Registration Information Download Kettlebell News Issue #1	Convention Center Website Map & Directions

Workshops and Presentations by leading kettlebell author/experts in applications for martial arts, sports, strength and conditioning, tactical, rehab, personal training, program design and more:

Seminars

Steve Cotter: Full Contact Kettlebells
Andrea DuCane: Flexible Strength and How to Achieve it
Brett Jones: Kettlebell Grip!
Rob Lawrence: Little Things That Make a Big Difference
Mike Mahler: How to Get Big and Strong with Kettlebells
Jeff Martone: Hand-to-Hand Kettlebells
Steve Maxwell: Joint Mobility with Kettlebells
Nate Morrison: Kettlebells for Special Operators
Pavel Tsatsouline: RKC – the Hard Style of Kettlebell Training

Tim Larkin: Intro to Target Focused Training
Charles Staley: EDT + Kettlebells = Muscles and Power
Tony Blauer: Intro to the S.P.E.A.R. System

With Special Guest presentations by:

-Dan John: Kettlebells for Throwers
Dan is ranked Number One in the world in the Highland Games, ages 45-49, broke the American Record in the Weight Pentathlon last August, and holds numerous National Championships in weightlifting and throwing.

Competitions and fun events with prizes:

Kettlebell walking swing relay, Kettlebell throwing contest, 40 kg Kettlebell pullup challenge, 40 kg Hack Squat challenge, Secret Service Snatch Test Challenge, best paint-your-own-kettlebell competition, best kettlebell home video competition, Best Kettlebell personal desissification story.

Competition: Kettlebells in Your Daily Life—Personal Video

As part of the first ever National Kettlebell Convention, Dragon Door Publications is awarding three cash prizes totaling $1,750.00, for the top three videos describing how kettlebells are part of your life.

First prize: $1,000.00
Second prize: $500.00
Third prize: $250.00

Here are the guidelines:

Format: VHS or DVD
Length: maximum of ten minutes.
Content: anything you like that presents how kettlebells are part of your life, the impact they have had.
How to submit: Mail, no later than February 14, to John DuCane, 5 East County Rd B, #3, Little Canada, MN 55117 Include a cover letter with your full contact information. Make a copy of your video/DVD! Your submissions will not be returned to you!

The three winning entries will be shown at the Saturday evening dinner on March 19 at the Kettlebell Convention.

Competition: Best Kettlebell Desissification Story

As part of the first ever National Kettlebell Convention, Dragon Door Publications is awarding three cash prizes totaling $850.00, for the top three written descriptions of how kettlebells have altered your life (AKA your Kettlebell Desissification Story).

First prize: $500.00
Second prize: $250.00
Third prize: $100.00

Here are the guidelines:

Format: Email Word Doc. Attachment or physical typed manuscript.
Length: maximum of 1,000 words
Content: anything you like that describes how kettlebells desissified your life!
How to submit: Mail, no later than February 14, to John DuCane, 5 East County Rd B, #3, Little Canada, MN 55117 Or email the attachment to: support@dragondoor.com Include a cover letter with your full contact information. Make a copy. Your submissions will not be returned to you!

The three winning entries will be announced at the Saturday evening dinner on March 19 at the Kettlebell Convention, then posted on the Dragon Door website and published in Hard-Style.

Competition: Best Paint-Your-Own Kettlebell

As part of the first ever National Kettlebell Convention, Dragon Door Publications is awarding three cash prizes totaling $850.00, for the top three painted kettlebell designs.

First prize: $500.00
Second prize: $250.00
Third prize: $100.00

Here are the guidelines:

Kettlebell: Must be a Dragon Door manufactured kettlebell, ranging from 12kg to 40kg.
Paint: choose a durable finish.
Design: anything you like.
How to submit: Bring the painted kettlebell with you to the convention! All painted kettlebells will be displayed in a specially designated area.

The three winning entries will be announced at the Saturday evening dinner on March 19 at the Kettlebell Convention. Photos of the winning kettlebell designs will posted on the Dragon Door website and published in Hard-Style.

By the way, have you booked your flight and hotel for Las Vegas yet? We recommend you act quickly to avoid disappointment.

Contests

24kg Kettlebell Distance Throwing Contest (12kg for women)
40kg Kettlebell Tactical Pullup Challenge (16kg for women)
40kg Hack Squat Challenge (20kg for women)
US Secret Service 10min 24kg Snatch Test

Kettlebell Distance Throwing Contest

Brett Jones, RKC Sr. explodes.
Photos courtesy IronCoreLaJolla

Event: Throw a kettlebell over your head with one arm for distance.

Kettlebell weights: Men -24kg, Women -12kg

Weight Classes:
Men -under 180lbs., over 181lbs.
Women -under 130lbs., over 131lbs.

