2009-03-02T19:26:00.001-08:00

Participation in the Tactical Strength Challenge will benefit
Fitness Without Borders.

Fitness Without Borders (FWB) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, founded in 2007 by Maria Kang. FWB is devoted to the development and fitness education of community leaders organized in a unified effort to foster healthy children.

For more information visit:
www.fitnesswithoutborders.org

2009-02-25T08:33:00.000-08:00

PAYPAL LINK WILL BE UP SHORTLY!
I'm proud to announce there is a huge interest in the Tactical Strength Challenge!

Please email:
AKCRKC@GMAIL.COM

Please leave your First/Last name and contact information.

Thank you for your patience!

Adrian Pimentel RKC

The Tactical Strength Challenge

2009-02-11T19:46:00.000-08:00

The Tactical Strength Challenge

The Tactical Strength Challenge (TSC) is a strength competition consisting of three events:

A three-attempt powerlifting deadlift
Pullups for max reps
Kettlebell snatches for max reps in a 5:00 time period

The winner is determined by combined placement in the three events. For example, if Lifter A finishes third in the deadlift, fifth in pullups, and second in snatches, his score is 10 (3+5+2). The lowest combined score wins. In the event of a deadlift tie, the lighter competitor places higher. In the event of a pullup tie, the heavier competitor places higher. In the event of a snatch tie, the tie stands. In the event of an overall tie (two or more lifters get same combined score), the tie stands.

Tactical Strength Challenge Rules

Contest

The contest must be held on a single day. The events consist of a three-attempt powerlifting deadlift, pullups for max reps, and kettlebell snatches for max reps in a 5:00 time period. There are six competition classes: Men's Open Division, Men's Elite Division, Men's Novice Division, Men's Masters Division, Women's Open Division and Women's Novice Division. Masters competitors will be over 50, the same as the RKC, not the more common over 40. Masters lifters should lift in the same flights as other competitors. The weights used for pullups and snatches vary by competition class as described below.

The events must be contested in the order of deadlift, pullups, snatches. Each competitor must be allowed at least 15 minutes of rest between events but 30-60 minutes is recommended.

Scoring - Local

In the deadlift, the winner is the competitor that successfully lifts the most weight. In the pullups and snatches, the winner is the competitor that successfully performs the most repetitions. The winner is determined by combined placement in the three events. For example:

If Lifter A finishes third in the deadlift, fifth in pullups, and second in snatches, his score is 10 (3+5+2).
If Lifter B finishes first in the deadlift; third in pullups, and third in snatches, his score is 7 (1+3+3).

The lowest combined score wins. In the above example, Lifter B would finish higher than Lifter A (7 is lower score than 10).

In the event of a deadlift tie, the lighter competitor places higher. In the event of a pullup tie, the heavier competitor places higher. In the event of a snatch tie, the tie stands. In the event of an overall tie (two or more lifters get same combined score), the tie stands.

Equipment

The weight belt with a chain is for weighted pullups in the Men's Elite Division. Competitors may use their own weightlifting or powerlifting belts for the deadlift event, but not for other events.

Lifters may not use gloves, knees wraps, supportive clothing, or any other lifting aids.

Event 1: The deadlift

For the deadlift, the bar will be loaded to the weight the competitor specifies and placed on the ground. The competitor will approach the bar and lift it in one continuous motion. When the weight is fully locked out (knees and back fully straightened), the referee will give the "Down" command and the competitor will drop the bar or lower it under control.

The competitor has three attempts and may specify the same weight or a heavier weight in each successive attempt. The competitor may not request a lighter weight after missing with a heavier weight.

Standard, raw division, powerlifting rules apply for TSC deadlifts. An acceptable lifting platform must be provided if the floor may not be used. The lifter and the weights must be level at the start of the lift.

Event 2: Pullups

In all Men's Divisions except Elite, and in the Women's Division, bodyweight pullups are performed. A chinup grip, with the palms facing the lifter, is not allowed; the palms must face away. The grip may be thumbless or not, but most competitors find they do best with a thumbless grip.

In the Men's Elite division, pullups are performed with 22 lbs (10kg) attached to the competitor using a weight belt and chain. The total assembly (weight belt and plates) should weigh between 21 and 23 lbs and should be weighed before the competition. Any assembly of belt and plates in this weight range is official and will count for competition purposes or for TSC records.

For pullups, the competitor will approach the bar, grasp it with both hands, and settle into a dead hang with both arms fully straightened. (Competitors may initially stand on a block or box in order to reach the bar.) After settling into a dead hang, the competitor will pull with both arms, using no kipping or swinging, and pull up until the neck or the chest cleanly touches the bar. The competitor will then lower back to a dead hang and do another rep.

For each successful rep, the referee will count 1, 2, 3, and so on. The set is terminated when the competitor quits or fails to make three successive attempts.

Event 3: Kettlebell snatches

In the Men's Open and Men's Masters division, a 24kg kettlebell is used. In the Men's Elite division, a 32kg kettlebell is used. In the Men's Novice Division, a 16 kg kettlebell is used. In the Women's Division, a 16kg kettlebell is used. In the Women's Novice Division, a 12 kg kettlebell is used. Competitors may use chalk to improve their grip.

A snatch is defined as swinging a single kettlebell between the legs with one arm, bringing the kettlebell overhead in a single motion, and locking it out overhead with a straight arm. After each rep, the competitor will let the kettlebell fall in a single motion (without dropping the kettlebell to the chest or shoulder) and perform another rep. The knees must be locked out at the completion of the lift for the rep to count. The competitor may not use the non-lifting arm to assist the lift in any way - the lift does not count if the free arm or some other part of body touches the platform, the kettlebell, the working arm, the legs, or the torso.

The competitor has 5:00 to perform as many repetitions as possible. The referee will use a timer and tell the competitor when to begin. Once the timer starts, the competitor can snatch with either arm and switch arms as many times as he/she prefers. The competitor can also set the kettlebell down on the ground, rest, or pace on or around the platform (without disturbing other competitors). The set is terminated when the competitor quits or the 5:00 time limit expires. If the competitor violates another technical rule during performance of the set (for example, lowers the kettlebell to the shoulder), the set is not terminated, but the rep preceding the violation does not count. The competitor may resume performing repetitions provided that he/she complies with all relevant rules.

Referee's discretion

The rules of the TSC are basic and straightforward. A brief rules meetings should precede each event but should be brief and not legalistic. The referee may, at his/her discretion, disallow any unorthodox equipment or practice that he/she feels provides a competitor with an unfair advantage. The exact equipment or practice does not have to be disallowed specifically by these rules.

ROAD 2 TSC

The Tactical Strength Challenge

The Tactical Strength Challenge

Tactical Strength Challenge Rules

Contest

Scoring - Local

Equipment

Referee's discretion