Rules and Regulations

c/o Stroud’s Fitness

416 West Bedford Euless Road

Hurst, Texas  76053

(817) 268-3488

stroudsfit@aol.com

International Strength Association

Rules for Preformance

Bench

- The front of the bench must be placed on the platform facing the head referee.

- The lifter must lie backward with shoulders and buttocks in contact with the flat bench surface. The elected position of the buttocks shall be maintained throughout the attempt. The lifter's shoes or toes must be in solid contact with the platform or surface. The position of the head is optional.

- To achieve firm footing, a lifter of any height may use discs or blocks to build up the surface of the platform. Whichever method is chosen, the shoes must be in solid contact with the surface. If blocks are used, they shall not exceed 45 cm. x 45 cm.

- Not more than five and not less than two loaders/spotters shall be on the platform. The lifter may enlist the help of one or more of the designated spotters, or enlist a personal spotter in removing the bar from the racks. Only the designated spotter(s) may remain on the platform during the lift. The lift off must be to arms length and not down to the chest. A designated spotter, having provided a center lift off, must immediately clear the area in front of the head referee and move to either side of the bar. If the personal spotter does not immediately leave the platform area and/or in any way distracts or impedes the head referee's responsibilities, the referees may determine that the lift is unacceptable, and be declared a "No Lift" by the referees and given three red lights.

- The spacing of the hands shall not exceed 81 cm. measured between the forefingers. The bar shall have circular machine markings or tape indicating this maximum grip allowance. If the lifter should use an offset or unequal grip on the bar, whereby one hand is placed outside the marking or tape, it is the lifter's responsibility to explain this to the head referee, and allow inspection of the intended grip prior to making an attempt. If this is not done until the lifter is on the platform for an official attempt, any necessary explanation and/or measurements will be done on the lifter's time for that attempt. The reverse or underhand grip is permitted.

- After receiving the bar at arms length, the lifter shall lower the bar to the chest and await the head referee's signal.

- The signal shall be an audible command "Press", and given as soon as the bar is motionless on the chest.

- The lifter will be allowed only one commencement signal per attempt.

- After the signal to commence the lift has been given, the bar is pressed upward. The bar shall not be allowed to sink into the chest or move downwards prior to the lifter's attempt to press upward. The lifter will press the bar to straight arm's length and hold motionless until the audible command "Rack" is given. Bar may move horizontally and may stop during the ascent, but may not move downward toward the chest.

 

Disqualification of a Bench Press:

- Failure to observe the referee's signals at the commencement or completion of the lift.

- Any change in the elected lifting position or the raising of the buttocks or lateral movement of the hands during the lift between the referee's signals. Any excessive movement or change of contact of the feet during the lift.

- Bouncing the bar off the chest.

- Allowing the bar to sink into the chest after receiving the referee's signal.

- Pronounced uneven extension of the arms during or at the completion of the lift by the judgment of the referees.

- Any downward motion of the bar during the course of being pressed out.

- Contact with the bar by the spotters between the referee's signals.

- Any contact of the lifter's shoes wit the bench or its supports.

- Deliberate contact between the bar and the bar rest uprights during the lift t assist the completion of the press.

- It is the responsibility of the lifter to inform any personally enlisted spotters to leave the platform as soon as the bar is secured at arms length. Such spotters shall not return to the platform upon completion or failure of the attempt. It is especially important for a spotter providing a center lift off to leave the platform quickly, so as not to impair the head referee's view. Failure of any personal spotters to leave the platform may cause disqualification of the lift.