05.06.05
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CONGRATULATIONS!
I would like to congratulate all of
our clients who participated in the Elite College
Football Combine on May 4th. The Elite Combine is,
without question, the most prestigious college football
Combine in the country. It was an incredible event
and we were honored to be a part of it. We were also
extremely excited for two of our athletes in particular.
Our Combine preparation definitely paid off for
Don Bosco Prep’s Ryan Lindsey &
Ramapo’s Chris Hogan.
RYAN LINDSEY (left) ran the fastest 40-yard dash of
the entire Combine. He wowed the scouts with a blistering
4.29!!!
CHRIS HOGAN (right) had the fastest pro-agility shuttle
run at the entire Combine. He shocked all of the other
receivers with an incredible 4.09! He also impressed
the scouts during the one-on-one drills.
JOE DOTTINO (right) also had a great Combine. He ran
a personal best 4.49 40-yard dash.
Simply put, THE
BOYS CAME TO PLAY!!!
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Q: Mr. DeFranco, My question
is regarding the bench press when you teach your athletes
proper technique. I am a longer limbed lifter who
seems to have a hard time finding correct bar placement
(groove) and elbow tuck. How do you teach your taller,
longer limbed athletes to find correct positioning?
I have checked Elitefts many times but I just wanted
to get your opinion on the matter. Any help you can
give would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you so much for your time.
Tyler
A: Tyler, I teach all
of my athletes to bench press the same way, regardless
of their limb length. Longer-limbed athletes must
really focus on perfecting technique because they
are usually more susceptible to shoulder injuries
due to their increased range of motion. Optimally,
you want to lower the bar in a straight line just
below the nipples. Your forearms should be perpendicular
to the floor and your upper arms should be at about
a 45-degree angle in relation to your torso in the
bottom position. You then want to press the bar up
in a straight line. This technique will save some
wear and tear on your shoulders.
Longer-limbed athletes who bench with
their elbows flared out and land the bar on their
upper chest because they want to “feel it in
their pecs” are asking for trouble. Nobody gives
a shit what your pecs look like when you’re
laying in a hospital bed after shoulder surgery!
Besides practicing proper technique,
get your triceps, lats and forearms strong as hell!
This will help tremendously with your technique, as
well as your strength.
Bench Big!
Joe D.
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