Stop the clock

[William MG]

I watched your local meet on the weekend Rip, well done to all. It is also great to see my coach (JD) not only talks the talk, but walks the walk.

There were times when you called out "stop the clock" and weight was added to the bar and you mentioned strategy a few times.

I don't understand this stuff. Do you mind explaining?

Thank you

[Mark Rippetoe]

The rules of Olympic weightlifting -- most of which we followed this time -- allow two changes to the attempt weight after the initial weight is given. Those changes can come at any time after the attempt has been turned in up until 30 seconds before the attempt must be started. So it you are following yourself, i.e. you just lifted 121 and you call for 122 with no one in front of you, which gives you 2 minutes rest before the next attempt, you can change that attempt twice more as long as the changes are called before the last 30 seconds of the 2 minutes. The time spent changing the plates is more rest for you.

[William MG]

Thank you