NEVADA BARBELL CLUB

The Bench Press

There is no restriction to the position of a lifters head during the bench press. A lifter may complete the lift with a head up or head down position.

A lifter may bench with the feet in a tip toe or flat footed position. The foot cannot lose contact with the floor, however the elevated portion of the foot can move or twist, but not move so much as to step. Once the "Press" command is given,the foot can not change from a heel down to a heel up position, or from a heel pu to a heel down position. At no time shall any part of the foot come in contact with any part of the bench during completion of the lift.

The lifters buttocks must remain in contact with the bench at all times during completion of the lift.

A lifter may immediately begin the descent of the bar upon receiving the handoff or after taking the weight out of the rack.

The bar must pause on the chest and the lifter must wait for the Head Judge to give the "Press" command before beginning moving the bar upward towards the LOCKED OUT position.

Once the lifter has received the "Press" command, the bar can only move upward. A lifter may not allow the bar to sink any deeper into the chest prior to beginning the bars upward motion after receiving the "Press" command.

Once the bar has started upward motion, it may pause, but if it moves downward in any way the lift will be called BAD/NO LIFT and the Head Judge will instruct the spotters to take the bar.
The bar can travel slightly uneven on the way up (not excessively uneven) but both sides must be locked out at the top of the lift at the same time.

The lifter must remain in the LOCKED OUT position at the top of the lift until the Head Judge gives the "RACK" command.

If any spotter touches the bar for any reason during the lift before the Head Judge gives "RACK" command the lift will be determined "NO LIFT".

Once the lifter has received the "RACK" command, the Spotters may help the lifter get the bar back into the rack.

A lifter's HAND OUT person, may remain on the bench step to act as an additional spotter in the interest of the safety of the lifter, but may be instructed to step back or to the side to allow the Head Judge to see the lifter. If there is any doubt to positioning of the HAND OUT person, the Head Judge should be questioned prior to the lifter taking position to begin the lift.

NO ONE is allowed on the platform or in the immediate lifting area other than Judges, Spotters, Hand Out person, Loaders, Meet Officials, and the lifter after the lifter takes position to begin the lift.

Nevada Barbell Club

Phone 849-1613

E-Mail oldguy@nvbarbell.com