Rules:

1. There will be a scratch line the competitor must stay behind and not touch with any part of the body during the attempt.
2. The approved throwing area will be from the scratch line to an area 15' wide and as long as is necessary for the attempts. The kettlebell must land within this area to be considered a valid attempt.
3. The throw will be made with one hand -over the head and behind the competitor.
4. Chalk can be used on the throwing hand and the kettlebell but no other substances or assistive gear are allowed.
5. Each competitor will have three throwing attempts. Multiple swings are allowed.
6. The free hand must stay clear of the body and the kettlebell.
7. Competitors will have a one-minute rest between throws.
8. Distance will be measured by a field judge and the scratch line will be observed by the referee. The referee will also keep time for the rest between attempts for each thrower.
9. The best throw of the three attempts will be marked as the competitors score and the longest throw for each weight class will win for that group. Scratched attempts will not count.

Have fun!

If you have questions about the rules contact Brett Jones, RKC Sr. at bjones_rkc@hotmail.com.

Kettlebell Tactical Pullup Challenge

Jeff Martone, RKC Sr. performing a tactical pullup with 2x53lb. kettlebells on the T.A.P.S. bar.
Photo courtesy Jeff Martone

Event: Tactical pullup with a kettlebell.

Kettlebell weights: Men -40kg, Women -16kg

Weight Classes: None

Rules:

1. The competitor will adjust the height of the Tactical Athlete Pullup System and hang the kettlebell around his/her waist with a provided belt. The competitor may use a stool to reach the bar.
2. The competitor will take a palms-forward thumbless grip (the thumbs may not wrap around the bar) of any width on the bar, begin at a dead hang with the arms fully extended, and then pull up. No kipping, swinging, or any other use of momentum is allowed. Flexing the knees and the hips and crossing the ankles are allowed.
3. The competitor's neck or upper chest must touch the bar for the repetition to be counted. On each attempt the judge will announce the repetition number or "No count."
4. The competitor will then lower back to a dead hang and pause there without movement for a minimum of one second. The elbows must be straight. A competitor who has a congenital condition that prevents him/her from extending the elbows completely must notify the judges at the registration.
5. When the competitor has failed to make three proper repetitions in a row or has let go of the bar, the judge will command "Stop" and announce the number of properly performed repetitions. Only one attempt is allowed.
6. The competitor who performs most reps wins. In case of a tie, the lighter competitor will win.

If you have questions about the rules contact Jeff Martone, RKC Sr. at jeff@h2hkettlebell.com.

40kg Hack Squat Challenge

The Hack squat is a favorite of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu world champion Steve Maxwell, RKC Sr. An 88-pound kettlebell has stopped 600-pound squatters in the tracks in this deceptively easy looking exercise.
Photos courtesy Steve Maxwell

Event: Kettlebell Hack squat

Kettlebell weights: Men -40kg, Women -20kg

Weight Classes: None

Rules:

1. The contestant squats in front of the kettlebell, balancing on his toes, butt to heels, the knees one inch from the wall.
2. The contestant grasps the kettlebell with both hands, lifts it clear of the floor, and holds it with wrists resting against the small of the back, until referee gives the lift command, starting the attempt.
3. The contestant rises to a standing position, with the knees locked and the feet flat on the floor, all motion arrested, before returning to the start position. At that point in time the referee will call out the number of the repetition, signaling that the repetition was legal and countable. If the repetition was uncountable for any reason, the referee will call out “No Count” and the number of the last legal repetition.
4. The attempt continues until the contestant stops or pauses more than 5 seconds in the bottom or top position, until the kettlebell touches the floor signifying unloading, until he executes 3 illegal repetitions in a row, or until the ref terminates the set at his discretion.
5. Any repetition that includes any of the following form breaks will not be counted.
   1. No body part may touch the wall at any time.
   2. Once established, the foot position may not be shifted.
   3. There may be no use of momentum to begin the next repetition.
6. The contestant must come to a full stop in the bottom position before starting another rep.

If you have questions about the rules contact Steve Maxwell, RKC Sr. at Stephenmaxwellms@aol.com.

Like father, like son. Zak Maxwell Hacks by the wall, the way you will do it at the convention.
Photos courtesy Maxercise

The US Secret Service
Kettlebell Snatch 10-Minute Gut Check

A United States Secret Service Counter Assault Team instructor repping out in the kettlebell snatch.
Photo courtesy Tony Blauer

THE USSS COUNTER ASSAULT TEAM TEN-MINUTE SNATCH TEST

Albert Einstein once said that "everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler". We have come to view kettlebell training in this way. I've always loved the simplicity of the training…one man, one bell (sometimes two) and a field of green grass. However, while simple, I also feel that the training can be incredibly difficult, in fact, sinister would be a better description. The history of our ten minute snatch test comes from this philosophy. We do not need incredible amounts of gear or elaborate venues, just one bell, one man and a lot of green grass.

