first bench meet

<[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

... for a friend. I've never observed or participated in one either.
I imagine IPA rules will apply. What kind of strategy should be used
in selecting weights for the three attempts? He's going to try for a
max of 375-380 - a weight he's never done without a slight spot from
me at the bottom sticking point.

http://www.usapowerlifting.com/newsletter/05/features/features.html

Agrees with what I've heard. First attempt should be something you've
tripled in the gym, second should be something you're still pretty sure
of getting, often a slight PR if training and taper has been going well.

-S-
http://www.kbnj.com

Steve Freides said:

http://www.usapowerlifting.com/newsletter/05/features/features.html

Agrees with what I've heard. First attempt should be something you've
tripled in the gym, second should be something you're still pretty sure
of getting, often a slight PR if training and taper has been going well.

Thanx Steve

<[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Steve Freides said:

http://www.usapowerlifting.com/newsletter/05/features/features.html

Agrees with what I've heard. First attempt should be something you've
tripled in the gym, second should be something you're still pretty
sure
of getting, often a slight PR if training and taper has been going
well.

Thanx Steve

No problem. In the two meets I've done, it's the approach I've used and
I went 8 for 9 both times so it seems about right to me.

-S-
http://www.kbnj.com

Steve Freides said:

<[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Steve Freides said:

http://www.usapowerlifting.com/newsletter/05/features/features.html

Agrees with what I've heard. First attempt should be something you've
tripled in the gym, second should be something you're still pretty
sure
of getting, often a slight PR if training and taper has been going
well.

Thanx Steve

No problem. In the two meets I've done, it's the approach I've used and
I went 8 for 9 both times so it seems about right to me.

-S-
http://www.kbnj.com

What about spotters? The meets supply their own, right? One for each
side of the bar?

<[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Steve Freides said:

<[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

On Sat, 26 Mar 2005 13:58:15 -0500, "Steve Freides"
<[email hidden]> wrote:

>http://www.usapowerlifting.com/newsletter/05/features/features.html
>
>Agrees with what I've heard. First attempt should be something
>you've
>tripled in the gym, second should be something you're still pretty
>sure
>of getting, often a slight PR if training and taper has been going
>well.

Thanx Steve

No problem. In the two meets I've done, it's the approach I've used
and
I went 8 for 9 both times so it seems about right to me.

-S-
http://www.kbnj.com

What about spotters? The meets supply their own, right? One for each
side of the bar?

The meets I've been at have supplied more than enough spotters, but for
bench, a lifter often prefers to supply his own person to take the
center position for hand-off if that's possible.

-S-

Steve Freides said:

<[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Steve Freides said:

<[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...
> On Sat, 26 Mar 2005 13:58:15 -0500, "Steve Freides"
> <[email hidden]> wrote:
>
>>http://www.usapowerlifting.com/newsletter/05/features/features.html
>>
>>Agrees with what I've heard. First attempt should be something
>>you've
>>tripled in the gym, second should be something you're still pretty
>>sure
>>of getting, often a slight PR if training and taper has been going
>>well.
>
> Thanx Steve

No problem. In the two meets I've done, it's the approach I've used
and
I went 8 for 9 both times so it seems about right to me.

-S-
http://www.kbnj.com

What about spotters? The meets supply their own, right? One for each
side of the bar?

The meets I've been at have supplied more than enough spotters, but for
bench, a lifter often prefers to supply his own person to take the
center position for hand-off if that's possible.

-S-

Why is one person in the middle better than one at each end? I was
spotting my friend today and he did worse with me spotting than by
unracking it himself. If I'm not mistaken (but I could be), the meet
requires spotters to unrack the bar and give it to the lifter at
lockout. I know I can't do that by myself standing behind his head
with a 380 lb bar.

[email hidden] wrote:
<snip>

Quoted message said:

If I'm not mistaken (but I could be), the meet
requires spotters to unrack the bar and give it to the lifter at
lockout. I know I can't do that by myself standing behind his head
with a 380 lb bar.

lol no you wouldn't want to try that i don't think...

In article <[email hidden]>,

Quoted message said:

Steve Freides said:

<[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

On Sat, 26 Mar 2005 18:11:34 -0500, "Steve Freides"
<[email hidden]> wrote:

><[email hidden]> wrote in message
>news:[email hidden]...
>> On Sat, 26 Mar 2005 13:58:15 -0500, "Steve Freides"
>> <[email hidden]> wrote:
>>
>>>http://www.usapowerlifting.com/newsletter/05/features/features.html
>>>
>>>Agrees with what I've heard. First attempt should be something
>>>you've
>>>tripled in the gym, second should be something you're still pretty
>>>sure
>>>of getting, often a slight PR if training and taper has been going
>>>well.
>>
>> Thanx Steve
>
>No problem. In the two meets I've done, it's the approach I've used
>and
>I went 8 for 9 both times so it seems about right to me.
>
>-S-
>http://www.kbnj.com

What about spotters? The meets supply their own, right? One for each
side of the bar?

The meets I've been at have supplied more than enough spotters, but for
bench, a lifter often prefers to supply his own person to take the
center position for hand-off if that's possible.

-S-

Why is one person in the middle better than one at each end? I was
spotting my friend today and he did worse with me spotting than by
unracking it himself. If I'm not mistaken (but I could be), the meet
requires spotters to unrack the bar and give it to the lifter at
lockout. I know I can't do that by myself standing behind his head
with a 380 lb bar.

I've done a few world meets and actually been requested to give the hand
off by some lifters attempting records. (At CPU/IPF meets you can't have
your own guy do the hand off.)

I've been told it makes a difference. I've also done hand offs for lifters
doing over 600 lbs. You don't have to take all the weight, obviously.

What I try and do is get the bar to the perfect position for the lifter -
normally out over their chest - and then let the bar go in such a way that
it feels light for the lifter. So I take as much weight off as I can, get
the bar to where the lifter wants it, and then let the remainder of the
weight drop onto the lifter gradually - I don't just 'plonk' the bar onto
them.

It can depend on the lifter, but with a 400 or so bench I felt the hand
off could be worth 10-15 lbs for me.

--
Keith

Quoted message said:

[email hidden] wrote:
<snip>

Quoted message said:

If I'm not mistaken (but I could be), the meet
requires spotters to unrack the bar and give it to the lifter at
lockout. I know I can't do that by myself standing behind his head
with a 380 lb bar.

lol no you wouldn't want to try that i don't think...

