Topic: New WL Organization

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

hehe. Just become an anarcho-capitalist and I will agree with you 99.9% of the time. 

[eli]

If a lifter wants to exploit the pressout, then he will likely adopt a push-press. He isn't anymore likely to get injured that way, just more likely to get beat by a good split jerk. I just hate to see a meet get ruined for a kid (or several) who are new to the sport because of this pointless rule. And it happens every time.

I think the jerk-pushpress hybrid technique could be more injurious or stressful especially in the absence of a press out rule because lifters will fight the lockout harder before giving up.  With the rule in place, lifters are more likely to give up when they are obviously in the act of committing a grotesque press out. 

Anyway, I think lifters in their first meet should have a box available on the entry form to indicate as such. There is often a novice division or something like that for new lifters.  The head judge or meet organizers can explain the rules to them and be a little accommodating, if necessary.  Sometimes I think there are awards for the best novice or something along those lines, it varies.

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

Most elite lifters will fight to complete lifts even if there is elbow touch or pressout, especially in training. I don't see any evidence the rule promotes greater safety.

[Andy Dick]

I agree that everyone must pick their own battles and pick them carefully.

 
mother of god.......chris just agreed to something!

Its good to have disagreement because they won't tell you what you want to hear.
 
I bounce this issue around my head more and more.  So I am going to just think out loud and let me know what you think.  Without a press out rule there still needs to be a continuous motion because a stop in motion would cause the lift not to count?  Also, wouldn't a complete stop basically spell the failure of a lift most of the time?  Can't you apply the rule there cannot be a stop in motion, or is that basically why there is a press out rule?
 
Is it a liability issue just to drop the rule?  Basically the rule states that if you press out the lift doesn't count, it does not state that you are not to attempt to save a jerk by press out.  So doesn't liability not play a factor?  The press out is incorrect technique, just like in a bad snatch people can get hurt but they don't turn around and sue.  Doing the technique incorrectly and then saving it can be unsafe (a bad snatch can cause all sorts of problems) but might be saved.  A coach will try to teach correct technique obviously because it will help the lifter get more weight in the lift.  Also, is it a standard of care that just has a rule that states if the lift counts or not?  At powerlifting meets I have seen horribly bad form in many lifts and kids getting hurt sometimes as a result but that is because they are doing the lift wrong (isn't the standard of care on the coach not the meet directors)?
 
The other thing I am uncomfortable with the press out rule is it is such a subjective rule.  Once you have a rule that is subjective on judge I no longer like the rule as corruption can seep in.

[Matt Erdman]

A pressout isn't going to occur with the bar being 6 inches from lockout and the lifter slowly grinding it out. It will just be a missed lift. A pressout may occur with the bar an inch from lockout, and most of the time pressed out quickly. Power jerks and pushpresses are done in training and I don't hear people saying they are getting injuries from them.


Andy, I don't think you would be more liable just because your rules are slightly different than IWF. As long as your rules are stated and enforced, then you are good on that. Sport injuries are rampant across the board. Even in cases of obvious foolishness on the part of coaches, you don't see many lawsuits