The TSC is a strength competition consisting of three events:
A three-attempt powerlifting deadlift
Pullups for max reps
Kettlebell snatches for max reps in a 5:00 time period
The winner is determined by combined placement in the three events. For example, if Lifter A finishes third in the deadlift, fifth in pullups, and second in snatches, his score is 10 (3+5+2). The lowest combined score wins. In the event of a deadlift tie, the lighter competitor places higher. In the event of a pullup tie, the heavier competitor places higher. In the event of a snatch tie, the ligher competitor places higher. In the event of an overall tie (two or more lifters get same combined score), the tie stands.
Purpose
The purpose of the TSC is to test absolute strength (deadlift), bodyweight-relative strength (pullups), and cardiovascular endurance (kettlebell snatches). The three events test a unique trade-off between these abilities. Heavier participants have an advantage in the deadlift, lighter participants have an advantage in pullups. The kettlebell snatch tests all participants more or less equally.
Classes of Competition
There are two classes of competition. The Men's Division uses a max deadlift, pull-ups with 10kg of added weight, and snatches with a 24kg kettlebell. The Women's Division uses a max deadlift, bodyweight pullups, and snatches with a 12kg kettlebell.
There are no weight classes, since the different events variously favor heavier or lighter competitors by design.
History
The original TSC was developed by Pavel Tsatsouline. We have made a couple of changes from the original competition. In the original, the events included one-legged squats ("pistols") done with a kettlebell. The new TSC substitutes the deadlift, which is simpler and more user-friendly. Also in the original, kettlebell snatches were done with only one switch of the arm allowed, and were not timed. We have changed the rules to allow multiple switches and imposed a 5:00 time limit. These changes make snatches less technical and a harder test of cardiovascular fitness. The 10kg used for pullups in the Men's Division comes from an old standard used by some Soviet special forces units (Spetznatz). This standard specified that candidates would be able to do 18 strict pullups with 10kg of added gear.
Tactical Strength Challenge Rules
Contest
The contest must be held on a single day. The events consist of a three-attempt powerlifting deadlift, pullups for max reps, and kettlebell snatches for max reps in a 5:00 time period. There are three competition classes: Men's Division and Women's Division.
The events must be contested in the order of deadlift, pullups, snatches. Each competitor must have 15-30 minutes of rest between each event.
Scoring
In the deadlift, the winner is the competitor that successfully lifts the most weight. In the pullups and snatches, the winner is the competitor that successfully performs the most repetitions. The winner is determined by combined placement in the three events.
For example:
If Lifter A finishes third in the deadlift, fifth in pullups, and second in snatches, his score is 10 (3+5+2).
If Lifter B finishes first in the deadlift; third in pullups, and third in snatches, his score is 7 (1+1+3).
The lowest combined score wins. In the above example, Lifter B would finish higher than Lifter A (7 is lower score than 10).
In the event of a deadlift tie, the lighter competitor places higher. In the event of a pullup tie, the heavier competitor places higher. In the event of a snatch tie, the tie stands. In the event of an overall tie (two or more lifters get same combined score), the tie stands.
Equipment
The equipment consists of a standard Olympic bar and plates, a 12kg or 24kg kettlebell, a pullup bar, a weight belt with a chain, and a timer. The pullup bar should be high enough so that tall competitors can use it without excessively bending their legs. It should also be sturdy enough to handle heavier competitors and kettlebells.
The weight belt with a chain is for weighted pullups in the Men's Division. Competitors may use their own weightlifting or powerlifting belts for the deadlift event, but not for other events.
Deadlift
For the deadlift, the bar will be loaded to the weight the competitor specifies and placed on the ground. The competitor will approach the bar and lift it in one continuous motion. When the weight is fully locked out (knees and back fully straightened), the referee will give the "Down" command and the competitor will drop the bar or lower it under control.
The competitor has three attempts and may specify the same weight or a heavier weight in each successive attempt. The competitor may not request a lighter weight after missing with a heavier weight.
Pullups
In the Women's Division bodyweight pullups are performed. In the Men's Division, pullups are performed with 10kg attached to the competitor using a weight belt and chain. The total assembly (weight belt and plates) should weigh 10kg and should be weighed before the competition.
For pullups, the competitor will approach the bar, grasp it with both hands with a thumbless pronated grip, and settle into a dead hang with both arms fully straightened. (Competitors may initially stand on a block or box in order to reach the bar.) After settling into a dead hang, the competitor will pull with both arms, using no kipping or swinging, and pull up until the neck or the chest cleanly touches the bar. The competitor will then lower back to a dead hang and do another rep.
For each successful rep, the referee will count 1, 2, 3, and so on. The set is terminated when the competitor quits or fails to make three successive attempts.
Kettlebell snatches
In the Men's division, a 24kg kettlebell is used. In the Women's Division, a 12kg kettlebell is used. Competitors may use chalk to improve their grip. A snatch is defined as swinging a single kettlebell between the legs with one arm, bringing the kettlebell overhead in a single motion, and locking it out overhead with a straight arm. After each rep, the competitor will let the kettlebell fall in a single motion (without dropping the kettlebell to the chest or shoulder) and perform another rep.
The competitor has 5:00 to perform as many repetitions as possible. The referee will use a timer and tell the competitor when to begin. Once the timer starts, the competitor can snatch with either arm and switch arms as many times as he/she prefers. The competitor can also set the kettlebell down on the ground, rest, or pace on or around the platform (without disturbing other competitors). The set is terminated when the competitor quits or the 5:00 time limit expires. If the competitor violates another technical rule during performance of the set (for example, lowers the kettlebell to the shoulder), the set is not terminated, but the rep preceding the violation does not count. The competitor may resume performing repetitions provided that he/she complies with all relevant rules.
Referee's discretion
The rules of the TSC are basic and straightforward. A brief rules meetings should precede each event but should be brief and not legalistic. The referee may, at his/her discretion, disallow any unorthodox equipment or practice that he/she feels provides a competitor with an unfair advantage. The exact equipment or practice does not have to be disallowed specifically by these rules.
What is Tactical Strength?
Pavel Tsatsouline created the original Tactical Strength Challenge as a test of his own training ideal. You can read Pavel's ideas in his books Power to the People, The Russian Kettlebell Challenge, Beyond Bodybuilding, and others. We asked him to define "tactical strength" and he provided the answer below.
Many men and women participating in kettlebell lifting in Australia are from military backgrounds. Note, however, that (a) you do not need to be in the military or be a veteran to participate in the TSC, and (b) we do not claim that training for or participating in the TSC would fully prepare you for combat or any military operation.
Time: 7:00AM