No way!

As I said, my training partner was far more successful unracking the
bar himself than having me assist him in unracking it.
He thought it might be helpful to have me assist to get him used to
the feeling of being handed the bar. I'm not sure I agree. I imagine
being handed the bar in a lockout feels very different than being
given a small assist in unracking it. But I don't know anything about
all this. I don't bench and I've never observed a meet.

On Sat, 26 Mar 2005 22:49:12 -0600, [email hidden] (Hobbes)

Quoted message said:

In article <[email hidden]>,

Quoted message said:

Steve Freides said:

<[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...
> On Sat, 26 Mar 2005 18:11:34 -0500, "Steve Freides"
> <[email hidden]> wrote:
>
>><[email hidden]> wrote in message
>>news:[email hidden]...
>>> On Sat, 26 Mar 2005 13:58:15 -0500, "Steve Freides"
>>> <[email hidden]> wrote:
>>>
>>>>http://www.usapowerlifting.com/newsletter/05/features/features.html
>>>>
>>>>Agrees with what I've heard. First attempt should be something
>>>>you've
>>>>tripled in the gym, second should be something you're still pretty
>>>>sure
>>>>of getting, often a slight PR if training and taper has been going
>>>>well.
>>>
>>> Thanx Steve
>>
>>No problem. In the two meets I've done, it's the approach I've used
>>and
>>I went 8 for 9 both times so it seems about right to me.
>>
>>-S-
>>http://www.kbnj.com
>
> What about spotters? The meets supply their own, right? One for each
> side of the bar?

The meets I've been at have supplied more than enough spotters, but for
bench, a lifter often prefers to supply his own person to take the
center position for hand-off if that's possible.

-S-

Why is one person in the middle better than one at each end? I was
spotting my friend today and he did worse with me spotting than by
unracking it himself. If I'm not mistaken (but I could be), the meet
requires spotters to unrack the bar and give it to the lifter at
lockout. I know I can't do that by myself standing behind his head
with a 380 lb bar.

I've done a few world meets and actually been requested to give the hand
off by some lifters attempting records. (At CPU/IPF meets you can't have
your own guy do the hand off.)

I've been told it makes a difference. I've also done hand offs for lifters
doing over 600 lbs. You don't have to take all the weight, obviously.

What I try and do is get the bar to the perfect position for the lifter -
normally out over their chest - and then let the bar go in such a way that
it feels light for the lifter. So I take as much weight off as I can, get
the bar to where the lifter wants it, and then let the remainder of the
weight drop onto the lifter gradually - I don't just 'plonk' the bar onto
them.

It can depend on the lifter, but with a 400 or so bench I felt the hand
off could be worth 10-15 lbs for me.

Interesting Keith. You feel one guy in the middle can be better than
one guy at each end?

What are the critical stats/factors for one guy doing a hand off to
someone benching 380? Should the spotter be able to DL and/or Good
Morning a certain amount? My training partner uses the top pin on the
bench. I'm 5'10" Should I be standing on an elevated platform?
(I was.) If so, how high should the platform be? Exactly how are you
positioned to help get the bar over the lifter's chest and then
gradually release the remainder of the weight onto the lifter?

On Sat, 26 Mar 2005 22:49:12 -0600, [email hidden] (Hobbes) wrote
in misc.fitness.weights:

Quoted message said:

In article <[email hidden]>,

Quoted message said:

Steve Freides said:

<[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...
> On Sat, 26 Mar 2005 18:11:34 -0500, "Steve Freides"
> <[email hidden]> wrote:
>
>><[email hidden]> wrote in message
>>news:[email hidden]...
>>> On Sat, 26 Mar 2005 13:58:15 -0500, "Steve Freides"
>>> <[email hidden]> wrote:
>>>
>>>>http://www.usapowerlifting.com/newsletter/05/features/features.html
>>>>
>>>>Agrees with what I've heard. First attempt should be something
>>>>you've
>>>>tripled in the gym, second should be something you're still pretty
>>>>sure
>>>>of getting, often a slight PR if training and taper has been going
>>>>well.
>>>
>>> Thanx Steve
>>
>>No problem. In the two meets I've done, it's the approach I've used
>>and
>>I went 8 for 9 both times so it seems about right to me.
>>
>>-S-
>>http://www.kbnj.com
>
> What about spotters? The meets supply their own, right? One for each
> side of the bar?

The meets I've been at have supplied more than enough spotters, but for
bench, a lifter often prefers to supply his own person to take the
center position for hand-off if that's possible.

-S-

Why is one person in the middle better than one at each end? I was
spotting my friend today and he did worse with me spotting than by
unracking it himself. If I'm not mistaken (but I could be), the meet
requires spotters to unrack the bar and give it to the lifter at
lockout. I know I can't do that by myself standing behind his head
with a 380 lb bar.

I've done a few world meets and actually been requested to give the hand
off by some lifters attempting records. (At CPU/IPF meets you can't have
your own guy do the hand off.)

At USAPL national meets, they have a hand off guy and you can't use
your own. At least that is what I have observed but I've never seen
anything about it in the rules. The guy who handed off to me at
Masters Nationals last year gave me the best hand offs ever. Any
other USAPL meet, you can have your own guy.

Quoted message said:

I've been told it makes a difference. I've also done hand offs for lifters
doing over 600 lbs. You don't have to take all the weight, obviously.

What I try and do is get the bar to the perfect position for the lifter -
normally out over their chest - and then let the bar go in such a way that
it feels light for the lifter. So I take as much weight off as I can, get
the bar to where the lifter wants it, and then let the remainder of the
weight drop onto the lifter gradually - I don't just 'plonk' the bar onto
them.

It can depend on the lifter, but with a 400 or so bench I felt the hand
off could be worth 10-15 lbs for me.

