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IPF Bench Press Rule Change Proposals

Submitted by jon on August 27, 2007 - 6:50pm.

The agenda (pdf) for the October 14 IPF Congress lists two proposals to change the rules of performance for the bench press. They are TR 4 and TR 5. The first is proposed by the IPF Executive and Technical Committees, the second by Luxembourg.

TR 4 proposes to allow any uneven extension of the bar, provided the "whole of the bar" never has any downward motion. TR 5 proposes to allow foot movement, provided the feet always stay flat on the floor.

TR 4:

Page 16 / Change in 8: Bench Press (IPF-EC/TC)

After receiving the signal, the lifter must lower the bar to the chest (the chest, for the purpose of the rule, finishes at the base of the sternum/ breastbone), hold it motionless on the chest, after which the Chief referee will signal the audible command “Press”. The lifter must then return the bar to arms length [ADD: with no downward movement of the whole of the bar. ] [DELETE: with no excessive / immoderate uneven extension of the arms. ] [ADD: Any uneven extension is accepted as long as the whole of the bar doesn’t descend during the uplifting process.]

When held motionless in this position the audible command “Rack” shall be given together with a backward motion of the arm.

When agreed, changes are necessary: delete in “Causes for disqualification of a Bench Press” page 17, item 4. Change item 5: Any downward movement of the whole of the bar. Also in Page 8, “Bench Press, blue card” delete first chapter. In 2 (blue) card. Second paragraph to read - Any downward movement of the "whole" of the bar in the course of being pressed out.

Reason
The uncertainty relating to interpretation. It would appear that very few referees give the benefit of doubt to the lifter, and continuously raise the blue card.

TR 5:

Page 17, Causes for Disqualification of a Bench press (Luxembourg)

2. Any change in the elected lifting position during the lift proper i.e. any raising movement of the head, shoulders, or buttocks, from the bench, [DELETE: or movement of the feet on the floor/ blocks / plates /] or lateral movement of hands on the bar.

New: A movement of the feet on the floor / blocks / plates is allowed, as long as the feet are flat on the floor / blocks / plates.

Reason: If the lifter change his position of the feet then this will be a disadvantage for him, because he loose his stability

When agreed, changes are necessary: in Page 9, “Bench Press, yellow card” in secondchapter.

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Submitted by Ed Kutin (not verified) on August 27, 2007 - 9:04pm. » quote

Now that should really clear things up. The whole of the bar. What exactly does "the whole of the bar" mean? At least havnig the rule say that no part of the bar can descend seems clear enough.

As to the foot movement change, I can see allowing limited movement, perhaps based on the length or width of the foot on the platform, but having it be unlimited as long as the foot stays flat on the platform just doesn't sound right. Saying that this is OK because the lifter will loose (sic) his stability is not a reason for such a basic change to form, nor is it necessarily correct.

Submitted by Nate Dufour (not verified) on August 28, 2007 - 3:54am. » quote

I think those would be some great changes, would love to see those passed!!

Submitted by Ed Kutin (not verified) on August 28, 2007 - 7:32am. » quote

I think a better rule change would be to get rid of the start signal. It's interesting how that seems to have stuck even though the press signal was reinstituted. I think it is entirely unnecessary, and very lifter unfriendly.

Submitted by Jim Patterson on August 28, 2007 - 10:03am. » quote

"the whole of the bar" that is just wide-open for misinterpretation.

It would be easier to follow the more "standard" approach of not allowing the center of the bar, or the portion of the bar between the hands, to drop with respect to the floor during the ascent.

Submitted by Harry (not verified) on August 28, 2007 - 10:43am. » quote

Ed Kutin wrote:

I think the start signal is quite good actually as it helps prevent the soft starts you see in other feds where the handoff man practically helps lower the bar to the lifter's chest.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on August 28, 2007 - 12:27pm. » quote

with regard to bar movement, the statement of the bar not descending in any way is a good point. it is possible to have uneven extension without the bar dipping downward, just an uneven lockout phase. i believe removal of the uneven extension rule to be good in this way as the strictest enforcement proves to be unrealistic and unfairly punitive to the athlete.

the bar should not be permitted to descend in the lockout phase.

as for the start/press/rack... while this was with best of intents, it now results in bombouts due to unrealistic holds while lifters are held to check position and then allowed to go. at any rate, the bench itself is so compromised by the attempts of lifters to circumvent rules and use shirts so tight they cannot realistically prove strength except for that of the shirt, complaints of "soft starts" and other things makes you wonder what the object is of the sport.

the bench press is not the entirety of PL. the obsession with benching more under any circumstances is overshadowing the entire point of the sport, strength of the individual for size and not merely the gross weight performed.

however, giving more tools to the hands of already overly strict ipf referees makes it intolerable for the athlete and coach in the search for reasonable compromise between the athlete seeking to advance and the referee seeking to officiate.

i would suggest a return to the press/rack as a logical medium way in this. this would ensure a pause...and why is a soft start such a concern? the athlete is already required by the rule book to take the bar at full extension and demonstrate control prior to descending. a failure to do so is a cause for the lift to be rejected anyway!

Submitted by Michael on August 28, 2007 - 4:38pm. » quote

The whole bar just means that the bar can stop on one side and the other could raise.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on August 28, 2007 - 8:57pm. » quote

Anonymous wrote:

Right. Exactly the point.

Submitted by Ed Kutin (not verified) on August 28, 2007 - 8:59pm. » quote

sorry, forgot to put my name on this post above.

Submitted by Frank Caminita on August 31, 2007 - 1:14am. » quote

These would be good changes I believe. I would also like to see the rule about head movement be changed. These changes along with a change of help from another non IPF lifter I believe will help the IPF grow as a league.