Competition Ettiquette
When I first started in weightlifting, it was just about to pop off. Since then, it is not uncommon to have meets with 800+ competitors. If I remember correctly, the AO Series 3 in 2019 had 1200 competitors. With this massive influx of new lifters thanks to social media, CrossFit, and accessibility of equipment, there is also a bunch of newbies who don’t know proper competition etiquette.
Let me break down a couple of rules for you.
Warm Up Area
1) Always be respectful to judges, card handlers, and other coaches and athletes. This should be a no brainer, but still.
2) Do not start setting upon a platform in the warm up area if a session is still going. Try not to crowd the warm up area like a vulture waiting for the platform closest to the competition stage. This can be incredibly stressful for competitors still lifting in the previous session. Understand that if their session is running late, then your session will be as well. Don’t act like your session will start on time and make it their problem.
3) You will be sharing a warm up platform with someone. An unspoken rule is two lifters on a platform is ideal, three is a party, four is doable but only if there are no other platforms available with less than three people. New lifters, do not feel like you need to be on the same platform as other newbies. In fact, you will pair up best with the best lifter of the session because they likely wont even take the bar until you’ve completed your lifts on the stage. One instance where having 4+ lifters is ideal is if they all are on the same team and lifting within a few kilos of each other.
4) This is very rare to see anymore, but if you see a chair on a platform, that means someone has called dibs on that platform. At this point though, 1 person really shouldn’t be calling dibs on a platform, so it’s best to ask if you can join them.
5) Always ask if you can join someone on their warm up platform.
6) Avoid walking in front of someone when they lift. This is good etiquette in training btw, but especially important in a competition setting.
7) Overcommunicate with the other coach or lifter on your platform, and help change weights.
8) Avoid overcrowding the card table if you aren’t making a change, and have the ability to count attempts on the computer screen available at most meets.
9) You will likely need to share plates from other platforms. This is normal, and sucks, but is part of it. Whenever you need plates from another platform, ask the coach or lifter on the other platform politely. They will always allow you to borrow them, but they might need them for the warm up they are about to attempt, so be understanding. After using the plates, ALWAYS return them to the platform as fast as possible.
10) Speak up if you NEED to take a warm up before the other lifter, especially if this includes an order change.
11) Don’t overcrowd the warm up area. The only people who should be there are the coach, the lifter, and a weight loader IF NECESSARY, though the coach is the only necessity.
12) Coaches: Don’t take chairs from competitors.
13) Respect the equipment. It’s not yours, so don’t be rude and drop empty barbells, bars with just 10’s or change plates etc.
Competing
1) When it comes to strategy, use it wisely. This means that jockeying and stealing clocks, running the clock, etc. doesn’t need to be done unless you are in contention for medals, records, or teams. If you’re vying for 11th place at the South Indiana Spectacular, chill out.
2) Be respectful to the judges, card handlers, athletes, and other coaches, and make sure to thank and congratulate them after the competition.
3) Do not complain about the competition in any way. I once volunteered to coach a pretty strong newer lifter at his first meet, and he threw a loud hissy fit about the heat because the venue didn’t have AC. I ripped into him pretty hard, and needless to say, he was not invited to join the weightlifting team.
4) Do not slam the bar after a lift. I get that you’re excited, and it’s cool to be hyped up after a lift, and we all enjoy watching Jon North lift, but nothing is cooler than being humble.
5) Avoid cursing on the competition platform. I don’t have a problem but it is technically against the rules, and feels weird to do.
Most of these should be common sense, so hopefully nothing really shocked you here. Whenever possible, help to make sure others are aware of these etiquette rules.