<![CDATA[USPC Main - Conquering the Platform]]>

<![CDATA[USPC Main - Conquering the Platform]]>Tue, 15 Sep 2026 21:21:15 -0400Weebly<![CDATA[Veteran sets world records]]>Wed, 21 Aug 2024 11:53:45 GMThttps://www.usplcoal.com/conquering-the-platform/veteran-sets-world-recordsAn injury bounced JoJo Brasseaux from the battlefield during Operation Desert Storm. She credits her military service with helping her push through new challenges.

]]><![CDATA[It's Waaay Too Early For A Friday]]>Sun, 18 Aug 2024 22:26:19 GMThttps://www.usplcoal.com/conquering-the-platform/its-waaay-too-early-for-a-fridayPresident Johnny Layne sits down with John from Garage Gym Life to discuss the USPC and upcoming events.

]]><![CDATA[how is the best lifter determined at a meet? how do i qualify to lift in the pro day at the shack showdown? Let's connect the "dots."]]>Sun, 09 Jun 2024 22:31:09 GMThttps://www.usplcoal.com/conquering-the-platform/how-is-the-best-lifter-determined-at-a-meet-how-do-i-qualify-to-lift-in-the-pro-day-at-the-shack-showdown-lets-connect-the-dotsBy Ayngelia 'Star' Ara, Ph.D., Senior Vice President, United States Powerlifting Coalition

The Dynamic Objective Team Scoring System (DOTS) was introduced into powerlifting scoring models in 2019. DOTS is a newer and more sophisticated formula that aims to solve the same problem in evaluating the lifter's performance as the IPF GL score. In the International Powerlifting Federation's (IPF) 2020 evaluation of scoring models (https://www.powerlifting.sport/fileadmin/ipf/data/ipf-formula/Models_Evaluation-I-2020.pdf), DOTS ranked second to the IPF GL (Goodlift) formula in terms of overall scoring efficacy.

The DOTS formula utilizes the sex of the lifter, the weight lifted, and lifter body weight using the Wilks coefficient. Age is not a part of the formula. The formula is as follows:

Where:
x = Lifter's body weight
w = Total weight lifted
A, B, C, D, and E = parameters in the table below:

The resulting score is a percentage that can be compared to the scores of other athletes regardless of their body weight.

Understanding the significance of the DOTS scoring method is crucial for competitive powerlifters. These scores are a comprehensive indicator of an athlete's overall strength and performance level. By gauging a lifter's abilities across the squat, bench press, and deadlift, these scores provide valuable insights into one's competitive standing. Not only do they allow for comparisons across different weight categories, but they also highlight areas for improvement and growth in training programs. Ultimately, a good score indicates a powerlifter's competence and potential in competitive powerlifting.

A good DOTS score is crucial for powerlifters as it reflects their overall strength relative to their body weight. It helps in assessing progress and setting performance goals. A high score signifies an efficient power-to-weight ratio essential for competitive success. Understanding the significance of a good score motivates lifters to strive for continuous improvement and maintain a balance between strength and body weight, optimizing their performance on the platform.

At a meet, the overall best lifter is determined by the highest DOTS score -- be it male or female. Additionally, other best lifter awards may be announced by a meet director if there a at least five lifters in a specific division (for example: best overall bench press, best Junior raw lifter, best Master's female lifter, best Multi-Ply, etc.).

Invites to the USPC's Pro Day in November 2024 are being sent to lifters based on the highest DOTS scores for years 2023 and 2024 in the raw and wraps divisions. Typically, the lifters that are at the top of the rankings have DOTS scores well into the 600's.

Curious as to what your DOTS score is? Just go to the results for any meet that you have competed in and you can see your DOTS score to see how you stack up against the best in powerlifting.

]]><![CDATA[USPC COACH'S CERTIFICATION SCHEDULED FOR JUNE 8, 2024, IN FREDERICKSBURG, VA]]>Wed, 15 May 2024 11:22:26 GMThttps://www.usplcoal.com/conquering-the-platform/uspc-coachs-certification-scheduled-for-june-8-2024-in-fredericksburg-vaRappahannock Strength and Conditioning

This level 1 USPC Coaching Certification will help you learn coaching for powerlifting from the ground up. The Coaching Certification will cover the science of strength; technique and assessing the squat, bench press, and deadlift; training phases, considerations, and blocks; programming and progression schemes; rest intervals and deload; equipment in training; peaking clients for competitions, and more!

An online exam will be required for completion of this certification along with satisfactory participation and displayed comprehension of the practical training during the certification.

Limit to 15 participants.

If you are interested in being a host facility for a USPC Coach's Certification, please reach out to Johnny@USPC.PL.

]]><![CDATA[Monster's money bench]]>Sat, 11 May 2024 11:16:58 GMThttps://www.usplcoal.com/conquering-the-platform/monsters-money-bench

At the USPC, we like to think outside the box. While the Monster's Money Bench is not a fully original idea to USPC, we have been inspired by Rob Forell and have created a bench only money meet that will be held on Sunday, August 25th in Parkersburg, WV. This meet is open to all lifters; however, all payouts will be based on the DOTS formula, with no age adjustment. State, National and All-Time World Records will be available.

