Movement standards
Exactly what counts as a rep at URU Games, movement by movement. Athletes: know it before race day. Judges: apply it the same way to every athlete, from the first rep to the last.
How judging works
- A judge watches every repetition and decides whether it meets the standard on this page.
- A rep that meets the standard counts. The judge counts good reps aloud.
- A rep that does not is called NO REP. It does not count, and the athlete repeats it immediately.
- There is no time penalty at any station. The cost of a no-rep is the extra rep.
- Use only the equipment provided, in the way this page describes.
- All athletes should familiarise themselves with these movement standards before the race. Knowing them is on you.
- The Head Judge’s decision on whether a rep meets the standard is final for the purpose of competition (Athlete Terms & Conditions §6.7).
- Loads are shown men / women. Dumbbell loads are per dumbbell (each side).
Zone 1 · MetCon · first movement
DB Thruster
| Category | Reps | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | 25 | 7.5 kg | 5 kg |
| Elite | 50 | 12.5 kg | 7.5 kg |
Start position
- Standing tall, one dumbbell in each hand, held at the shoulders.
- Feet about shoulder-width apart.
Movement
- Squat until the hip crease is clearly below the top of the knees.
- Drive up out of the squat and, in one movement, press both dumbbells overhead.
- Finish standing tall: hips and knees fully extended, both arms locked out, both dumbbells directly over the shoulders.
- Return the dumbbells to the shoulders to begin the next rep.
Rep counts when
The athlete has squatted below parallel, then reaches full hip and knee extension with both dumbbells locked out directly overhead.
No rep if
- Hip crease does not pass below the top of the knees.
- Athlete does not reach a full standing position.
- One or both arms are not locked out.
- Dumbbells finish in front of the body instead of directly overhead.
- The dumbbells do not reach lockout together.
Judge cue Depth — Lockout
Zone 1 · MetCon · second movement
KB Swing (Russian)
| Category | Reps | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | 25 | 20 kg | 16 kg |
| Elite | 50 | 24 kg | 20 kg |
Start position
- Kettlebell on the ground in front of the athlete.
- Both hands on the handle.
Movement
- Hike the kettlebell back between the legs.
- Drive the hips forward to swing the kettlebell up.
- At the top, the hips and knees are fully extended and the kettlebell reaches the target height: approximately chest to eye level.
- Let the kettlebell swing back between the legs and go straight into the next rep.
Rep counts when
The athlete reaches full hip and knee extension and the kettlebell reaches the target height.
No rep if
- Kettlebell does not reach the target height, or the athlete stops it short.
- Hips or knees are still bent at the top.
- The swing is driven by squatting rather than by the hips.
- The kettlebell is pressed up with the arms instead of swung.
Judge cue Height — Extend
Zone 1 · MetCon · third movement
DB Rack Walking Lunge
| Category | Distance | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | 20 m | 10 kg | 7.5 kg |
| Elite | 20 m | 15 kg | 10 kg |
Start position
- Standing tall, one dumbbell in each hand, racked at chest level with the elbows bent.
- Feet about hip-width apart.
Movement
- Step forward into a lunge until the rear knee touches the ground.
- Drive through the front foot to full hip and knee extension.
- Step forward with the other leg into the next lunge. Legs alternate on every rep.
- Keep moving forward inside the lunge lane, with the dumbbells racked throughout.
Rep counts when
The rear knee touches the ground, and the athlete then reaches full hip and knee extension before beginning the next lunge.
No rep if
- Rear knee does not touch the ground.
- Athlete does not reach a full standing position.
- Athlete starts the next step before finishing the previous rep.
- The same leg leads two reps in a row.
- Dumbbells are not racked while lunging, or are deliberately supported on the body.
- Athlete steps outside the lunge lane or leaves the prescribed course.
Judge cue Rack — Knee — Stand — Alternate
Zone 2 · Endurance · after the long run
Burpee to Plate
| Category | Reps | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | 25 | Bodyweight | Bodyweight |
| Elite | 50 | Bodyweight | Bodyweight |
Start position
- Athlete stands behind the plate.
- The plate stays flat on the ground throughout.
Movement
- Place both hands on the ground and jump or step both feet back.
- Lower until the chest and thighs touch the ground.
- Return to standing.
- Jump or climb onto the plate so that both feet are completely on it.
- Step back down behind the plate. Both feet return to the ground before the next rep.
Rep counts when
Chest and thighs have touched the ground, and both feet are then completely on top of the plate.
The hands do not need to touch the plate. The athlete may jump or climb onto the plate, provided both feet are fully on it before stepping back down.
No rep if
- Chest or thighs do not touch the ground.
- Only one foot reaches the plate, or a foot is only partly on it.
- Athlete starts the next rep without stepping back down from the plate.
- Both feet are not back on the ground before the next rep begins.
Judge cue Chest — Plate
Judges card
At a glance
| Movement | Rep counts when | No rep if | Cue |
|---|---|---|---|
| DB Thruster | Hip crease below knee, then full standing with both dumbbells locked out overhead | Not deep enough, not fully standing, or arms not locked out together and directly overhead | Depth — Lockout |
| KB Swing (Russian) | Full hip and knee extension, kettlebell reaches target height (chest to eye level) | Short of target height, hips or knees bent at the top, squatted or pressed | Height — Extend |
| DB Rack Walking Lunge | Dumbbells racked, rear knee touches the ground, full standing extension, legs alternate | Knee doesn’t touch, not fully standing, same leg twice, next step too early, dumbbells not racked, outside the lane | Rack — Knee — Stand — Alternate |
| Burpee to Plate | Chest and thighs touch the ground, then both feet completely on the plate | Chest or thighs miss the ground, one or partial foot on the plate, no step back down | Chest — Plate |
A no-rep does not count toward your required reps. The full category rules and safety requirements are in the Athlete Terms & Conditions.