When we developed the test, we were actually looking for something that would push the operators past their physical pain threshold while forcing them to maintain their situational awareness. In our opinion, kettlebell snatches were the perfect fit, as they tested the strength, anaerobic conditioning and intestinal fortitude that every special operator must possess. It's a well known fact that it's most difficult to concentrate when we are extremely exhausted. Therefore, it becomes vitally important to remain focused on the small details (ie sink the hips, breath through the nose, powerfully thrust the hips, stabilize the spine, stabilize the shoulder) while we are performing this test or the results could be catastrophic. We originally believed that snatches for five minutes would do the trick, but quickly realized that this wasn't going to be enough. When an operator performs this test, we find that many look fairly comfortable at the five minute mark. It is at this point that we tell them not to worry, as they will quickly get over it. At approximately seven minutes, the looks of extreme horror begin to come over their faces and we let them know that it will only hurt up until this point, and then it really doesn't get any worse. At nine minutes, it is no longer about who's bigger or stronger, but rather about who has the most guts. At ten minutes, we have the buckets ready!

The test has been a real success and we have not had an injury to date. In addition to all operators regardless of their size using the same 24 kg kettlebell, all that is required are boots, bdu's and a stopwatch. Oh, and I almost forgot, remember to bring the bucket!

Name withheld
United States Secret Service
Counter Assault Team Instructor

US Secret Service Kettlebell Snatch Rules

Uniform

Competitors shall be neat in their appearance and wear long pants, a tucked in T-shirt, and military, S.W.A.T., or hiking boots. The clothes must be clean and pressed, the boots must be clean. The dress code will be strictly enforced.

Trouser belts, if worn, must sit low on the hips and not assist in stabilizing the spine. No lifting belts, wrist wraps, gloves, straps, or other assistance equipment may be used.

Use of chalk

Competitors may use lifter's chalk to improve their grip. The equipment will be cleaned with a solution after each competitor's turn, if necessary or if requested by the next competitor.

The one-arm snatch

In the one-arm snatch the contestant picks up the kettlebell, swings it back between the legs, and snatches it overhead in one uninterrupted movement to a straight-arm lockout. After fixing the kettlebell in the top position, the competitor lowers it all the way down in one smooth motion. The elbow may be bent but the kettlebell may not stop on the chest or shoulder. Girevoy sport technique is allowed.

The snatch may be performed with or without a knee dip at the overhead lockout. The competitor is allowed to place the free hand on the hip (but not on the thigh) and move the feet. However, the competitor must stop all movement when fixing the weight in the top position. The elbow and the knees must be straight.

On each attempt, the judge will announce the repetition number or "No count." A repetition is not registered if the competitor failed to lock out his elbow or knees, pressed out the kettlebell to the finish, or touched the platform with a knee or free hand.

The competitor is allowed to switch hands at any time as many times as he chooses.

The competitor is allowed multiple swings between legs when switching hands or before another snatch.

The competitor is allowed to set the kettlebell down on the platform as many time as he chooses.

2 min before his attempt the competitor is called to the platform. A ten-second countdown is given -10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 -and is followed by the "Start" command.

The competitor is allowed 10 min for his attempt. The referee announces every minute. After 9 min he announces 30 sec, 50 sec, and each of the last five seconds.

A competitor is forbidden to talk during his attempt in this and other lifts.

When the competitor has quit, or committed any rule violation warranting termination of the set, the judge commands "Stop" and announces the number of properly performed repetitions.

Special rules and penalties

If a competitor uses profanity or displays unsportsmanlike conduct during the execution of a set, a penalty will be assessed on that set. The penalty will be the deduction of five repetitions. For repeat violations during a competition, the competitor may be fully disqualified at the judge's discretion.

A Counter Assault Team kettlebell. “When You Only Have 10 Minutes, a Few Good Snatches will Do Ya’!” The spent rounds in the container under the kettlebell are what an average CAT operator shoots during his selection school.
Photo courtesy USSS Special Ops Training Section

Kettlebell Convention Schedule

Saturday, March 19 (9:00 am — 9:00 pm)
Seminars and contests:	9:30 am — 6:00 pm
Evening Buffet and Prize Giving:	7:00 pm — 9:00 pm
Sunday, March 20 (9:00 am — 5:00 pm)
Seminars and contests:	9:30 am — 4:30 pm

Saturday Evening Dinner Buffet included with admission.

Bring the family: children under 16, free admission when accompanied by parents

Important Registration Information Register on-line or call 1-800-899-5111 for credit card orders. Mail check to Dragon Door Publications, 5 East County Rd B, #3, Little Canada, MN 55117 Attendance fee: $300.00 Convention Code #WPKB12 Reference: National Kettlebell Convention $50.00 Cancellation Fee, no exceptions. No refunds on cancellations after March 11, 2005 At the door, or registration after Monday, March 7, 2005: fee is $350.00 (Additional $50.00) Saturday evening Buffet only: Attendance fee: $40.00 Convention Code # WPKB12A Reference: Saturday evening Buffet Buffet at the door, or registration after Monday, March 7, 2005: fee is $50.00 (Additional $10.00)