This USPC meet, will feature a Bench Press Only total consisting of the lifters best attempt in Raw, Single Ply & Unlimited!

Equipment:
*F-8 Custom 25kg Bench Bar for all Bench Press
*DynaBody Competition Bench
*Competition bars and kilo set in warm up area

Rules & Format:

Lifters will work to establish a 3-lift total in Raw, Single-Ply and Unlimited gear.
Lifters cannot use more than 5 attempts TOTAL to establish their bench total.
- For example: a lifter may choose to take 1 attempt in Raw, 2 attempts in Single-Ply and 2 attempts in Unlimited.
Lifters will compete in gear flights separately.
- For example: Flight A only Raw attempts, Flight B only Single Ply and Flight C only Unlimited.
Lifters can always wear less gear than required.
- For example: a lifter may establish a Raw bench, next flight establishes a Single-Ply bench number and finally choose to establish an Unlimited bench number while wearing Single-Ply gear. A lifter could opt to use no gear (Raw) in all flights to establish their total.
We will take time between gear divisions to allow lifters to get into their gear and take some warmup attempts.
Best Men's and Women's lifters will be awarded based off their DOTS score combined from all 3 flights (please note we will not use any age adjustments for best lifters).
Cash prize will consist of 1/2 of all entry fees for that gender division.
- For example: 10 men compete for a cash prize of $500. 20 women and their cash prize is $1000.
Half of the proceeds of the admission will go into the prize package.
Sanctioned for State, National and All Time World Records.

Weigh Ins will be on Saturday, the day before the meet at the following times:

10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. and on Sunday (day of the event) at 9am.

We will be holding to a strict weigh in schedule which will be crucial to staying on time. No late weigh ins will be allowed.

On the day of the Meet:

Rules meeting at 9:30 a.m. and warm ups will start at 10a.m.

Please keep in mind the registration is only for the meet. You will still need to be a member of the USPC. Memberships will not be sold at the meet. Purchase your annual membership at USPC Membership

Lifters are encouraged to read the USPC Rulebook.

Spectators $20 admission fee at door, children 12 and under are free (and remember, half of the proceeds of the admission will go into the prize package).

Details & Registration

]]><![CDATA[WHY DID WE DO THAT?]]>Thu, 09 May 2024 12:10:54 GMThttps://www.usplcoal.com/conquering-the-platform/why-did-we-do-thatUSPC RULEBOOK
REASONS FOR RED LIGHTS SECTION 4.03 iii(f)
"Feet touching the bench or supports."

As a meet director, it is frustrating to see a lifter have a lift turned down and at risk of bombing out of a meet for an infraction that is easily avoidable. In most cases, red lights on the platform can be avoided if the lifter has been coached properly and if they have read the "USPC Technical Rules for Lifters." We understand: reading is not always enjoyable for some, but bombing out of a meet for a technical error is not fun, either.

We always encourage lifters to read the Rulebook. A link to our Rulebook is placed into every lifter email. The Rulebook can be found on our website and our Rulebook (believe it or not), is organized into sections that make it much easier to understand than most rulebooks, especially for new lifters.

And by the way, if your coach or handler has not taken the time to read the Rulebook for whatever federation you are lifting in for a specific meet, you may need to reconsider your life choices.

Regardless, in our 4.03 Section, Rules for Red Lights, you can see a very detailed list of reasons for red lights which, for the most part, are easily avoidable, if you have done your homework.

For this month's "Why did they do that?" rule infraction, we are going to focus on the bench press and the reason for the red light of a lift if a lifter's feet have touched the bench/supports of the bench while completing their lift.

In April, several lifters had to face the unfortunate denial of their bench press because their feet were clearly touching the middle support under the bench on the platform. Because a lifter can push against the support to gain extra leverage so that they are able to transfer power to aid in completing the lift, this provides an unfair advantage and is therefore, a reason for the red light.

A lifter can also use that support to aid in pulling their hips down in efforts to prevent their butt from lifting off the bench during the lift. Again, an unfair advantage.

The USPC takes pride in eliminating any rules that were in place "just because we've always done it that way," or if the limitation imposed by a rule did not give a lifter an advantage or promote the safety of a lifter or meet staff.

In this instance, a lifter having their feet touch the bench/supports -- whether or not they utilize the contact to aid in the lift -- is clearly an unfair advantage and it is only proper that the lift is turned down.

Do you have a question about one of our "Reasons for Red Lights" and why that rule is in place? If so, message us and we may address your question in our next newsletter.

]]><![CDATA[Ray Gallegos sets an all-time world record at the uspc Pacific Northwest Regional Championship in Manteca CA]]>Wed, 08 May 2024 13:00:16 GMThttps://www.usplcoal.com/conquering-the-platform/ray-gallegos-sets-an-all-time-world-records-at-the-uspc-pacific-northwest-regional-championship-in-manteca-caRay set an all-time world record in the Master 55-59 bench only division at our regional qualifier. Ray competed in the Multi-Ply division in the 75k weight class, weighing in at just 163.3 pounds. At age 55, Ray captured an all-time-world record in his division, benching 502.6 pounds! Check out Ray's Instagram below and see how he has stays at the top of his class.

]]>