Download BENCH PRESS COMPETITION RULES

BENCH PRESS COMPETITION
RULES
EQUIPMENT:
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A headband or sweatband is permitted; hats, bandanas, and “do-rags” are not
permitted.
Rubber, cloth, or elastic bands may be used to control hair. Hard items such as
beads, barrettes, and bobby pins are not permitted.
Lifters may lift in any attire so long as it is non-supportive. Supportive attire shall
mean bench press shirts, elbow sleeves or wraps of any design, and any
equipment meant or used to approximate the function of those items.
Wrist wraps of any length and construction may be worn.
Belts of any width, thickness or construction are not allowed.
Closed toe shoes are required.
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THE LIFT:
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The lifter will lie on the bench with shoulder blades and buttocks in contact with
the bench, and feet in contact with the floor. Neither the shoulder blades nor
the buttocks may be raised off the bench at any point in the attempt, nor may
the feet be lifted completely off the floor.
The lifter will grip the bar anywhere between the rack uprights.
The lifter will remove the bar from the rack with or without the assistance of the
centre spotter (hand-off). No other assistance in removing the bar from the rack
will be permitted. No other assistance other than the hand-off is permitted at
any point in the lift.
After removing the bar from the rack the lifter will hold the bar at arms’ length
(elbows locked out) until the judge gives the START command.
Upon receiving the START command, the lifter will lower the bar with control
until it touches the lifter’s chest at or above the bottom of the sternum.
The lifter will hold the bar motionless on the chest until the judge gives the
PRESS command. The judge will give the command as soon as the bar is
motionless and will not enforce a pause of specific duration.
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The lifter will press the bar to arms’ length (elbows locked out). Once the bar
has started to move up it cannot move back down for any reason.
The lifter will hold the bar at arms’ length until the judge gives the RACK
command. At that point the spotters will assist the lifter in replacing the bar in
the rack.
A successful lift will be one in which the lifter follows all of the rules listed above.
The lifter will have a maximum of one minute from the time his/her hands are
placed on the bar to begin the attempt.
CAUSES FOR DISQUALIFICATION:
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Failure to observe the judge’s signals or commands.
Any change in the elected position of the shoulders, raising of the buttocks from
the bench, lateral movement of the hands, not controlling the bar while it is
ascending or descending, or excessive movement of the feet during the lift.
Inadequate pause of the bar on the chest, as well as heaving or bouncing the
bar off the chest.
Allowing the bar to sink into the chest on the upward press.
Uneven extension of the arms during the lift.
Any downward motion of the bar on the upward press.
Contact with the bar by the spotter during the lift.
Deliberate contact with the up-rests of the bench and the bar in order to assist
the lift.
REGISTRATION:
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Competitors must register in advance at Membership Services in the Athletic
Centre. The deadline to do so is 5:00pm on Tuesday, March 11, 2014.
Registration must be accompanied by a performance bond of $20.00. This bond
is completely refundable as long as the competitor takes part in the event.
Competitors will be contacted by email with the approximate time of their first lift.
The schedule will also be posted on the Intramural web site,
www.uoftintramurals.ca.
COMPETITION:
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Each competitor may attempt a maximum of three lifts. Before each lift the
competitor will be required to inform the judge/convenor of the weight he/she will
attempt to lift.
Each competitor will be required to arrive early so that a weigh-in may be
conducted. Competitors may choose to not wear shoes for the weigh-in.
Placing in each weight class will be determined by the best successful attempt
only. The overall placing will be determined by ranking lifters based on dividing
their best successful lift by their actual bodyweight as recorded at the weigh-in.
A championship t-shirt will be awarded to the first place finisher in each weight
class.
There will be competitions in the following weight classes:
MEN
WOMEN
Less than 125 lbs.
Less than 110 lbs.
125 – 149 lbs.
111 – 124 lbs.
150 – 174 lbs.
125 – 149 lbs.
175 – 199 lbs.
150 – 174 lbs.
200 – 224 lbs.
Heavyweight class
Heavyweight class
175 lbs. or over
225 lbs. or over