Technical Committee Newsletter No 2 2007
Bench Press
Many questions have arisen since the change of rules in relation to the bench press, some from referees who are unsure of clarification or interpretation, perhaps making decision (unfairly) not favouring the lifter.
Q: The Chief Referee in the opinion of the side referees gives the "Press" signal too early i.e. before the bar has been held motionless. Should they pass or fail the lift?
A: Because the lifter is following the command of the Chief Referee, it would be unfair to penalise the lifter by failing the lift. Should the lifter receive red lights because of this, the Jury should award the attempt again.
Note - Of course, this must not happen. As has already been published - To maintain worldwide consistency, a silent count of "one" after the bar has been held motionless at the chest is strongly recommended.
Q: Is it necessary to make a total to achieve a single lift bench press record whilst lifting in a three lift (PL) Meet?
A: No. The lifter must make bona fide attempts on both squat and deadlift (Jury will decide) as in - GENERAL RULES OF POWERLIFTING item 13 page 6 IPF Technical Rules.
Q: Item 9 of Bench Press says that the lifter must produce a certificate issued by the Medical Committee if he / she cannot lock out fully. How does one go about this?
A: Having spoken with Robert Wilks (Medical Committee) on this subject recently, apparently no definite conclusion has been reached. I would suggest that a note of disability in this respect from one's own doctor or certified physiotherapist will suffice.
Q: What if the lifter is deaf?
A: As in "start" and "rack". Stand over the lifter and mouth or gesture "Press"
Q: I have seen the photos relating to - Buttocks on the bench. What should I do as a referee if unsure of correct position?
A: As in all doubtful decisions - Favour the lifter.
Bench Safety Stands
Since the introduction of safety stands manufactured by ER and first used in a World Meet at the 2005 Open Bench Press Championships in Sweden, there have been "one" or "two" different types seen at championships throughout this past year.
One in particular I noted was of little or no use, and in point of fact could have been positively dangerous if the spotters had been reliant on it.
Now that attached bench stands have become mandatory since 1-1-07 the committee feel that they should be considered part of the racks and need "IPF Approval" - Only Bench racks from commercial manufacturers officially registered and approved by the Technical Committee shall be permitted for use in International Powerlifting Championships.
Video Evidence
Much has been written on this subject in previous issues of the T.C. Newsletter. As has been said before, this technology has not been considered when controversy has arisen causing much annoyance to lifters and coaches. Now, perhaps there is some light at the end of the tunnel in this respect.
At the Men's and Women's combined Open Championships in Norway last, the large screen projected images of each lifter's performance taken from three different camera angles - front, rear and overhead. The Jury were better positioned observing the screen than the actual platform, and by playback, managed to keep a lifter from disqualification.
The expense, and facilities involved, to be borne by the Meet Director may make this technology unaffordable at lesser meets. It's worth considering for Internationals!
Bars 2008 (standard markings)
As from the 1st January 2008 all bars used in World Championships will need to have the same measurements in regard to distances of hand holds. The main reason being, that a bar probably only common to the hosts will not now feel alien to "overseas" lifters.
All bars that are now „IPF Approved" will still be legal for use in National, Regional, or Internationals where World Records may be attempted.
Jury (overturning decisions)
Since the rule was written - Jury 9 „Only in extreme circumstances, when there has been an obvious or blatant mistake in the refereeing, will the Jury in consultation with the referees reverse the decision". The Technical Committee have received a number of complaints from coaches on behalf of their lifters. They feel that they have been unfairly treated, in as much as
(1) Subjective decisions e.g. depth of squat do not fit into this category.
(2) Influential Jury Member imposes will on other members.
(3) Referees not consulted in many instances.
The Jury are there to see that the Technical Rules are being applied. The three referees may not necessarily share the same opinion. If this were so, we could dispense with two. To remain objective while sitting in judgement must be the desire of all referees.
Technical Officer?
At many events other than International Championships where a Jury is unable to be formed a Technical Officer is appointed in lieu of. The role is to be questioned. What exactly are the duties? I recently heard of a T.O. overturning decisions of side referees for depth of squat. Surely, this cannot be right. Hardly democratic.
To be present in an advisory capacity, knowing the rule book from cover to cover, and how the rules should be applied would, I assume to be the primary purpose.
Bench Shirt (the future)
There is little to be said that cannot be gathered from the IPF Home Page. www.powerlifting-ipf.com
Basically, all shirts currently approved will remain so (subject to the payment of licensing fees) up until and including the 31st December 2008. There is no suggestion that the shirt will become extinct, but from this date, the material must conform to the parameters of stretchability as laid down in the graph.
Note:-
It is comforting to know that the finding by laboratory testing and scientific analysis proved that all material passed by the Technical Committee met with the criteria as laid down in the IPF Techncial Rules - One /Ply Cotton or Polyester and stretch (if somewhat limited in some).
Commonwealth Championships 2007
The successful inaugural Commonwealth Championships held in Newcastle, England will be followed by this years meet in Christchurch / New Zealand in December.
Originally, to have been held in Fiji, the political situation at the time of change was unstable, hence, the change of venue.
Having recently visited Christchurch, and also to have represented the IPF at the time of the World Open Bench Press Championships in 2002, I can assure all who attend this forthcoming meet, they will receive the friendliest of welcomes in this city, reportedly to be New Zealand's premier tourist attraction.
John Stephenson
Chairman IPF Technical Committee