In article <[email hidden]>,

Quoted message said:

On Sat, 26 Mar 2005 22:49:12 -0600, [email hidden] (Hobbes)

Quoted message said:

In article <[email hidden]>,

Quoted message said:

On Sat, 26 Mar 2005 20:08:48 -0500, "Steve Freides"
<[email hidden]> wrote:

><[email hidden]> wrote in message
>news:[email hidden]...
>> On Sat, 26 Mar 2005 18:11:34 -0500, "Steve Freides"
>> <[email hidden]> wrote:
>>
>>><[email hidden]> wrote in message
>>>news:[email hidden]...
>>>> On Sat, 26 Mar 2005 13:58:15 -0500, "Steve Freides"
>>>> <[email hidden]> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>>http://www.usapowerlifting.com/newsletter/05/features/features.html
>>>>>
>>>>>Agrees with what I've heard. First attempt should be something
>>>>>you've
>>>>>tripled in the gym, second should be something you're still pretty
>>>>>sure
>>>>>of getting, often a slight PR if training and taper has been going
>>>>>well.
>>>>
>>>> Thanx Steve
>>>
>>>No problem. In the two meets I've done, it's the approach I've used
>>>and
>>>I went 8 for 9 both times so it seems about right to me.
>>>
>>>-S-
>>>http://www.kbnj.com
>>
>> What about spotters? The meets supply their own, right? One for each
>> side of the bar?
>
>The meets I've been at have supplied more than enough spotters, but for
>bench, a lifter often prefers to supply his own person to take the
>center position for hand-off if that's possible.
>
>-S-

Why is one person in the middle better than one at each end? I was
spotting my friend today and he did worse with me spotting than by
unracking it himself. If I'm not mistaken (but I could be), the meet
requires spotters to unrack the bar and give it to the lifter at
lockout. I know I can't do that by myself standing behind his head
with a 380 lb bar.

I've done a few world meets and actually been requested to give the hand
off by some lifters attempting records. (At CPU/IPF meets you can't have
your own guy do the hand off.)

I've been told it makes a difference. I've also done hand offs for lifters
doing over 600 lbs. You don't have to take all the weight, obviously.

What I try and do is get the bar to the perfect position for the lifter -
normally out over their chest - and then let the bar go in such a way that
it feels light for the lifter. So I take as much weight off as I can, get
the bar to where the lifter wants it, and then let the remainder of the
weight drop onto the lifter gradually - I don't just 'plonk' the bar onto
them.

It can depend on the lifter, but with a 400 or so bench I felt the hand
off could be worth 10-15 lbs for me.

Interesting Keith. You feel one guy in the middle can be better than
one guy at each end?

What are the critical stats/factors for one guy doing a hand off to
someone benching 380? Should the spotter be able to DL and/or Good
Morning a certain amount? My training partner uses the top pin on the
bench. I'm 5'10" Should I be standing on an elevated platform?
(I was.) If so, how high should the platform be? Exactly how are you
positioned to help get the bar over the lifter's chest and then
gradually release the remainder of the weight onto the lifter?

I think it isn't the amount lifted, but giving it to the person in the
right position and then letting the weight onto the person smoothly. The
two people never give it to you perfectly evenly. I've used two people in
a meet if the guy in the back was crappy because at least then you have a
chance to get the bar over your chest. In a meet you want to set up well
down the bench so you don't worry about bouncing the uprights.

But if you have someone good I think it is more a matter of the person
being smooth and reading your lift. On the first attempt I try and see how
the person lifts and remember so I can get the bar into the right groove
for them. I don't think there is a requirement for being able to do so
much weight, but obviously a strong guy has an easier time getting the bar
there.

--
Keith

In article <[email hidden]>, John Hanson

Quoted message said:

On Sat, 26 Mar 2005 22:49:12 -0600, [email hidden] (Hobbes) wrote
in misc.fitness.weights:

Quoted message said:

In article <[email hidden]>,

Quoted message said:

On Sat, 26 Mar 2005 20:08:48 -0500, "Steve Freides"
<[email hidden]> wrote:

><[email hidden]> wrote in message
>news:[email hidden]...
>> On Sat, 26 Mar 2005 18:11:34 -0500, "Steve Freides"
>> <[email hidden]> wrote:
>>
>>><[email hidden]> wrote in message
>>>news:[email hidden]...
>>>> On Sat, 26 Mar 2005 13:58:15 -0500, "Steve Freides"
>>>> <[email hidden]> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>>http://www.usapowerlifting.com/newsletter/05/features/features.html
>>>>>
>>>>>Agrees with what I've heard. First attempt should be something
>>>>>you've
>>>>>tripled in the gym, second should be something you're still pretty
>>>>>sure
>>>>>of getting, often a slight PR if training and taper has been going
>>>>>well.
>>>>
>>>> Thanx Steve
>>>
>>>No problem. In the two meets I've done, it's the approach I've used
>>>and
>>>I went 8 for 9 both times so it seems about right to me.
>>>
>>>-S-
>>>http://www.kbnj.com
>>
>> What about spotters? The meets supply their own, right? One for each
>> side of the bar?
>
>The meets I've been at have supplied more than enough spotters, but for
>bench, a lifter often prefers to supply his own person to take the
>center position for hand-off if that's possible.
>
>-S-

Why is one person in the middle better than one at each end? I was
spotting my friend today and he did worse with me spotting than by
unracking it himself. If I'm not mistaken (but I could be), the meet
requires spotters to unrack the bar and give it to the lifter at
lockout. I know I can't do that by myself standing behind his head
with a 380 lb bar.

I've done a few world meets and actually been requested to give the hand
off by some lifters attempting records. (At CPU/IPF meets you can't have
your own guy do the hand off.)

At USAPL national meets, they have a hand off guy and you can't use
your own. At least that is what I have observed but I've never seen
anything about it in the rules. The guy who handed off to me at
Masters Nationals last year gave me the best hand offs ever. Any
other USAPL meet, you can have your own guy.

Then you agree a good hand off can make a difference?

