national meeting proposals

By Dan Wagman

This is the first part in a series of proposals from Dan Wagman that may be discussed at the national meeting.

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(e-mail address active until Juli 1, 2022)

 

  1. AMEND BENCH PRESS RULE TO ALLOW USE OF BLOCKS UNDER A LIFTER’S FEET

In addressing a lifter’s foot placement, the current bench press rule (Rulebook XII.C.) reads:

 

“The feet must be flat on the floor and not braced against the bench during the lift.  Any width of feet placement is allowed. No heel or toe rising is allowed during the lift.”

 

It is therefore not permissible to place plates, blocks, or any similar thing under a lifter’s feet to raise them off the floor. This, however, is essential for many shorter lifters, to include reasons other than just body height or limb length, and many judges have therefore allowed this, contravening the rules of performance for the bench press. It is therefore advisable to clarify the bench press rule via a sentence that allows lifters to elevate their feet off the floor. It is suggested to add this fourth sentence to the section addressing a lifter’s feet:

The use of plates, blocks, or any similar device under the lifter’s feet is permitted

            in an effort to raise them off the floor.

 

  1. JEFFERSON LIFT — FINGERS

         Add the Jefferson Lift — Fingers to USAWA’s contested lifts in line with IAWA-UK. The proposed language for that lift is as follows:

         Jefferson Lift — Fingers: The rules of the Jefferson Lift apply except that the lift will be executed with one of the same fingers on each hand.