Under International Powerlifting Federation rules, proposed and approved rule changes go into effect on the beginning of each Olympiad (for example, January 1, 2001 to December 31, 2004, January 1, 2005 to December 31, 2008, etc.). Most rule changes involve "bomb outs" (no lift in any discipline), international competitions, age group modifications such as Sub Junior Division, Erector Shirts, and minor rule changes for each discipline. These rule changes are effective today (January 1, 2005).
Under previous IPF rules, if a lifter fails to get a "good lift" in any discipline during a competition, he/she is automatically eliminated from competition and will not be eligible to perform other lifts. For example, if a lifter fails to get a "good lift" in the Squat, he/she can't do the Bench Press and Deadlift, meaning the amount of time a lifter trains for a Powerlifting competition goes to waste. Keep in mind Powerlifters typically train 7 to 9 hours a week.
Under the new IPF rules, if a lifter fails to get a "good lift" in any discipline, he/she can still perform the other disciplines during a competition, but he/she will not be eligible for national or world records. For example, if a lifter fails to get a "good lift" in the Squat, he/she can still perform the Bench Press and Deadlift, and possibly receive an overall medal. While a "bombed out" lifter may be disentitled to national or world records, he/she is still in the competition. In other words, his/her hard work and sacrifice will not go to waste.
The gender segregated world and national competitions for each age division no longer exists. Under the new rules, each age group specific competition (Sub Junior, Junior, Open, and Masters) are gender combined meets. In other words, men and women no longer compete in separate meets for same age division.
The aim of this rule change is to make competitions larger, attracting more spectators and reducing hosting costs.
Maximum age for Sub Junior now increased to age 19 because the IPF doesn't have enough lifters between ages 14 and 18 to sustain it. Therefore, the Sub Junior age group is reserved for lifters between ages 14 and 19. Junior division is for lifters between ages 20 and 23.
Because the IPF season starts at beginning of each calendar year (January 1 - December 31), a Sub Junior remains Sub Junior until December 31 of the year he/she turns 19. Likewise, a Junior remains a Junior until December 31 of the year he/she turns 23. For example, if you're 19 on January 1, but you turn 20 on April 18, you're a Junior not a Sub Junior.
"Erector Shirts" are sleeveless supportive shirts providing torso and back support. These shirts are used extensive in the Squat and Deadlift.
Under the new rules, "Erector Shirts" must be sleeveless and cover a lifter's deltoids. Otherwise, a lifter could face disqualification.
Under the new IPF rules, if a lifter fails to submit his/her attempt card within one minute, and he/she had a "good lift" in previous attempt, he/she must increase his/her attempt by at least 2.5 KGs. For example, if a lifter had a good first attempt in the Bench Press with a 150 KG lift, but doesn't get his/her second attempt submitted on time, he/she must attempt at least 152.5 KGs on the third attempt.
However, if a lifter makes a no lift in previous attempt, and doesn't submit his/her next attempt within the one minute time limit, then a lifter has an option to lift same weight in previous attempt or even increase it.
No significant rule changes are implemented for the Squat. Rules remain unchanged.
While the "one second pause" at chest rule was recommended, it will not en enshrined as a new IPF rule. In other words, as long as a lifter demonstrates a "reasonable pause" and presses the weight with a relatively uneven extension (slight uneven extensions are still permissible), the lift is still good.
During the Bench Press execution, a lifter is allowed to move his/her feet no more than 1/2 his/her foot length. Slight feet movement will not disqualify the lifter.
Keep in mind lifter is still allowed to move his/her head during Bench Press execution, but its definitely not recommended as he/she could suffer serious neck injuries.
Lifters are now required to wear shin length socks during the Deadlift, whether he/she uses baby powder or not, particularly lifters dragging the bar along his/her shins. Failure to wear shin length socks could result in warnings and possible disqualification.
As you know, during the Deadlift, some lifters drag the bar along his/her shins, particularly lifters positioning themselves very close to the bar. When the bar is in contact with a lifter's skin, he/she could scrape their shins resulting in blood being drawn and contacting the bar. As a result, the next lifter may not want to use a particular bar due to sanitary and health related issues.
Furthermore, when blood drawn resulting from a shin scrape contacts the bar, referees and volunteers have to spend considerable time cleaning and disinfecting the bar for upcoming lifters. These delays are not only disrespectful to referees, but to other lifters waiting to perform his/her attempt resulting in poor performance.
Therefore, for health and sanitary reasons, and to avoid spreading viruses and unwanted germs, lifters are now required to wear shin length socks. While this rule sounds silly, I strongly support it.
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