Sports Glossaries
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attempt

Each lifter is allowed three attempts, at requested weights, on the snatch and on the clean and jerk. The results of the best good lifts are added to reach a total. If the lifter doesn't have at least one valid attempt in each of the two lifts, there is no total.

attempt board

An electronically-controlled display that shows the name of the competitor, the weight division, the lift being attempted, the number of the attempt, and the weight to be lifted. The referee decision lights and timing clock are also shown on the attempt board.

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bar

Short for barbell.

barbell

The entire bar that is lifted, including the weight discs and collars.

body weight

Each athlete is weighed, to the nearest 10 grams, two hours before competition begins. If two lifters have exactly the same total, the one with the lower body weight is given the higher ranking.

bomb

To fail making a good lift in either or both of the two lifts, which results in no score. Also "bomb out."

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chalk

Magnesium carbonate powder that lifters put on their hands to improve the grip.

chief referee

See referee.

clean and jerk

A two-part lift in which the weight must first be pulled from the platform to the shoulders in one motion while splitting or squatting and then standing up (the clean). Before the bar begins to descend, the lifter must jerk the weight overhead with a quick movement, ending with the arms fully extended and the body completely upright.

collar

A metal attachment that encircles the bar at each end to hold the discs in place.

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disc

One of the cylindrical weights that are loaded onto the barbell. Discs come in eight weights and are color coded: 25 kilograms (red); 20 kg (blue); 15 kg (yellow); 10 kg (green); 5 kg (white); 2.5 kg (black); 1.25 kg (chrome); 0.5 kg (chrome); 0.25 kg (chrome).

down signal

An indication from the chief referee that the lift has been completed and the lifter can drop the bar.

draw

The process of allocating random numbers to competitors, which determine the lifting order.

dynamic start

The preparatory movement of the hips that gives the lifter the momentum needed to position the body under the bar.

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fixation

The act of holding the bar overhead with the arms straight and fully extended.

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good lift

A lift that has been correctly completed, as determined by at least two of the three referees. See also no lift.

grip

The way in which the bar is held.

grip width

The distance between the hands on the bar.

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half squat

A squat in which the knees are bent only slightly.

hang

A position in which the bar is above the platform but below the knees.

hook

A grip in which the lifter wraps the thumbs around the bar with the index and second fingers on top of the thumbs.

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jury

A group of five officials who watch the competition to ensure that all rules are complied with.

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knee touch

The act of touching the knee to the platform in the course of a lift, an illegal act that results in no lift.

knurl

The roughened pattern on the barbell's surface that makes gripping it easier and more secure.

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lot number

The number assigned to a competitor during the draw.

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master of ceremonies

See speaker.

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no lift

An attempt judged invalid by at least two of the three referees. See also good lift.

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overhand grip

A grip in which the palms face backwards.

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platform

The competition area, 4 meters square and 50 to 150 millimeters high, where the competitors attempt their lifts. The platform may be made of any solid material such as wood or plastic, and may be covered with a non-slippery material.

presentation

A ceremony held 15 minutes before the start of competition, at which the speaker introduces the technical officials and the athletes, who are lined up on the stage in the order of their start numbers.

press-out

An illegal move on which the lifter bends the arms while holding the bar overhead, then presses out to try to make them straight; results in no lift.

press

A lift in which the bar is brought to the shoulders and held there for two seconds while the lifter waits for approval from the chief referee. After approval, the bar is lifted overhead using only the arms. The press was one of three competitive lifts until 1976.

protocol

The international weightlifting term for the scoresheet, on which the complete competition is recorded, including each successful and unsuccessful lift and totals for all competitors.

pull

The portion of the lift in which the bar is raised from the platform to the squat or split.

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record board

A display that shows current records in the category being contested.

recover

To return to a position with the legs side by side after a split.

referee

There are three referees who rule on whether or not a lift is good, with the majority decision ruling. The chief referee signals the end of each lift by giving the lifter the down signal.

referee decision lights

Lights on the attempt board signal each referee's decision on whether or not a lift was valid. A white light indicates a good lift, a red light indicates no lift.

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scoresheet

See protocol.

six for six

The feat of making good lifts in all six attempts, three in the snatch and three in the clean and jerk.

simple grip

A grip in which all four fingers of the hand are on one side of the bar and the thumb is on the other side.

sleeve

One of the two end portions of the bar, where the weights are attached.

snatch

A lift in which the bar is brought from the platform to an overhead position in one continuous motion, while splitting or squatting, and then straightening to an upright position. The lifter must hold the bar overhead, with arms straight, until the referee gives the down signal.

speaker

The official who moderates the competition, announcing the name of the athlete about to attempt a lift and announcing the validity or non-validity of the lift after it has been attempted. The speaker also introduces the athletes and other officials during the presentation.

split

To bend one leg forward, the other straight back, while lowering the body toward the floor.

squat

To bend the legs at the knees while lowering the body toward the floor.

start number

A number given to indicate a competitor's place in the starting order. Within each group, starting numbers are based on lot numbers; that is, the competitors with the lowest lot number is given No. 1, and so on.

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technical controller

One of two officials at each competition who are responsible for examining the athletes and their outfits, keeping track of the starting order and the progression of weights, and other similar tasks.

technical officials

The competition officials, including the referees, jury, technical controllers, doping control officers, and others.

thumbless grip

A grip in which all four fingers and the thumb of the hand are on one side of the bar.

time keeper

An official who operates the timing clock; usually one of the three referees.

timing clock

An electronic clock displayed on the attempt board that counts down the time that the current competitor has to make the lift. Allotted time ranges from one to two minutes; it's usually one and a half minutes in international competition.

total

The aggregate of the best good lifts in the snatch and the clean and jerk, which determines the competitor's ranking in the competition. If two competitors have the same total, the one with the lighter body weight is given the higher ranking.

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warm-up area

An area adjoining the competition stage where athletes warm up before attempting their lifts.

weigh-in

The process of determining body weight for each competitor, which begins two hours before competition.

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