APF Seniors makes SQ legit again

[barbndr]

Hopefully this doesn't piss off any of the competitors but I must give my opinion on the APF Seniors Squat judging (Sunday PM flights). Let me start of by saying that I was a national ref for the ADFPA/USAPL. I've judged and performed many squats in my time.

The judging at the Seniors was excellent from a depth standpoint. The head judge left a little to be desired, but the side judges got it right on depth. My opinion is based on the Squat on Sunday PM flights. Now I know a few of you here competed and may have a difference of opinion, but I stress to you that by the rules of the APF the judging was right on. I sat from a good vantage point on the side and had as good a look at depth as anyone there.

Speaking to some of the competitors, I was told that they weren't judging fairly because at most of the local and state meets, the judging criteria is more lax and they let pass high squats. Not sure how to comment on this but given the fact that this is a national meet...and after the first 14 out of 17 (not sure exactly) got red lights on depth, it would be my coach's job to tell me "We may want to think about dropping an extra 2, 3 and in some cases 6 inches".

One issue I think has been the problem is that the people we train with, myself included in the past, tend not to want to tell out training partners that their depth is off...or in some cases don't have a good idea of what a legal squat is. Case in point: during at least 3 separate lifts, as the lifter was squatting down, his coach was yelling "down...down...down..etc..." and then "UP!". The problem was, the up came when the lifter was 2 inches above parallel. Red lights abound.

I had a problem a few years back with depth and it was resolved after watching some videotape and training fairly heavy without equipment just to get a feel for depth. And, once the suit went back on, videotaping each lift and making sure I was legit. At the time my training partner was saying my depth was fine...when in reality I was above parallel but I couldn't feel it with the suit on. The tape helped both me and my training partner because we realized why I was getting red lights and that he didn't know jack about depth.

I didn't get to see the squats in the morning or on Saturday, but on Sunday they judged it well. Feel free to barrage me with death threats and complaints

[RJstrong]

I have to agree here... I watched all 3 days and felt like the judging was right where it needed to be for this type of event. I was happy to see judging didn't get laxed as the meet went on. My 3rd squat of the day was close, probably right at parallel, however close wasn't going to the lifter at Seniors. Even in the rules meeting they were very adamant about breaking parallel.

[barbndr]

I was hoping you made your lifts RJ. THinking about that when I posted this. I didn't see day 1 and 2 but I heard the same. I'm glad the judges enforced the rules...I've seen too many 3/4 squats get 3 whites.

Did you meet your goals, RJ?

[RJstrong]

I was hoping you made your lifts RJ. THinking about that when I posted this. I didn't see day 1 and 2 but I heard the same. I'm glad the judges enforced the rules...I've seen too many 3/4 squats get 3 whites.

Did you meet your goals, RJ?

I came close... but the time I had hangin' with everyone afterwards made up for it... it really was a fun meet! My #1 goal was to break 2200 and I ended up at 2171. I needed one more white light on my 3rd attempt squat ( i think the head judge gave me a white) but I did PR in the bench 622 and the deadlift 744... I'm most proud of the deadlift don't ask me where that came from but it was a pleasant surprise as it was a misload... I asked for 733. All in all it was a good meet for me since bombing last year (my 1st time at Seniors) it felt good to get thru it with some PR's.

[barbndr]

On saturday I was helping my friend...he was in the Bench only, but Sat and Sun night were good times. Good job on the PR. Sometimes not knowing what's on the bar is beneficial...as long as its even on both sides.

I came close... but the time I had hangin' with everyone afterwards made up for it... it really was a fun meet! My #1 goal was to break 2200 and I ended up at 2171. I needed one more white light on my 3rd attempt squat ( i think the head judge gave me a white) but I did PR in the bench 622 and the deadlift 744... I'm most proud of the deadlift don't ask me where that came from but it was a pleasant surprise as it was a misload... I asked for 733. All in all it was a good meet for me since bombing last year (my 1st time at Seniors) it felt good to get thru it with some PR's.

[Doc.Sust]

congrats to both of you, i saw the results and you both did great, keep up the good work