What happens if a lifter bounces the bar off the chest in bench press?

• A. It is deemed a fault and can be ruled a no lift
• B. It is allowed if not too hard
• C. It adds to the lift's score
• D. It results in a warning only

Answer: (A)

In bench press, the bar must touch the chest and be held motionless there for a pause before pressing again. Bouncing the bar off the chest means there’s no valid pause and momentum is used from the chest, which violates the rule. Because the lift didn’t meet the paused-touch requirement, referees deem it a fault and rule it a no lift. The lift does not count toward the score, regardless of how hard the bounce may seem. There’s no allowance for counting it as a good lift or only a warning.