--
Keith

On Sat, 26 Mar 2005 23:06:48 -0600, [email hidden] (Hobbes) wrote
in misc.fitness.weights:

Quoted message said:

In article <[email hidden]>, John Hanson

Quoted message said:

On Sat, 26 Mar 2005 22:49:12 -0600, [email hidden] (Hobbes) wrote
in misc.fitness.weights:

Quoted message said:

In article <[email hidden]>,
[email hidden] wrote:

> On Sat, 26 Mar 2005 20:08:48 -0500, "Steve Freides"
> <[email hidden]> wrote:
>
> ><[email hidden]> wrote in message
> >news:[email hidden]...
> >> On Sat, 26 Mar 2005 18:11:34 -0500, "Steve Freides"
> >> <[email hidden]> wrote:
> >>
> >>><[email hidden]> wrote in message
> >>>news:[email hidden]...
> >>>> On Sat, 26 Mar 2005 13:58:15 -0500, "Steve Freides"
> >>>> <[email hidden]> wrote:
> >>>>
> >>>>>http://www.usapowerlifting.com/newsletter/05/features/features.html
> >>>>>
> >>>>>Agrees with what I've heard. First attempt should be something
> >>>>>you've
> >>>>>tripled in the gym, second should be something you're still pretty
> >>>>>sure
> >>>>>of getting, often a slight PR if training and taper has been going
> >>>>>well.
> >>>>
> >>>> Thanx Steve
> >>>
> >>>No problem. In the two meets I've done, it's the approach I've used
> >>>and
> >>>I went 8 for 9 both times so it seems about right to me.
> >>>
> >>>-S-
> >>>http://www.kbnj.com
> >>
> >> What about spotters? The meets supply their own, right? One for each
> >> side of the bar?
> >
> >The meets I've been at have supplied more than enough spotters, but for
> >bench, a lifter often prefers to supply his own person to take the
> >center position for hand-off if that's possible.
> >
> >-S-
>
> Why is one person in the middle better than one at each end? I was
> spotting my friend today and he did worse with me spotting than by
> unracking it himself. If I'm not mistaken (but I could be), the meet
> requires spotters to unrack the bar and give it to the lifter at
> lockout. I know I can't do that by myself standing behind his head
> with a 380 lb bar.

I've done a few world meets and actually been requested to give the hand
off by some lifters attempting records. (At CPU/IPF meets you can't have
your own guy do the hand off.)

At USAPL national meets, they have a hand off guy and you can't use
your own. At least that is what I have observed but I've never seen
anything about it in the rules. The guy who handed off to me at
Masters Nationals last year gave me the best hand offs ever. Any
other USAPL meet, you can have your own guy.

Then you agree a good hand off can make a difference?

All the difference in the world. I've gotten hand offs in the gym
where I thought I was going to drop it on my face because that is
where they let go off the bar. I like it right in line with my
nipples.

On Sat, 26 Mar 2005 23:06:00 -0600, [email hidden] (Hobbes)

Quoted message said:

In article <[email hidden]>,

Quoted message said:

On Sat, 26 Mar 2005 22:49:12 -0600, [email hidden] (Hobbes)

Quoted message said:

In article <[email hidden]>,
[email hidden] wrote:

> On Sat, 26 Mar 2005 20:08:48 -0500, "Steve Freides"
> <[email hidden]> wrote:
>
> ><[email hidden]> wrote in message
> >news:[email hidden]...
> >> On Sat, 26 Mar 2005 18:11:34 -0500, "Steve Freides"
> >> <[email hidden]> wrote:
> >>
> >>><[email hidden]> wrote in message
> >>>news:[email hidden]...
> >>>> On Sat, 26 Mar 2005 13:58:15 -0500, "Steve Freides"
> >>>> <[email hidden]> wrote:
> >>>>
> >>>>>http://www.usapowerlifting.com/newsletter/05/features/features.html
> >>>>>
> >>>>>Agrees with what I've heard. First attempt should be something
> >>>>>you've
> >>>>>tripled in the gym, second should be something you're still pretty
> >>>>>sure
> >>>>>of getting, often a slight PR if training and taper has been going
> >>>>>well.
> >>>>
> >>>> Thanx Steve
> >>>
> >>>No problem. In the two meets I've done, it's the approach I've used
> >>>and
> >>>I went 8 for 9 both times so it seems about right to me.
> >>>
> >>>-S-
> >>>http://www.kbnj.com
> >>
> >> What about spotters? The meets supply their own, right? One for each
> >> side of the bar?
> >
> >The meets I've been at have supplied more than enough spotters, but for
> >bench, a lifter often prefers to supply his own person to take the
> >center position for hand-off if that's possible.
> >
> >-S-
>
> Why is one person in the middle better than one at each end? I was
> spotting my friend today and he did worse with me spotting than by
> unracking it himself. If I'm not mistaken (but I could be), the meet
> requires spotters to unrack the bar and give it to the lifter at
> lockout. I know I can't do that by myself standing behind his head
> with a 380 lb bar.

I've done a few world meets and actually been requested to give the hand
off by some lifters attempting records. (At CPU/IPF meets you can't have
your own guy do the hand off.)

I've been told it makes a difference. I've also done hand offs for lifters
doing over 600 lbs. You don't have to take all the weight, obviously.

What I try and do is get the bar to the perfect position for the lifter -
normally out over their chest - and then let the bar go in such a way that
it feels light for the lifter. So I take as much weight off as I can, get
the bar to where the lifter wants it, and then let the remainder of the
weight drop onto the lifter gradually - I don't just 'plonk' the bar onto
them.

It can depend on the lifter, but with a 400 or so bench I felt the hand
off could be worth 10-15 lbs for me.

Interesting Keith. You feel one guy in the middle can be better than
one guy at each end?

What are the critical stats/factors for one guy doing a hand off to
someone benching 380? Should the spotter be able to DL and/or Good
Morning a certain amount? My training partner uses the top pin on the
bench. I'm 5'10" Should I be standing on an elevated platform?
(I was.) If so, how high should the platform be? Exactly how are you
positioned to help get the bar over the lifter's chest and then
gradually release the remainder of the weight onto the lifter?

I think it isn't the amount lifted, but giving it to the person in the
right position and then letting the weight onto the person smoothly. The
two people never give it to you perfectly evenly. I've used two people in
a meet if the guy in the back was crappy because at least then you have a
chance to get the bar over your chest. In a meet you want to set up well
down the bench so you don't worry about bouncing the uprights.

But if you have someone good I think it is more a matter of the person
being smooth and reading your lift. On the first attempt I try and see how
the person lifts and remember so I can get the bar into the right groove
for them. I don't think there is a requirement for being able to do so
much weight, but obviously a strong guy has an easier time getting the bar
there.

I'd like to see an online tutorial, video, or jpg sequence
illustrating the "spot lift."

What are the biomechanics of this lift? Knees slightly bent, mixed
grip, back slightly forward, gaze always downward, etc.?

How high should the spotter's platform be? How tall should the
spotter be relative to the pin the bar is resting on?

