What is required of lifters before starting a lift?

Before starting a lift, it is crucial for lifters to wait for the referee's signal. This signal indicates that all conditions are met for a safe and regulated lift to occur, including the lifter's setup, the bar's proper weighting, and that the competition is ready. The referee's role is to ensure that the lift is executed in accordance with the rules, and their signal serves as an official start to the attempt. The lifter should only engage in the lift once they have received this signal to maintain safety and fairness in the competition setting.

While performing a warm-up routine, receiving confirmation from a coach, or weighing oneself again may be part of an athlete's preparation process, these actions do not directly pertain to the protocol required immediately before a lift. The referee's signal is the essential cue that governs the timing of the lift and adherence to competition standards.