In the world of powerlifting, comparing lifters across different body weights is essential to determine relative strength and fairness in competition. This is where the DOTS score—short for “Dynamic Objective Team Scoring”—comes into play. It’s a widely-used formula that helps level the playing field by standardizing performances regardless of a lifter’s body weight. Whether you’re new to powerlifting or a seasoned competitor, understanding the DOTS score is crucial for evaluating progress and competing effectively.
What is the DOTS Score?
The DOTS score is a mathematical formula used to normalize powerlifting totals based on a lifter’s body weight. It provides a single number that represents a lifter’s relative strength, allowing for fair comparisons across all weight classes.
The score takes into account:
- The lifter’s total: The combined weight lifted in the squat, bench press, and deadlift.
- Body weight: The lifter’s weight on competition day.
The DOTS Formula
For real powerlifting nerds who want to calculate their DOTS longhand (remember to show all work! sorry, old math class joke), the DOTS formula is as follows:
DOTS Score=Total Weight Lifted (kg)×a+b(BW)+c(BW2)+d(BW3)+e(BW4)500
Here:
- Total Weight Lifted (kg): Your combined total from the squat, bench press, and deadlift.
- BW: Your body weight in kilograms.
- a, b, c, d, e: Coefficients derived from statistical modeling to ensure accurate scaling across various body weights.
These coefficients are carefully designed to balance the advantage heavier lifters might have in absolute strength and the lighter lifters’ advantage in relative strength.
Why Use the DOTS Score?
The primary purpose of the DOTS score is to make strength performance comparisons fair and unbiased. In powerlifting competitions, weight classes ensure lifters compete against those of similar body weight. However, the DOTS score allows for comparison beyond these weight classes.
Key Benefits:
- Standardized Comparisons: DOTS accounts for the natural scaling of strength and body weight, ensuring lifters of all sizes are evaluated equally.
- Ranking Lifters Across Divisions: In competitions with overall winners (e.g., “Best Lifter”), DOTS provides a consistent method to identify the strongest lifter, regardless of weight class.
- Tracking Progress: Lifters can use their DOTS score as a personal metric to evaluate improvements in relative strength over time.
How Does the DOTS Score Compare to Other Formulas?
Prior to the DOTS formula, other systems like the Wilks formula and IPF Points were used to calculate relative strength. The DOTS formula has largely replaced these older methods due to its improved accuracy and fairness. Many lifters and federations now favor DOTS because it better reflects the realities of strength scaling across various body weights.
What is a Good DOTS Score?
A good DOTS score depends on your level of experience and competition goals. Here’s a general breakdown:
- Elite (550+): Among the best in the world, capable of winning at high-level national and international meets.
- Advanced (500–549): A highly competitive score, often seen in regional and national podium finishers.
- Intermediate (400–499): Solid lifters, competitive at local meets and steadily improving.
- Beginner (<400): Still building strength, typically new to the sport.
How to Improve Your DOTS Score
If you want to increase your DOTS score, focus on these key areas:
- Maximize Total: The simplest way to boost your score is to increase your squat, bench press, and deadlift numbers.
- Optimize Body Weight: Maintaining an efficient body composition can improve relative strength.
- Perfect Technique: Improving lifting efficiency can help you move heavier weights without sacrificing energy.
- Compete Strategically: Select your weight class and attempt strategy to maximize your total while staying competitive.
- Train with a good program: Consistency is key, but so is the right training.
What Does an Elite DOTS Score Look Like?
Let’s take a look at our favorite, Ed Coan, widely regarded as one of the greatest powerlifters of all time. Ed achieved a personal best DOTS score of 671.64. Yes, 671.64. This remarkable score was attained during the 1991 USPF Senior Nationals, where he competed in the 220-pound weight class and achieved a total lift of 2,405.6 pounds (1,091.2 kg) with a 959 lb squat, 545.6 lb bench, and a 901 lb deadlift.1
Final Thoughts
The DOTS score is more than just a number; it’s a tool for measuring strength potential and growth in powerlifting. Whether you’re chasing personal records or competing for Best Lifter titles, the DOTS score allows you to gauge your progress and push your limits in a fair and consistent way.
As the sport of powerlifting continues to grow, the DOTS formula remains a cornerstone of fair competition, celebrating the incredible strength of lifters across all weight classes. So the next time you step onto the platform, let the DOTS score be your guide to achieving new heights in the sport!
- https://www.openpowerlifting.org/u/edcoan ↩︎