How should the bencher and the spotter be positioned relative to each
other so that the spotter doesn't have to move the bar too far forward
to get it into the right position for the controlled descent?

I'm assuming the bencher is always helping (unracking the bar and
bringing it to the correct position) and that the spotter is not
unracking the bar and bringing it to the correct position and then
gradually lowering it to the bencher's outstretched hands all by
himself.

I ask these questions because I'm the spotter for a guy who wants to
max out at 275-280 at a meet two weeks away. We work together in
unracking the bar and getting it to the correct position for him, but
his performance is a lot worse when I "help" him. (I'm not
overlooking the fact that he started pausing a split-second longer at
bottom when I started helping him unrack and position the bar. (He
never "bounces" it.) The total time under tension is doubtless
longer. My sense is that I'm not giving him all that much help
unracking the bar and that my assistance is negligible as the bar
moves forward (away from me) to get it into the correct pposition for
him.

I don't get the "give it to him smoothly" part although that sounds
great. How do you do this and tell when you have and haven't done
this right?

On Sun, 27 Mar 2005 17:40:33 GMT, [email hidden] wrote in
misc.fitness.weights:

Quoted message said:

On Sat, 26 Mar 2005 23:06:00 -0600, [email hidden] (Hobbes)

Quoted message said:

In article <[email hidden]>,

Quoted message said:

On Sat, 26 Mar 2005 22:49:12 -0600, [email hidden] (Hobbes)
wrote:

>In article <[email hidden]>,
>[email hidden] wrote:
>
>> On Sat, 26 Mar 2005 20:08:48 -0500, "Steve Freides"
>> <[email hidden]> wrote:
>>
>> ><[email hidden]> wrote in message
>> >news:[email hidden]...
>> >> On Sat, 26 Mar 2005 18:11:34 -0500, "Steve Freides"
>> >> <[email hidden]> wrote:
>> >>
>> >>><[email hidden]> wrote in message
>> >>>news:[email hidden]...
>> >>>> On Sat, 26 Mar 2005 13:58:15 -0500, "Steve Freides"
>> >>>> <[email hidden]> wrote:
>> >>>>
>> >>>>>http://www.usapowerlifting.com/newsletter/05/features/features.html
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>>Agrees with what I've heard. First attempt should be something
>> >>>>>you've
>> >>>>>tripled in the gym, second should be something you're still pretty
>> >>>>>sure
>> >>>>>of getting, often a slight PR if training and taper has been going
>> >>>>>well.
>> >>>>
>> >>>> Thanx Steve
>> >>>
>> >>>No problem. In the two meets I've done, it's the approach I've used
>> >>>and
>> >>>I went 8 for 9 both times so it seems about right to me.
>> >>>
>> >>>-S-
>> >>>http://www.kbnj.com
>> >>
>> >> What about spotters? The meets supply their own, right? One for each
>> >> side of the bar?
>> >
>> >The meets I've been at have supplied more than enough spotters, but for
>> >bench, a lifter often prefers to supply his own person to take the
>> >center position for hand-off if that's possible.
>> >
>> >-S-
>>
>> Why is one person in the middle better than one at each end? I was
>> spotting my friend today and he did worse with me spotting than by
>> unracking it himself. If I'm not mistaken (but I could be), the meet
>> requires spotters to unrack the bar and give it to the lifter at
>> lockout. I know I can't do that by myself standing behind his head
>> with a 380 lb bar.
>
>I've done a few world meets and actually been requested to give the hand
>off by some lifters attempting records. (At CPU/IPF meets you can't have
>your own guy do the hand off.)
>
>I've been told it makes a difference. I've also done hand offs for lifters
>doing over 600 lbs. You don't have to take all the weight, obviously.
>
>What I try and do is get the bar to the perfect position for the lifter -
>normally out over their chest - and then let the bar go in such a way that
>it feels light for the lifter. So I take as much weight off as I can, get
>the bar to where the lifter wants it, and then let the remainder of the
>weight drop onto the lifter gradually - I don't just 'plonk' the bar onto
>them.
>
>It can depend on the lifter, but with a 400 or so bench I felt the hand
>off could be worth 10-15 lbs for me.

Interesting Keith. You feel one guy in the middle can be better than
one guy at each end?

What are the critical stats/factors for one guy doing a hand off to
someone benching 380? Should the spotter be able to DL and/or Good
Morning a certain amount? My training partner uses the top pin on the
bench. I'm 5'10" Should I be standing on an elevated platform?
(I was.) If so, how high should the platform be? Exactly how are you
positioned to help get the bar over the lifter's chest and then
gradually release the remainder of the weight onto the lifter?

I think it isn't the amount lifted, but giving it to the person in the
right position and then letting the weight onto the person smoothly. The
two people never give it to you perfectly evenly. I've used two people in
a meet if the guy in the back was crappy because at least then you have a
chance to get the bar over your chest. In a meet you want to set up well
down the bench so you don't worry about bouncing the uprights.

But if you have someone good I think it is more a matter of the person
being smooth and reading your lift. On the first attempt I try and see how
the person lifts and remember so I can get the bar into the right groove
for them. I don't think there is a requirement for being able to do so
much weight, but obviously a strong guy has an easier time getting the bar
there.

I'd like to see an online tutorial, video, or jpg sequence
illustrating the "spot lift."

What are the biomechanics of this lift? Knees slightly bent, mixed
grip, back slightly forward, gaze always downward, etc.?

How high should the spotter's platform be? How tall should the
spotter be relative to the pin the bar is resting on?

How should the bencher and the spotter be positioned relative to each
other so that the spotter doesn't have to move the bar too far forward
to get it into the right position for the controlled descent?

I'm assuming the bencher is always helping (unracking the bar and
bringing it to the correct position) and that the spotter is not
unracking the bar and bringing it to the correct position and then
gradually lowering it to the bencher's outstretched hands all by
himself.

I ask these questions because I'm the spotter for a guy who wants to
max out at 275-280 at a meet two weeks away. We work together in
unracking the bar and getting it to the correct position for him, but
his performance is a lot worse when I "help" him. (I'm not
overlooking the fact that he started pausing a split-second longer at
bottom when I started helping him unrack and position the bar. (He
never "bounces" it.) The total time under tension is doubtless
longer. My sense is that I'm not giving him all that much help
unracking the bar and that my assistance is negligible as the bar
moves forward (away from me) to get it into the correct pposition for
him.

