In recent years, we have often seen what appears to be an otherwise good snatch or, more likely, a jerk, turned down by the referees and/or the jury for what is all too commonly referred to as “press-out.” Olympian, and former USA Weightlifting president, Brian Derwin brought our attention to this matter in a blog last year. Brian offered some great training tips on how to train, especially the jerk, so as to avoid red lights from the referees.
What is press-out, a term in use in weightlifting circles for decades? Certainly, in the old days, press-out was much more acceptable, especially in the snatch, and most specifically, in the split style snatch. What has to happen to trigger a negative judgement from today’s technical officials?
Actually, there are several rules related to the topic of press-out in the 2020 edition of the International Weightlifting Federation’s Technical and Competition Rules and Regulations. Let’s review the details:
- Under general rules for the snatch (2.2.1) and for the jerk (2.3.2) the lifter must lift “… to the full extent of both arms… .”
- Under General Rules for All Lifts, 2.4.4 states, “An athlete, who, for any reason, cannot fully extend the elbow(s), must report/display this fact to all on-duty Referees as well as the Jury prior to the start of the competition…”.
- Under Incorrect Movements, 2.5.1.3 includes “Pause during the extension of the arms.”
- Again, Incorrect Movements, 2.5.1.4 includes “Finishing with a press-out, defined as: continuing the extension of the arms after the athlete has reached the lowest point of his/her position in the squat or split for both the Snatch and the Jerk.”
- Again, Incorrect Movements, 2.5.1.5 states “Bending and extending the elbows during the recovery.”
- Under Incomplete Movements and Positions, 2.6.1 confirms “Uneven or incomplete extension of the arms at the completion of the lift.”
What Do These Rules Mean?
Rules 2.2.1 and 2.3.1 do not require that the elbow joints fully extend (‘lock out’). But if the elbows do not fully extend, the lifter must snatch or a jerk so that his/her fullest elbow extension is as complete as anatomically possible. This is a subjective call by the judges.
Rule 2.3.3 was added many years back to deal with the possibility that one’s elbows do not fully extend. A few years ago, USA National Champion and world team member Jackie Berube told me that her inability to lock her elbows was an inherited trait, and that others in her family had the same issue. Jackie, like others in the same situation, made a point of indicating this issue prior to attempting a lift.
