IKFF Kettlebell Sport competition – rules, policies and definitions

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The IKFF International Rankings:

Biathlon = jerk + snatch
Men’s Biathlon: every lift in Jerk is 1 point and every lift in Snatch is 0.5 points. The snatch score is calculated as the sum of total lifts made with both hands, divided by 2. For example: 35 lifts were done in Jerk and the snatch = 24 lifts with right hand and 40 with left hand. The total count of points = 35 + (24 +40)/ 2 = 35 +64/2 = 35 +32 = 77 points.
Women’s Biathlon: every jerk with one hand is 0.5 points and every snatch with one hand is 0.5 points. In the jerk and snatch, total number of points = sum of total lifts done by both hands, divided by 2. Example: Jerk – 35 +30 lifts were done with both right and left hand. Snatch – 24 right hand and 40 left hand. The total count for the event = (35 +30)/2 + (24 +40)/2 = 65/2 +64/2 = 32.5 +32 = 64.5 points.
Men’s Long Cycle: every lift =1 point.
Women’s Long Cycle: every lift =1 point.
Women’s One Arm Long Cycle: every lift by each hand = 1 point. The total number of points is determined by the amount of lifts performed by each hand.
Men’s Jerk: every lift =1 point.
Women’s Jerk: every lift =1 point. The total number of points is determined by the amount of lifts performed by each hand.
Snatch – Men and Women: every lift = 1 point. The total number of points is determined by the amount of lifts performed by each hand.
CMS = Candidate Master of Sport
MS = Master of Sport
MSIC = Master of Sport International Class

Rankings
Updated Rankings Spreadsheet can be viewed here

Division information:
Weight Class – Refer to the rankings above.

Female Divisions:

• Amateur Adult(8kg, 12kg, and 16kg k-bell) – any age
• Professional Adult (20kg and 24kg bell) – any age
• Juniors (8kg k-bell) – up to 14 years
• Juniors (8kg or 12kg k-bell) – up to 16 years
• Juniors(8kg, 12kg, or 16kg k-bell) – up to 18 years
• Masters (12kg bell) – 40 +
• Seniors (8kg bell) – 55+

Male Divisions:

• Amateur Adult(12kg or 16kg k-bell) – any age
• Professional Adult (24kg or 32kg k- bell) – any age
• Juniors (12kg k-bell) – up to 14 years
• Juniors (12kg or 16kg k-bell) – up to 16 years
• Junior (12kg, 16kg or 24kg k-bell) – up to 18 years
• Masters (16kg bell) – 40 +
• Seniors (12kg bell) – 55+

Your age does not limit your division. As an example, a 16 year old or 40+ year old competitor could compete as an Adult Amateur or Adult Professional. They don’t have to compete as a “Junior” or “Master”.

If you compete in the biathlon, your jerk and snatch numbers can/will also count toward the individual jerk/snatch rankings and scores for the event.
There will be a minimum of 45 minutes of rest between your jerk and snatch flights in biathlon.

IKFF KETTLEBELL SPORT COMPETITION POLICIES AND RULES

I. Policies:

Refunds

• Refunds will not be issued.
• If you cannot make it to the event after you’ve already registered, you may transfer your registration to another event.
• If you transfer your registration after the flights have already been scheduled, the person taking your place, will be inserted into your flight.

Equipment

• Kettlebells and chalk will be provided at each platform.
• A warm-up area will be available for use prior to your flight.

Clothing

• You must wear apparel that allows the judges to see your knees. This includes long or short tights. You will not be allowed to compete if the judges are not able to see your knees.
• Wrist wraps are allowed and recommended but avoid overly thick wraps.
• Shirts made of cotton are recommended versus synthetic fibers (i.e. Under Armor).

Belts

• You are allowed to use a weight belt but will be issued violations if you are using your belt to rest; i.e. elbows wedged or tucked into the belt. For many, this serves a medical purpose, protects their lower back etc. In the chair press, resting on the belt is allowed due to the difficulty in not resting on it as a result of the shortened rack positioning.

I-pods, headphones, etc.

• Are NOT allowed during your set.

Scheduled flights

• The general ordering of the events will be: Jerk, Snatch/Snatch Only, and Long Cycle.
• Within each of these events, the progression will be from lightest to heaviest and youngest to oldest. There may be deviations from this based on the overall profile of the registrations.
• Competing judges may be placed in earlier flights or within flights that are not in their division.
• You will be allowed only one attempt for the event you are registered.
• You will not be allowed a second attempt for the event you are registered during the competition; no do-overs.
• If you do not make it to your flight, you will not be given another flight time, and you will not receive a refund. It is your responsibility to be ready and at your platform prior to the start of the flight.

Division Changes

• You have up until two weeks before the competition to change your division. After that point, no changes will be accepted; no exceptions will be made.

II. Rules:

Unsportsmanlike Conduct:

• Conduct such as, profanity, trash-talk, heckling/jeering, talking poorly of another competitor, judge, or official, and any other behaviours that are not congruent with being a good sport and citizen, will not be tolerated.
• Competitors displaying unsportsmanlike conduct will be disqualified immediately, whether your set has been completed or yet to happen.
• Spectators displaying unsportsmanlike conduct will be asked to leave the premises immediately.
• If you are not satisfied with your set, please take up your grievances for review with Trent Murgatroyd. All complaints will be given due consideration but do not expect a change in the decision made by the judge.

