Part 4. POWERLIFTS AND RULES OF PERFORMANCEItem 4.1 Squat4.1.1 The lifter shall face the front of the platform.4.1.2 Not more than five and not less than three spotters/loaders shall be on the platform atany time. A lifter may not use their own personal back spotter; they must use the same official meet spotters provided for all other lifters. (See exception 6.2.38)4.1.3 The lifter may enlist the help of the spotter/loaders in removing the bar from the racks;however, once the bar has cleared the racks, the spotters/loaders shall not assist the lifter further with regard to proper positioning, foot placement, bar positioning, etc.4.1.4 The lifter shall not hold the collars, sleeves or plates at any time during the performanceof the lift. However, the edge of the hands gripping the bar may be in contact with the inner surface of the sleeves. After removing the bar from the squat racks or the monolift, the lifter must move backwards by taking one or more steps to establish the properstarting position. The lifter shall assume an upright position with the top of the bar notmore than one bar width below the center line of the medial deltoid. The bar shall be held horizontally across the shoulders with the hands and fingers gripping the bar and the feet flat on the platform with the knees locked. Note: If a mono-lift is used, the swing arm lever pin cannot be removed, or the swing arm lever actuated. The lifter must still un-rack the weight and move backwards to establish his position (see exception2.4.4).26USPA Technical Rules 2024v14.1.5 The lifter shall wait in this position for the Head Referee’s signal. The signal shall begiven as soon as the lifter is motionless with knees locked and the bar properly positioned. The Head Referee’s signal shall consist of a downward movement of the arm-and the audible command "SQUAT".4.1.6 Upon receiving the head Referee’s signal, the lifter must bend the knees and lower thebody until the top surface of the legs at the hip joint is lower than the top of the knees.4.1.7 The lifter must recover at will without double bouncing or any downward movement to an upright position with the knees locked. When the lifter is motionless, the HeadReferee will give the signal to replace the bar.4.1.8 The signal to replace the bar will consist of a backward motion of the hand and the audible command "RACK". The lifter must then make a bona fide attempt to return thebar to the racks.4.1.9 For reasons of safety the lifter will be requested to “re-place” the bar, together with abackward motion of the arm, if after five seconds they are not in the correct position tobegin the lift.4.1.10 The correct bar for each lift shall be used in all competitions. Meet Directors have the option of using either a 20 kg power bar, 25 kg squat bar, or 30 kg squat bar, during anysquat flight. During the bench press only a 20 kg power bar or 25 kg power bar must be used. During the deadlift, only a deadlift specific 20 kg bar must be used. Meet Directors must notify all lifters well before the meet which bars will be used.