Leg Drive in Bench Press

[Sean Plant]

Hello,

I failed the 5th rep on the last set of bench today and felt like I could have got it had I used more leg drive. I've been using the foot placement as described in Starting Strength Basic Barbell Training 3rd Ed. and wondered if it'd be advisable to bring my feet back a bit so I can emphasize more leg drive.

(I'm into the 10th week of the novice program and am now benching in the mid 90's/low 200's.)

[Mark Rippetoe]

It's okay if you experiment with your foot position. These are the kind of posts that cause criticism to be directed at us.

[Sean Plant]

Thanks.
I understood that the foot position you describe in the books is intended to be a recommendation for people learning the exercise. I just wasn't sure if I was at a stage in training where altering my foot position would be advisable, that's all.

I didn't intend this post to open up criticism.

[Mark Rippetoe]

Do you understand my comment?

[Sean Plant]

I thought so, but maybe I didn't.