Disqualification
Your set will be stopped and you will not receive the repetitions counted during your set for the following:

• Unsportsmanlike conduct (results in immediate disqualification).
• 3 warnings for any 1 violation results in a disqualification.
• You will not be disqualified if you do not perform a hand-switch. If you elect to do your entire set on one side, you will not be disqualified. However, it is not recommended.

Violations and Warnings
Violations include:

• Touching the bell with your free hand
• Resting the bell(s) on your shoulders- this includes racking the bell(s) too high on your shoulder(s) with an obvious pause prior to settling into the rack.
• Resting your elbow(s) in your weight belt
• Extra swing(s) at any time during the snatch or long-cycle; taking an extra swing before your first snatch will result in a warning.
• Half snatching, dropping the bell(s) to your shoulder or rack rather than dropping directly into the swing portion of the snatch

Warnings:

• 3 warnings will be issued per violation; the set will be stopped, and results in disqualification.
• For example, 1 warning for an extra swing, 2nd warning for an extra swing, and then, on the 3rd extra swing, your set will be stopped.
• Violations do not have to be issued continuously- one right after the other; they can be accrued throughout the set.
• It is possible to accrue 3 [different] violations without being disqualified. For example, 1 violation for touching the bell, 1 violation for extra swing, and 1 violation for half-snatching; hence, a combination of 1 each of a different violation will not get you disqualified.

Failed attempts – occur when a competitor is unable to fix the bell(s) overhead, these reps will not be counted. If a competitor appears to be overly fatigued and potentially at risk for injury:

• A judge may stop the set immediately if she/he believes you are going to be injured.
• A judge may allow up to 3 failed attempts before she/he stops the set.
• Your good reps will be counted, you will not be disqualified. It will be considered “self-terminating”.

Self-terminating a set:

• You may stop your set at will, especially when you know you have exceeded your tolerance threshold and know you are close to dropping the bell(s).
• Dropping the bell(s) during your set will be considered self-terminating; your good reps will be counted.
• Setting the bell(s) down terminates your set.

One Attempt: As stated in the policies section under “scheduled flights”, you will receive only one attempt per set. If you are disqualified, self-terminate your set, or are dissatisfied with your set, you will not be allowed another attempt.

Good reps, Bad reps/No-counts:

• A good rep is one in which the lift is executed with technical precision and receives a count.
• A bad rep, is one in which an aspect of the lift, is not demonstrated, for example, a distinct pause in the rack for long-cycle; this results in a “no-count”.

Please note that a judge will stop your set if you receive 7 no-counts in a row- this is not a disqualification. You will receive the count for all good reps and it will apply to your total score. You can accumulate numerous no-counts throughout your set. For example, 3 in a row, then you self-correct, later in the set 5 in a row, then you self-correct, etc.

The Requirements For Each Lift:

JERK

1. Brief pause in the rack before each jerk; resetting prior to each rep.
2. Two distinct knee bends: a) first bend with the bell(s) still racked; and b) second bend just after the initial the drive with the bell(s) ascending and just prior to elbow fixation. If the judge does not see a distinguishable second knee bend, you will receive a no-count.
3. Some competitors are unable to fully extend (straighten) their elbows. Regardless, elbow fixation (no movement) is required once the 2nd knee bend is completed and prior to extending (straightening) and fixing your knees. If the judge sees movement in your elbow after you extend your knees, you will receive a no-count.
4. A brief pause in the overhead position with your knees and elbows extended and fixed before dropping the bell(s) into the rack. If the judge is unable to distinguish a brief pause, you will receive a no-count.

SNATCH

1. An initial/extra swing to start a snatch set is not allowed; you will be issued a warning for this violation.
2. Knee dip/bend/undersquats are allowed but are held to the same standards as the jerk- elbow fixation is required prior to extending your knees. If the judge sees movement in the elbow after extending your knees, you will receive a no-count.
3. A brief, distinct pause in the overhead, fixed position is required. If the judge is unable to distinguish a brief pause, you will receive a no-count.
4. The overhead fixed position is vertical; 90 degrees, perpendicular to the floor; straight arm next to your ear and head, at minimum. If the bell is snatched to less than vertical, you will receive a no-count; “10 o’clock” arm position will not be counted.
5. If your arm is fixed but not in a 90+ degree position, you will receive a no-count.
6. Many lifters are able to extend past vertical, which is allowable; the same standards apply; elbow fixation and a brief, distinct pause are required.
7. No extra swings are allowed: at the beginning of the set or during the set. This is a violation. If you accrue 3 violations, you will be disqualified and receive no count for your entire set.
8. Dropping the bell to the rack is a violation. If you accrue 3 violations, you will be disqualified and receive no count for your entire set.

LONG-CYCLE

The jerk portion of the long-cycle is held to the same standards as the jerk; see above.

1. After the clean, there must be a clear and distinguishable pause in the rack. Your hips and knees should be extended. If you do not pause in the rack prior to the jerk, you will receive a no-count.
2. Overhead fixation in the long-cycle are held to the same standards of the jerk; see above.
3. After overhead fixation, you may drop the bell(s) into the rack and “touch and go”, in which a pause in the rack is almost indistinguishable. However, you must hit the rack and not drop directly into the swing. If you do not hit the rack position prior to the swing, you will receive a no-count.