What is considered a "misload" in powerlifting?

A "misload" in powerlifting specifically refers to a situation where the barbell is not loaded to the correct weight, which includes instances where it is either too light or too heavy. This can occur due to various reasons, such as a mistake made by the loaders or equipment being improperly secured. The integrity of the weight being lifted is crucial, as it directly impacts the fairness and accuracy of the competition. If a lifter attempts a weight that is misloaded, the results of that lift would be invalid, regardless of the lifter's performance.

The other situations described do not pertain to misloading. A lifter failing their attempt is about their performance rather than the equipment's setup. Dropping the barbell during a lift relates to safety and technique, which, while important, is not classified as a misload. Similarly, switching grips during a lift concerns the lifter's technique and grip strategy, and does not involve the weight on the barbell being incorrectly loaded. Thus, the concept of misloading is specifically bound to improper adjustments made to the barbell's weight.