WHY DID WE DO THAT?

USPC 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.