I don't get the "give it to him smoothly" part although that sounds
great. How do you do this and tell when you have and haven't done
this right?

Practice makes perfect. You should also have some idea from when
people give you a "pick".

In article <[email hidden]>,

Quoted message said:

On Sat, 26 Mar 2005 23:06:00 -0600, [email hidden] (Hobbes)

Quoted message said:

In article <[email hidden]>,

Quoted message said:

On Sat, 26 Mar 2005 22:49:12 -0600, [email hidden] (Hobbes)
wrote:

>In article <[email hidden]>,
>[email hidden] wrote:
>
>> On Sat, 26 Mar 2005 20:08:48 -0500, "Steve Freides"
>> <[email hidden]> wrote:
>>
>> ><[email hidden]> wrote in message
>> >news:[email hidden]...
>> >> On Sat, 26 Mar 2005 18:11:34 -0500, "Steve Freides"
>> >> <[email hidden]> wrote:
>> >>
>> >>><[email hidden]> wrote in message
>> >>>news:[email hidden]...
>> >>>> On Sat, 26 Mar 2005 13:58:15 -0500, "Steve Freides"
>> >>>> <[email hidden]> wrote:
>> >>>>
>> >>>>>http://www.usapowerlifting.com/newsletter/05/features/features.html
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>>Agrees with what I've heard. First attempt should be something
>> >>>>>you've
>> >>>>>tripled in the gym, second should be something you're still pretty
>> >>>>>sure
>> >>>>>of getting, often a slight PR if training and taper has been going
>> >>>>>well.
>> >>>>
>> >>>> Thanx Steve
>> >>>
>> >>>No problem. In the two meets I've done, it's the approach I've used
>> >>>and
>> >>>I went 8 for 9 both times so it seems about right to me.
>> >>>
>> >>>-S-
>> >>>http://www.kbnj.com
>> >>
>> >> What about spotters? The meets supply their own, right? One

for each

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

>> >> side of the bar?
>> >
>> >The meets I've been at have supplied more than enough spotters,

but for

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

>> >bench, a lifter often prefers to supply his own person to take the
>> >center position for hand-off if that's possible.
>> >
>> >-S-
>>
>> Why is one person in the middle better than one at each end? I was
>> spotting my friend today and he did worse with me spotting than by
>> unracking it himself. If I'm not mistaken (but I could be), the meet
>> requires spotters to unrack the bar and give it to the lifter at
>> lockout. I know I can't do that by myself standing behind his head
>> with a 380 lb bar.
>
>I've done a few world meets and actually been requested to give the hand
>off by some lifters attempting records. (At CPU/IPF meets you can't have
>your own guy do the hand off.)
>
>I've been told it makes a difference. I've also done hand offs for lifters
>doing over 600 lbs. You don't have to take all the weight, obviously.
>
>What I try and do is get the bar to the perfect position for the lifter -
>normally out over their chest - and then let the bar go in such a way that
>it feels light for the lifter. So I take as much weight off as I can, get
>the bar to where the lifter wants it, and then let the remainder of the
>weight drop onto the lifter gradually - I don't just 'plonk' the bar onto
>them.
>
>It can depend on the lifter, but with a 400 or so bench I felt the hand
>off could be worth 10-15 lbs for me.

Interesting Keith. You feel one guy in the middle can be better than
one guy at each end?

What are the critical stats/factors for one guy doing a hand off to
someone benching 380? Should the spotter be able to DL and/or Good
Morning a certain amount? My training partner uses the top pin on the
bench. I'm 5'10" Should I be standing on an elevated platform?
(I was.) If so, how high should the platform be? Exactly how are you
positioned to help get the bar over the lifter's chest and then
gradually release the remainder of the weight onto the lifter?

I think it isn't the amount lifted, but giving it to the person in the
right position and then letting the weight onto the person smoothly. The
two people never give it to you perfectly evenly. I've used two people in
a meet if the guy in the back was crappy because at least then you have a
chance to get the bar over your chest. In a meet you want to set up well
down the bench so you don't worry about bouncing the uprights.

But if you have someone good I think it is more a matter of the person
being smooth and reading your lift. On the first attempt I try and see how
the person lifts and remember so I can get the bar into the right groove
for them. I don't think there is a requirement for being able to do so
much weight, but obviously a strong guy has an easier time getting the bar
there.

I'd like to see an online tutorial, video, or jpg sequence
illustrating the "spot lift."

Go to the IPF site and watch the video of the bench lifts.

Quoted message said:

What are the biomechanics of this lift? Knees slightly bent, mixed
grip, back slightly forward, gaze always downward, etc.?

Depends on the person, bench, weight, etc.

Quoted message said:

How high should the spotter's platform be? How tall should the
spotter be relative to the pin the bar is resting on?

C'mon. Get real.

Quoted message said:

How should the bencher and the spotter be positioned relative to each
other so that the spotter doesn't have to move the bar too far forward
to get it into the right position for the controlled descent?

Spotter lifts the bar over the bencher.

Quoted message said:

I'm assuming the bencher is always helping (unracking the bar and
bringing it to the correct position) and that the spotter is not
unracking the bar and bringing it to the correct position and then
gradually lowering it to the bencher's outstretched hands all by
himself.

Mostly. I've seen some guys who leave a lot to the spotter. But if you
want the bar in position you gotta help.

Quoted message said:

I ask these questions because I'm the spotter for a guy who wants to
max out at 275-280 at a meet two weeks away. We work together in
unracking the bar and getting it to the correct position for him, but
his performance is a lot worse when I "help" him. (I'm not
overlooking the fact that he started pausing a split-second longer at
bottom when I started helping him unrack and position the bar. (He
never "bounces" it.) The total time under tension is doubtless
longer. My sense is that I'm not giving him all that much help
unracking the bar and that my assistance is negligible as the bar
moves forward (away from me) to get it into the correct pposition for
him.

I don't get the "give it to him smoothly" part although that sounds
great. How do you do this and tell when you have and haven't done
this right?

You think of him taking a bar that is 40 lbs or so lighter and then
release the 40 lbs slowly.

