aspiring officials. This helps USAWA grow and expand geographically.
USAWA has an athlete training program for a couple of reasons. First, it is a requirement for membership in the International All-Round Weightlifting Association. Second, it ensures fair competition.
Officials are human and may make mistakes. Early or late down commands are frustrating. Quick lifts have often been red lighted as press outs. Overall, it averages out.
Having a training program minimizes mistakes in commands, points of performance (when do the shoulders need to be erect vs when do the legs need be straight?), is the uniform correct, and is the equipment appropriate for competition. Having multiple certified officials allows for discussion when the rules are unclear.
Most recently, I was involved in a discussion about vertical bar deadlifts. The rules state that the legs must be straight and knees locked, but the shoulder and body do not need to be erect. “The lifting hand must be above the level of mid thighs at the completion of the lift.” We considered the thigh to start above the kneecap and end at the inseam. We did not mark the mid-thigh on the athlete’s uniform. We further decided the hand started at below the wrist and most lifts even with a very wide stance would comply with the rules if the legs were straight and knees locked.
Level 1 – Test Qualified or Experience Qualified – Test Qualified is written test and 3 practical training sessions. Experience Qualified is 25 practical training sessions. A training session is sitting in the chair next to an official in the one-official system or being one of three judges in the three-official system. Practical training could also be done by performing video officiating tests.
Level 2 – Elevate to Level 2 after officiating in 25 competitions. 10 of these competitions must be USAWA and 15 could be taken from another federation at the Officials Director’s discretion.
Full details on officials are in section VII of the rulebook and on the website.