Judiciary board rules

Judiciary Board

The Judiciary board is established by the hosting organization. The judiciary board shall consist of :

  • A head judge and a head judge assistant
  • A head secretary and a head secretary assistant
  • A IKMF Board representative Judges must be certified by taking the IKMF online course. At international competitions, each country team must bring 1 judge for each 2 athletes in their team. It is the responsibility of country representatives to provide the required certified judges. 

1. The judge must : 

  • Wear an IKMF judge badge while on duty
  • Thoroughly understand the rules and regulations of the competition and enforce them appropriately • Remain fair and objective for all athletes
  • Control the registration cards are filled properly
  • Control that the kettlebell weight matches the registration cards
  • Control that the athletes are respecting the dress code
  • Count out aloud in case of technical failure of scoreboards
  • Fill in the results and sign the card after each set is over
  • Prior to the beginning of the competition, the head judge is responsible for inspecting the competition area, inventory of equipment, and ensuring compliance with competition rules and safety

 

The head secretary (and his/her assistant) must :

  • prepares and keeps accurate information of documentation
  • displays flights at the beginning of each day in the warm up area
  • collects the athletes cards from the platform judges
  • compiles results electronically • publishes results on the flights sheet
  • announces the athletes at the start of each flight
  • keeps to the schedule of competition and calls the start of each flight with name and country of each athlete
  • completes the cards of participants during weigh-in: birth year, age group, weight and weight group

Definition of terms

Repetition

1. Repetition

For long cycle, snatch and half snatch, a repetition starts from below the waist.

For jerk, a repetition starts from the rack position. For all disciplines, a repetition is executed with hands (double or single) on the kettlebell and ends with the kettlebell(s) fixated in the overhead lockout.

2. Fixation

  • Arm(s), legs and hips are fully extended
  • The body is aligned
  • The body is motionless*
  • The kettlebell is motionless

Fixation, a complete and visible stop of the kettlebell at the end of every repetition (momentary pause 1 seconde) is the final factor for the judge to be able to issue a count. It proves proficiency in the lift and keeps the event fair. The athlete must have total control over the kettlebell and his body in the overhead position. A noticeable short pause, without rotation, wobbles or drifting must be displayed.

 

* The free arm does not need to be fully motionless, as the athlete may be applying chalk and so on…

3. Alignment

The athlete must face the judge. Alignment is reached when the lifter is standing up straight (legs, hips and arm(s) in full extension, the arm must be aligned with the leg and not be forward.), squared up and the kettlebell(s) is/are directly over or behind the shoulder. There must be no excessive side lean or rotation. Shoulders, hips and knees must face the same direction. Lack of alignment results in a no-count. Athletes that have issues with locking out their elbow must discuss this with the judge before their set, and every lockout must look the same. Please observe: if the athlete is unable to fixate the kettlebell once it has reached the proper alignment, the judge will still issue a “no-count”.

4. Count

A digital or verbal count is given by the judge when the athlete achieves a satisfactory repetition in a given exercise. Proper fixation and alignment must be displayed by the athlete before a count can be given. 


5. No-count & penalties

A “no count” is typically given for a violation happening between the start and finish of a repetition. If a “no-count” is given, the athlete must return to the starting position.

The judge may give cues to help the athlete. Some examples of why a judge may issue a “no count” :

  • There is a definite press out to the lockout
  • There is no second dip in the jerk
  • There is no fixation in the overhead position
  • There is no alignment in the overhead position
  • Not marking the rack position (jerk and long cycle)
  • Supporting the kettlebell with the free hand
  • Supporting the body with the free hand
  • Performing the wrong exercise
  • Performing a swing between reps (-1 per swing)
  • Switching sides incorrectly (ex: without a swing or with excessive swings)
  • Lightly scraping the floor with the kettlebell (kettlebell remains in motion)
  • Not facing the judge
  • Violating the rules in any way
  • A penalty is a violation that typically happens after a count has been given, between a finished repetition and the start of a new one
  • Supporting the kettlebell or the body with the free hand on the way down from the lockout
  • A warning for a prohibited resting position 

6. Stop command & disqualification

Terminating a set before the clock runs out voids the athlete’s results: the athlete is disqualified, and his score becomes “0”. Throwing or dropping a kettlebell intentionally will result in an instant disqualification, that this includes at the termination of the set, be it 30 minutes, 60 minutes or earlier. The “stop” command is issued if :

  • Resting in a prohibited position for the 2nd time (first time is -1)
  • The kettlebell is put down on the platform 9
  • The kettlebell touches the platform with a visible full loss of motion
  • The athlete steps off the platform
  • Swing / Clean outside the legs (-1 per swing outside)
  • The athlete’s technique is deemed unsafe (the judge may issue a warning first) If a verbal “stop” is given, the athlete must set the kettlebell down and remove himself from the platform area without disrupting the other participants. If a competitor lifts the kettlebell from the platform before the “start” command, they will be issued the command “stop and restart” by their platform judge. The competitor must then place the kettlebell back down on the platform surface and start their set again.

7. Resting positions

 It is allowed :

  • To rest in the rack position (all disciplines except snatch)
  • To rest in the overhead position (all disciplines)

It is prohibited :

 

  • To rest with the kettlebell on top of the shoulder (skeleton bearing the weight)
  • To rest in any type of static hang position
  • To rest in any type of rack position in “snatch”, including on the shoulder or doing a half snatch. In case of a violation, a no count warning and -1 will be issued for the first offence only. If the athlete violates the same rule twice, the judge will issue a “stop” command. Note: resting position rules do not apply to super or extreme marathons (2 or more hours competition events)

8. Hand violations

It is permitted to adjust clothing, clear sweat, scratch an itch, drink, apply chalk etc…

It is prohibited to :

  • Stabilize or support the kettlebell with the free hand
  • Use the free hand to support or assist in the execution of the exercise in any way (ex: hand on the thigh or place the knee on the platform) In case of a hand violation, a no-count will be issued. 

9. Swings & switching sides

  • Switching side can only be done with a single hand to hand swing (technically a half swing on each side), except for jerk (only) where the athlete may chose to clean the kettlebell with 2 hands.
  • Switching sides in any other way will result in a “-1 penalty”.
  • Switching sides is unlimited and at will.
  • Swing / Clean outside the legs (-1 per swing outside)
  • Swinging the kettlebell without attempting a lift (ex: between reps, before a switch, after a switch) will result in a “no count/ -1 penalty per swing”. (for ex: 2 swings = -2 points)