How long does a lifter have to start a lift?
I · Intermediate · Attempts, order and the clock · 4 of 7A lifter has one minute from being called to start the attempt. A lifter who takes two attempts in a row has two minutes for the second. A warning sounds 30 seconds before time is up, and if the bar has not left the platform when the clock runs out, the attempt is a no lift.
How it works
- One minute: each lifter is allocated one minute in which to start the attempt.
- Two minutes: when a lifter attempts two lifts in succession, they are allowed two minutes for the second.
- When the clock starts: the moment the speaker finishes announcing the attempt, or when the bar is loaded and the loaders have left the platform, whichever is last.
- When it stops: the moment the bar leaves the platform at the start of the attempt.
- The warning: a signal 30 seconds before the end of the allocated time.
- Time out: if at the end of the time the lifter has not raised the bar from the platform to make the attempt, the attempt is a no lift.
- A false start: if the bar does not pass the height of the knees and is put back, the clock restarts and no attempt has been used.
- Alone on the platform: once the clock has started, the only person allowed on the platform is the lifter who has been called.
Tricky cases
Does the lift have to be finished within the minute?
No. The bar only has to leave the platform before time runs out. The clock stops at that moment.
A lifter is due two minutes, then a rival changes weight and is called first. How long does the lifter get?
One minute. The two minutes apply only when the lifter really does follow themselves.
The lifter starts to pull, feels wrong and puts the bar down below knee height. Is the attempt lost?
No. It does not count as an attempt, and the clock restarts from where it stopped.
The lifter is told to wipe oil off their legs while the clock is running. Does the clock stop?
No. The clock remains running while a forbidden lubricant is removed.
Why the rule exists
Without a clock a lifter could wait until rivals cooled down or until their own breathing recovered completely. One minute is enough to walk out, chalk and set up. The extra minute for back-to-back attempts recognises that the lifter has had no rest while others lifted.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| The rule book read | As above | BWL 6.6.8 to 6.6.14 |
| Between the two lifts | A break of 5 minutes, or 10 if six or fewer lifters. International events are generally understood to use 10 minutes | BWL 6.7.1; C |
From the rule book
British Weight Lifting Technical and Competition Rules and Regulations (updated 22 July 2026), rules 2.4.7, 2.4.10, 6.6.8 to 6.6.14, 6.7 and 7.8. A national rule book that follows the IWF rules. The IWF document itself was not read. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: BWL Technical and Competition Rules and Regulations 2026 (PDF).