What are infractions and consequences in Sport Climbing?

Key Fact: Using an artificial aid results in termination of attempt at last legitimately held position.

Section 7: Violations & Penalties

An attempt is terminated (the climber must stop and is scored at their current point) in the following situations:

Fall: The climber detaches from the wall (caught by rope in lead, lands on mat in bouldering)
Time limit exceeded: The clock runs out (6 minutes for lead, 4–5 minutes per boulder problem)
Using an artificial aid: Using a bolt, screw, quickdraw, wall edge, or any feature not intended as a hold. The attempt is terminated at the last legitimately held position.
Using a hold from an adjacent route: Touching or using a hold that belongs to a different route or problem. Attempt is voided.
Skipping a quickdraw (Lead): Climbing significantly above an unclipped quickdraw creates a dangerous fall potential. The judge may stop the attempt for safety.
Starting incorrectly (Bouldering): Not using the designated start holds in the correct position. The attempt does not count, but the athlete may restart within the time limit.

False start: Leaving the start pad before the start tone. First false start per athlete per race = re-run. Second false start by the same athlete = loss of that race.
Lane interference: Reaching across the partition into the opponent's lane (extremely rare due to wall design). Loss of the race.
Equipment failure: If the auto-belay system malfunctions or the timing system fails, the race is re-run. Equipment failures are not counted as attempts.

Communication breach: Receiving information about the routes or problems from outside the isolation zone (via phone, messaging, coaching signals). Penalty: yellow card (warning) or disqualification depending on severity and whether the information conveyed was substantive.
Electronic device use: Using a phone, tablet, or any device capable of receiving external communication while in isolation. Penalty: yellow card or disqualification.
Leaving isolation: An athlete who leaves the isolation zone without permission is not allowed to return and receives a DNF for the remaining problems/routes.

Protests must be filed verbally to the Chief Judge within 5 minutes of the disputed score being displayed
A written protest with a protest fee (refundable if upheld) must follow within 30 minutes
Video review is the primary evidence for resolving disputed holds, touches, and times
The IFSC Jury (composed of the Chief Judge, Technical Delegate, and athletes' representative) makes the final ruling
Appeal beyond the Jury is possible to the IFSC Appeals Tribunal, but only on procedural grounds (not judgement calls)

An attempt is terminated (the climber must stop and is scored at their current point) in the following situations:

Fall: The climber detaches from the wall (caught by rope in lead, lands on mat in bouldering)
Time limit exceeded: The clock runs out (6 minutes for lead, 4–5 minutes per boulder problem)
Using an artificial aid: Using a bolt, screw, quickdraw, wall edge, or any feature not intended as a hold. The attempt is terminated at the last legitimately held position.
Using a hold from an adjacent route: Touching or using a hold that belongs to a different route or problem. Attempt is voided.
Skipping a quickdraw (Lead): Climbing significantly above an unclipped quickdraw creates a dangerous fall potential. The judge may stop the attempt for safety.
Starting incorrectly (Bouldering): Not using the designated start holds in the correct position. The attempt does not count, but the athlete may restart within the time limit.

False start: Leaving the start pad before the start tone. First false start per athlete per race = re-run. Second false start by the same athlete = loss of that race.
Lane interference: Reaching across the partition into the opponent's lane (extremely rare due to wall design). Loss of the race.
Equipment failure: If the auto-belay system malfunctions or the timing system fails, the race is re-run. Equipment failures are not counted as attempts.

Communication breach: Receiving information about the routes or problems from outside the isolation zone (via phone, messaging, coaching signals). Penalty: yellow card (warning) or disqualification depending on severity and whether the information conveyed was substantive.
Electronic device use: Using a phone, tablet, or any device capable of receiving external communication while in isolation. Penalty: yellow card or disqualification.
Leaving isolation: An athlete who leaves the isolation zone without permission is not allowed to return and receives a DNF for the remaining problems/routes.

Protests must be filed verbally to the Chief Judge within 5 minutes of the disputed score being displayed
A written protest with a protest fee (refundable if upheld) must follow within 30 minutes
Video review is the primary evidence for resolving disputed holds, touches, and times
The IFSC Jury (composed of the Chief Judge, Technical Delegate, and athletes' representative) makes the final ruling
Appeal beyond the Jury is possible to the IFSC Appeals Tribunal, but only on procedural grounds (not judgement calls)