Weightlifting
The two lifts
The Snatch
The barbell is placed
horizontally in front of the
lifters legs. It is gripped, palms downwards and pulled in a single
movement from the platform to the full extent of both arms above the
head, while either splitting or bending the legs.
During this
continuous movement, the
barbell may slide along the thighs and the lap. No part of the body
other than the feet may touch the platform during the execution of the
lift.
The weight, which has been lifted, must be maintained in the
final motionless position,
arms and legs extended, the feet on the same line, until the Referees
give the signal to replace the barbell on the platform. The lifter may
recover in his or her own time, either from a split or a squat position,
and finish with the feet on the same line, parallel to the plane of the
trunk and the barbell.
The Referees give the signal to lower the barbell as soon as the lifter
becomes motionless in all parts of the body.
The Clean & Jerk
First Part: The Clean
The barbell is placed horizontally in front of the lifters legs. It is gripped, palms downwards and pulled in a single movement from the platform to the shoulders, while either splitting or bending the legs. During this continuous movement, the barbell may slide along the thighs and the lap. The barbell must not touch the chest before the final position. It then rests on the clavicles or on the chest above the nipples or on the arms fully bent. The feet return to the same line, legs straight before performing the Jerk. The lifter may make this recovery in his or her own time and finish with the feet on the same line, parallel to the plane of the trunk and the barbell.
Second Part: The Jerk
The athlete bends the legs and extends them as well as the arms to bring the barbell to the full stretch of the arms vertically extended. He or she returns the feet to the same line; arms and legs fully extended, and waits for the Referees signal to replace the barbell on the platform. The Referees give the signal to lower the barbell as soon as the lifter becomes motionless in all parts of the body.
Want to learn more? Check out the International Weightlifting Federation Website