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Technical Notes: Pending 15 cm Bench Press Rule
L.J. Maile, Ph.D.
Much has been made recently of the proposed 15 cm bench press rule that is very likely to be put into place at the IPF congress in November, in Slovakia. As near as I can tell, as far as it concerns U.S. lifters, it is much adieu about nothing. Having coached approaching 20 U.S. teams competing internationally, and having attended more nationals than I can count right now, it seems to me that this will really probably not affect more than a hand full of our athletes. That includes even the small women who bench using huge arches and wide hand placement. But let's look at the rule itself.
The proposed rule makes it mandatory that there be 15 cm (approx. 6 inches) of distance between the bar and the chest at the start and the completion of the lift. If there is not sufficient potential travel, the "start" signal will not be given. At the conclusion of the lift, the "rack" signal will not be given if the 15 cm signal hasn't been reached.
The enforcement of this rule is accomplished, in extreme circumstances, by the placement of a string on the bar that is 15 cm long. When the string clears the chest, the "start" command may be given. When it clears the chest at the top of the press, the "rack" command will be given. BUT, and here is the big "however": the use of the string is discretionary to the Head Referee. If he or she believes that the lift will have sufficient travel, or has reached the 15 cm threshold, the string will not be used. So, for most lifters, the string will never be employed to assure the proper distance. Most lifters will never see it.
Several possibilities exist with regard to actual practice when and if this rule is implemented. If the lifter, in the judgment of the Head Referee, is not in the proper starting position (as is the case with any improper starting position), a "replace" command may be given. The spotters will replace the bar in the racks and the lifter may try again as long as there is time remaining. When the bar is pressed to arms length and the 15 cm threshold has not been reached, the Head Referee may call for the "rack" if he or she believes the lifter has reached the "apparent finished position." That means that the lifter may, in practice, have a brief time to extend the arms to reach the required travel. This will, of course, be at the discretion of the Head Referee.
The Head Referee may call for the string at any time. Presumably, this will be in the lifter's time, rather than an official time out, so it is important to assure that sufficient potential distance is reached at the beginning of the lift.
So, while this represents a new performance rule, realistically, it is not likely to affect most U.S. lifters. Rather, we may see some benefit from it, in terms of a more level playing field.
LJM
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