--
Keith

On Sun, 27 Mar 2005 13:37:38 -0600, [email hidden] (Hobbes)

Quoted message said:

In article <[email hidden]>,

Quoted message said:

On Sat, 26 Mar 2005 23:06:00 -0600, [email hidden] (Hobbes)

Quoted message said:

In article <[email hidden]>,
[email hidden] wrote:

> On Sat, 26 Mar 2005 22:49:12 -0600, [email hidden] (Hobbes)
> wrote:
>
> >In article <[email hidden]>,
> >[email hidden] wrote:
> >
> >> On Sat, 26 Mar 2005 20:08:48 -0500, "Steve Freides"
> >> <[email hidden]> wrote:
> >>
> >> ><[email hidden]> wrote in message
> >> >news:[email hidden]...
> >> >> On Sat, 26 Mar 2005 18:11:34 -0500, "Steve Freides"
> >> >> <[email hidden]> wrote:
> >> >>
> >> >>><[email hidden]> wrote in message
> >> >>>news:[email hidden]...
> >> >>>> On Sat, 26 Mar 2005 13:58:15 -0500, "Steve Freides"
> >> >>>> <[email hidden]> wrote:
> >> >>>>
> >> >>>>>http://www.usapowerlifting.com/newsletter/05/features/features.html
> >> >>>>>
> >> >>>>>Agrees with what I've heard. First attempt should be something
> >> >>>>>you've
> >> >>>>>tripled in the gym, second should be something you're still pretty
> >> >>>>>sure
> >> >>>>>of getting, often a slight PR if training and taper has been going
> >> >>>>>well.
> >> >>>>
> >> >>>> Thanx Steve
> >> >>>
> >> >>>No problem. In the two meets I've done, it's the approach I've used
> >> >>>and
> >> >>>I went 8 for 9 both times so it seems about right to me.
> >> >>>
> >> >>>-S-
> >> >>>http://www.kbnj.com
> >> >>
> >> >> What about spotters? The meets supply their own, right? One

for each

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> >> >> side of the bar?
> >> >
> >> >The meets I've been at have supplied more than enough spotters,

but for

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> >> >bench, a lifter often prefers to supply his own person to take the
> >> >center position for hand-off if that's possible.
> >> >
> >> >-S-
> >>
> >> Why is one person in the middle better than one at each end? I was
> >> spotting my friend today and he did worse with me spotting than by
> >> unracking it himself. If I'm not mistaken (but I could be), the meet
> >> requires spotters to unrack the bar and give it to the lifter at
> >> lockout. I know I can't do that by myself standing behind his head
> >> with a 380 lb bar.
> >
> >I've done a few world meets and actually been requested to give the hand
> >off by some lifters attempting records. (At CPU/IPF meets you can't have
> >your own guy do the hand off.)
> >
> >I've been told it makes a difference. I've also done hand offs for lifters
> >doing over 600 lbs. You don't have to take all the weight, obviously.
> >
> >What I try and do is get the bar to the perfect position for the lifter -
> >normally out over their chest - and then let the bar go in such a way that
> >it feels light for the lifter. So I take as much weight off as I can, get
> >the bar to where the lifter wants it, and then let the remainder of the
> >weight drop onto the lifter gradually - I don't just 'plonk' the bar onto
> >them.
> >
> >It can depend on the lifter, but with a 400 or so bench I felt the hand
> >off could be worth 10-15 lbs for me.
>
> Interesting Keith. You feel one guy in the middle can be better than
> one guy at each end?
>
> What are the critical stats/factors for one guy doing a hand off to
> someone benching 380? Should the spotter be able to DL and/or Good
> Morning a certain amount? My training partner uses the top pin on the
> bench. I'm 5'10" Should I be standing on an elevated platform?
> (I was.) If so, how high should the platform be? Exactly how are you
> positioned to help get the bar over the lifter's chest and then
> gradually release the remainder of the weight onto the lifter?

I think it isn't the amount lifted, but giving it to the person in the
right position and then letting the weight onto the person smoothly. The
two people never give it to you perfectly evenly. I've used two people in
a meet if the guy in the back was crappy because at least then you have a
chance to get the bar over your chest. In a meet you want to set up well
down the bench so you don't worry about bouncing the uprights.

But if you have someone good I think it is more a matter of the person
being smooth and reading your lift. On the first attempt I try and see how
the person lifts and remember so I can get the bar into the right groove
for them. I don't think there is a requirement for being able to do so
much weight, but obviously a strong guy has an easier time getting the bar
there.

I'd like to see an online tutorial, video, or jpg sequence
illustrating the "spot lift."

Go to the IPF site and watch the video of the bench lifts.

Very blurry with my dial-up connection. Couldn't tell what kind of
grip the spotters were using. I suspect pronated. I don't think the
end spotters were helping to unrack/maneuver bar into position, but I
really couldn't tell.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

What are the biomechanics of this lift? Knees slightly bent, mixed
grip, back slightly forward, gaze always downward, etc.?

Depends on the person, bench, weight, etc.

Quoted message said:

How high should the spotter's platform be? How tall should the
spotter be relative to the pin the bar is resting on?

C'mon. Get real.

Is that really such a silly question? Looks like the IPF spotters in
the video aren't short and they are standing on a platform. You don't
have a general impression as to whether bench spotters are relatively
tall or not? There's no platform connected to the particular bench
station where I usually help my friend lift. So I improvise by using
a short wooden platform and a 45 lb plate. When I spot, I always wish
I were taller. I'm 5'10" I'm pretty sure my arms are bent more than
the spotters in the video. So I'd like to know the height of the IPF
spotter platform.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

How should the bencher and the spotter be positioned relative to each
other so that the spotter doesn't have to move the bar too far forward
to get it into the right position for the controlled descent?

Spotter lifts the bar over the bencher.

I don't think the IPF spotters are leaning more than slightly forward.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I'm assuming the bencher is always helping (unracking the bar and
bringing it to the correct position) and that the spotter is not
unracking the bar and bringing it to the correct position and then
gradually lowering it to the bencher's outstretched hands all by
himself.

Mostly. I've seen some guys who leave a lot to the spotter. But if you
want the bar in position you gotta help.

Quoted message said:

I ask these questions because I'm the spotter for a guy who wants to
max out at 275-280 at a meet two weeks away. We work together in
unracking the bar and getting it to the correct position for him, but
his performance is a lot worse when I "help" him. (I'm not
overlooking the fact that he started pausing a split-second longer at
bottom when I started helping him unrack and position the bar. (He
never "bounces" it.) The total time under tension is doubtless
longer. My sense is that I'm not giving him all that much help
unracking the bar and that my assistance is negligible as the bar
moves forward (away from me) to get it into the correct pposition for
him.

