During bench press, which action constitutes a change in lifting position that is considered a fault?

During bench press, which action constitutes a change in lifting position that is considered a fault?

• A. Failure to observe the chief referee signals
• B. Any movement of the head or shoulders during the lift
• C. Contact with the lifters feet or its supports
• D. No lift

Answer: (B)

In bench press, the lifter must keep a fixed position on the bench from the moment the command is given until the bar is racked. Any movement that changes that position is a fault because it alters the bar path, balance, and the leverage the lifter is using, which can be unsafe and unfair. Moving the head or shoulders during the lift directly changes the lifter’s position on the bench, violates the requirement to remain in contact with the bench, and therefore is disallowed. Failing to observe referee signals is a procedural issue, not a change in body position; contact with the feet or its supports concerns setup and stability but does not describe a shift in the lifted position during the attempt; and “no lift” simply indicates the attempt didn’t complete, not a positional change during the lift.

In bench press, the lifter must keep a fixed position on the bench from the moment the command is given until the bar is racked. Any movement that changes that position is a fault because it alters the bar path, balance, and the leverage the lifter is using, which can be unsafe and unfair. Moving the head or shoulders during the lift directly changes the lifter’s position on the bench, violates the requirement to remain in contact with the bench, and therefore is disallowed. Failing to observe referee signals is a procedural issue, not a change in body position; contact with the feet or its supports concerns setup and stability but does not describe a shift in the lifted position during the attempt; and “no lift” simply indicates the attempt didn’t complete, not a positional change during the lift.