Usapl

[Arioch]

I know you are kidding Arioch, or is your elitist Olympic lifting roots coming out to rear its ugly head?

Well, kinda-sorta both.

However, after years of seeing complete horseshit squats given away (like Goggins 1032 at the APF seniors a while back - yes, I was there, and some of the shorter lifters could have walked under his ass at the bottom of the squat) I actually think it should really be cracked down on. Now this is not to say that everyone should squat ATF, but below parallel is below parallel, and there should be no question.

And you should hear some of the excuses people give you when you are judging:
My legs are too big to get that low. (evidently they have never seen SHW OL'ers squat and clean, Mark Henry was 385 and his ass hit his ankles).
My squats are good in XYZ federation (then go lift there and come back after you figure out where parallel is).
My friend said it was good (then why is he not out here judging?)

also I cannot handle their drug testing policy

Well, I cannot lift there either. Are they doing something different that I am currently unaware of? (Have not exactly been reading my newsletters - way behind on a lot of stuff).

and they don't let you use double ply equipment,

Well, they are the IPF affiliate, and they must conform.

Please tell us you were kidding Arioch, so we can go back to loving you.

Better to be feared.

If you must know, there is one thing that really pisses me off about the USAPL, and that is the sactimonious, holier-than thou attitudes a lot of their administration have. And this is coming from somone who has served in quite a few capacities, including committee member. The judges, admins, and everybody else are there for the lifter, not the other way around. This seems to be forgotten, and I absolutely cannot stand it.

 

[Deciever]

Am I the only one who likes how they judge squat depth?

its strict but fair. It got me a state record, i love it

 

[benchmonster]

Well, I cannot squat that deep. I have a laundry list of reason's why. At the top of the list is that when I get that low, I never seem to come back up. I have always admired those that can go deep with the big weights . . . and come back up, but 1/4 inch below parallel is just as "below parallel" as 4 inches below parallel.

Did not see Goggins's 1032, so I cannot comment on his depth there, but I have seen some questionable squats given white lights in non IPF/USAPL orgs. I just like the attitude of an organization to be that we are here to help the lifter, and, I don't think it is so wrong to look for a way to give the guy the benefit of the doubt, rather than look for any chance to take away a lift.

As soon as the bar comes to a rest, give the "press command", as soon as he is locked out on the deadlift, give the down, and if you are not sure if he was low enough, or not, then give the lifter the benefit of the doubt. "Tie goes to the runner"

B.

 

[Jagermeister]

The meets I have been to, they did give a couple of bad calls, but I promise you that NO high squats were passed.

I agree with you about the comands, and if there is a doubt they should give it to the lifter.

Jager

 

[beercan89]

I didn't get called on depth...my only beef was the assface gave me the command to squat....then after he red lighted me explained my knees weren't locked in the beginning.

Then why did you tell me to squat if they weren't locked?

ps deceiver...it's me

 

[Arioch]

Then why did you tell me to squat if they weren't locked

Because the head referee was a dumbass. Unfortunately this does happen.

 

[argent]

Am I the only one who likes how they judge squat depth?

I like how they judge squat depth personally (unless I get double-reds LOL).

 

[IrishPower]

I've been to APF, WPC, WABDL, and USPF (now usapl) meets.

I can tell you it used to be more of a matter of who's putting on the meet then the rules of the organization per-se.

Unfortunately, the USPF started sending representatives to the state meets and pressuring the meet directors to strictly conform to their bullshit rules which started ruining it.

I mean, if the only meet in town is a USPF meet and you get there and the director tells you that you can no longer wear a denim, can't use an extra long squat bar, and says you are going to have to put your squats 3" below parallel, it's not a whole lot of fun. Especially, when previous conversations with him led you to believe the contrary. Meets are supposed to be fun. Oh, and by the way, take a random drug test for us because you're really big.

IMO, if you really want conformance to strict rules, save these for your Nationals. I know what I am getting into going to a USPF Nationals, and I personally wouldn't go, but there are people who live and die by that, so good for them. Let them go there.

Since there is no money in the sport, and people do it strictly for the love of it, let's not ruin things with anal judging, bullshit rules, and politics.

I have been impressed over and over again with the APF because all of the lifters seem to have fun. There were a few years where everything was getting passed, but you know what??? Who gives a shit?? If you see that high squats are getting passed, squat high at that meet. Don't bellyache about it. Again, Nationals should be a little stricter but still not to the point of stressing the lifter out.

After going to my first 3 lift meet in five years, I now see why I love the sport so much. A few lifts got passed which shouldn't have (probably my 771 ), but everyone was intensely enjoying themselves, there were no injuries (thanks to the new gear), and it was just awesome to hang out with quality lifters. Also, the meet director and the judges were fair and fun to hang out with. They were all lifters themselves (which makes a huge difference). Who the fuck wants to be judged by some 165lb weakling when you are a heavier lifter.

Just me rambling. Let's not start a flame war. They already got one going on goheavy.com Funny how all the squeaky wheels on that board are USAPL lifters. The most helpful people on that board are all APF. Coincidence?

/irish