I don't get the "give it to him smoothly" part although that sounds
great. How do you do this and tell when you have and haven't done
this right?

You think of him taking a bar that is 40 lbs or so lighter and then
release the 40 lbs slowly.

John Hanson said:

On Sun, 27 Mar 2005 17:40:33 GMT, [email hidden] wrote in
misc.fitness.weights:

Quoted message said:

On Sat, 26 Mar 2005 23:06:00 -0600, [email hidden] (Hobbes)

Quoted message said:

In article <[email hidden]>,
[email hidden] wrote:

> On Sat, 26 Mar 2005 22:49:12 -0600, [email hidden] (Hobbes)
> wrote:
>
> >In article <[email hidden]>,
> >[email hidden] wrote:
> >
> >> On Sat, 26 Mar 2005 20:08:48 -0500, "Steve Freides"
> >> <[email hidden]> wrote:
> >>
> >> ><[email hidden]> wrote in message
> >> >news:[email hidden]...
> >> >> On Sat, 26 Mar 2005 18:11:34 -0500, "Steve Freides"
> >> >> <[email hidden]> wrote:
> >> >>
> >> >>><[email hidden]> wrote in message
> >> >>>news:[email hidden]...
> >> >>>> On Sat, 26 Mar 2005 13:58:15 -0500, "Steve Freides"
> >> >>>> <[email hidden]> wrote:
> >> >>>>
> >> >>>>>http://www.usapowerlifting.com/newsletter/05/features/features.html
> >> >>>>>
> >> >>>>>Agrees with what I've heard. First attempt should be something
> >> >>>>>you've
> >> >>>>>tripled in the gym, second should be something you're still pretty
> >> >>>>>sure
> >> >>>>>of getting, often a slight PR if training and taper has been going
> >> >>>>>well.
> >> >>>>
> >> >>>> Thanx Steve
> >> >>>
> >> >>>No problem. In the two meets I've done, it's the approach I've used
> >> >>>and
> >> >>>I went 8 for 9 both times so it seems about right to me.
> >> >>>
> >> >>>-S-
> >> >>>http://www.kbnj.com
> >> >>
> >> >> What about spotters? The meets supply their own, right? One for each
> >> >> side of the bar?
> >> >
> >> >The meets I've been at have supplied more than enough spotters, but for
> >> >bench, a lifter often prefers to supply his own person to take the
> >> >center position for hand-off if that's possible.
> >> >
> >> >-S-
> >>
> >> Why is one person in the middle better than one at each end? I was
> >> spotting my friend today and he did worse with me spotting than by
> >> unracking it himself. If I'm not mistaken (but I could be), the meet
> >> requires spotters to unrack the bar and give it to the lifter at
> >> lockout. I know I can't do that by myself standing behind his head
> >> with a 380 lb bar.
> >
> >I've done a few world meets and actually been requested to give the hand
> >off by some lifters attempting records. (At CPU/IPF meets you can't have
> >your own guy do the hand off.)
> >
> >I've been told it makes a difference. I've also done hand offs for lifters
> >doing over 600 lbs. You don't have to take all the weight, obviously.
> >
> >What I try and do is get the bar to the perfect position for the lifter -
> >normally out over their chest - and then let the bar go in such a way that
> >it feels light for the lifter. So I take as much weight off as I can, get
> >the bar to where the lifter wants it, and then let the remainder of the
> >weight drop onto the lifter gradually - I don't just 'plonk' the bar onto
> >them.
> >
> >It can depend on the lifter, but with a 400 or so bench I felt the hand
> >off could be worth 10-15 lbs for me.
>
> Interesting Keith. You feel one guy in the middle can be better than
> one guy at each end?
>
> What are the critical stats/factors for one guy doing a hand off to
> someone benching 380? Should the spotter be able to DL and/or Good
> Morning a certain amount? My training partner uses the top pin on the
> bench. I'm 5'10" Should I be standing on an elevated platform?
> (I was.) If so, how high should the platform be? Exactly how are you
> positioned to help get the bar over the lifter's chest and then
> gradually release the remainder of the weight onto the lifter?

I think it isn't the amount lifted, but giving it to the person in the
right position and then letting the weight onto the person smoothly. The
two people never give it to you perfectly evenly. I've used two people in
a meet if the guy in the back was crappy because at least then you have a
chance to get the bar over your chest. In a meet you want to set up well
down the bench so you don't worry about bouncing the uprights.

But if you have someone good I think it is more a matter of the person
being smooth and reading your lift. On the first attempt I try and see how
the person lifts and remember so I can get the bar into the right groove
for them. I don't think there is a requirement for being able to do so
much weight, but obviously a strong guy has an easier time getting the bar
there.

I'd like to see an online tutorial, video, or jpg sequence
illustrating the "spot lift."

What are the biomechanics of this lift? Knees slightly bent, mixed
grip, back slightly forward, gaze always downward, etc.?

How high should the spotter's platform be? How tall should the
spotter be relative to the pin the bar is resting on?

How should the bencher and the spotter be positioned relative to each
other so that the spotter doesn't have to move the bar too far forward
to get it into the right position for the controlled descent?

I'm assuming the bencher is always helping (unracking the bar and
bringing it to the correct position) and that the spotter is not
unracking the bar and bringing it to the correct position and then
gradually lowering it to the bencher's outstretched hands all by
himself.

I ask these questions because I'm the spotter for a guy who wants to
max out at 275-280 at a meet two weeks away. We work together in
unracking the bar and getting it to the correct position for him, but
his performance is a lot worse when I "help" him. (I'm not
overlooking the fact that he started pausing a split-second longer at
bottom when I started helping him unrack and position the bar. (He
never "bounces" it.) The total time under tension is doubtless
longer. My sense is that I'm not giving him all that much help
unracking the bar and that my assistance is negligible as the bar
moves forward (away from me) to get it into the correct pposition for
him.

I don't get the "give it to him smoothly" part although that sounds
great. How do you do this and tell when you have and haven't done
this right?

Practice makes perfect. You should also have some idea from when
people give you a "pick".

Please explain.