Topic: IWF & USAW sets minimum age to compete at 13

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

IWF rulebook link

IWF Technical Rule 1.2.2

1.2.2 In its activities, the IWF recognises three age groups:
i) YOUTH: up to and including seventeen (17) years of age.
ii) JUNIOR: up to and including twenty (20) years of age.
iii) SENIOR


Note 4: The minimum age for participation in the Youth events is thirteen
(13).

It is with my deepest regret that I must inform the forum that it has been officially announced that the USAW Board of Directors has now decided that the USAW will no longer allow kids under the age of 13 to compete in national level events, including the schoolage championships.

This could be a devestating blow, I think, to my program, our country's program, and the sport in general. But, my second question is whether it is really necessary or not. It doesn't seem to me that the above IWF rules clearly prohibit athletes under the age of 13 in non IWF controlled competitions. It seems only to apply to international contests, by my interpretation. Also, although it defines three age divisions in IWF contests as schoolage, junior, and senior, as BUTCH has pointed out, it doesn't seem to say we can't have another age division, like a "Pee-wee" division from 10-13 in our domestic competitions.

I undertstand that the BOD is putting together a position statement to try and get a clarification or a revision of the rules. Are there any BOD members that can give us more details on all of this? It would be most appreciated.

Thanks.

[Chris Polakowski]

If I understand this, anyone born after 1992 is now inelligable for IWF competitions.

I think we should honor this and not allow any of our athletes compete in any IWF sanctioned competitions.

In the mean time, we should allow athletes to develop domestically.

Using USA Gymnastics as our example, Internationally a gymnast can't compete until the age of 16.  There are tens of thousands of little ones (as young as 5) going to Clubs and developing.  My students in that sport are traveling all over the nation.  Those little ones are not missing a beat.  They will be ready when they turn 16.

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

So, here are a few more questions I have concerning this new rule:

1) Can kids under 13 still compete in local contests?

2) Will kids under 13 be receiving a partial or full refund of their USAW memberships that they paid thinking they would be allowed to compete in national meets? Will they get a partial refund if they are allowed to compete in local meets but not national? When will these refunds be delivered, assuming they are going to happen?

3) Is the BOD planning on trying to get adjustments to this rule at the IWF or seeking any other breathing room in regard to the rule?

Thanks very much to anyone that can provide answers.

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

I have spoken with Wes Barnett, our USAW President, and Wes has released some information regarding this matter in the latest weekly report (see announcements and IWF/USAW material forums). To answer some of the questions I asked above:

1) Athletes under 13 years old WILL still be allowed to compete in local events.

2) The ban on under 13 year old lifters looks as if it will be temporary. The USAW wants to encourage these lifters to compete in the AAU Junior Olympics and would like to redesign the under 13 national meet format to emphasize technique to a greater extent than the amount of weight lifted. In the past, under 13 lifters had been placed based on a four lift total. This means the two heaviest snatches would be added to the two heaviest clean and jerks to form the total on which the placing is based. This means that while one kid may miss two lifts in both events but make one ugly, slightly heavier lift than the competition will most likely loose to a lifter that competes a little more conservatively and makes at least 4 attempts.

3) I do not know yet whether the USAW will offer partial or full refunds of under 13 year old's membership dues. I think as long as their ability to compete in national meets is restored, with whatever format, before they are denied permission to compete at such an event, then no refund is necessary.

Finally, I will just say that I coached some kids at the schoolage nationals in St. Louis where this four lift total format was used and I found it worked great. It is bad coaching to open kids this young with weights they can't make easily. It is possible to continue to improve at this age without pushing the envelope quite so hard, and emphasizing perfect technique will pay off much more than such "cowboy" tactics in the long run. Besides, if you don't make the sport fun for these kids and if you push them to constant failure and a discomfort level they aren't physically and emotionally prepared for, they will quit anyway. Just my opinions...

[Jim Storch]

I seriously think that all six attempts should be totalled to encourage going six for six.

The one who makes the most good attempts with the most total weight wins.

[Chris Polakowski]

Jim is on the right track.  Somewhere between 4-6 attempts at meets for this age group should be the norm.

I also believe the Club Coach Course should address age groups when the entry level coach is being taught about the lifts.  You don't train a 13 year old, like you train a 16 year old (You can disagree with we, but that's MY belief).  Of course everyone is an individual, but a young lifter should learn how to lift before they really start to train with heavy weights consistently.  That's done with lesser intensities.  I always tell my young athletes, we're training for future success when we spend time with technique.

Lastly, I welcome large groups of athletes competing at Junior National Competitions.  It might be a lot of work, but it's that kind of work that will help us find that talent that will be able to compete against the best in the world.  I hope there is always going to be lot's of youngsters at National Meets.