NFL Combine...why bench press?

[Per Se]

If you look like you work out, of course everyone asks u how much u can bench.
At the combine...why do they bench, as opposed to testing athletes in every other lift?
Would the deadlift, squat, or even clean and presses denote a better showing of power/strength?

...does anyone know why the bench press was chosen?

[body88]

Because it's a standard metric off overall upper body strength that is easy to execute and simple to quantify.  Also, pushing is used by every player on the field.  Wr's to get out of a jam, linemen "push and "punch" at one another to gain an advantage on positioning, rb's pushing off tackles, lb's shedding blocks by pushing off linemen - etc.

Lastly, the bench presses standardized 225 lb's is much easier to run with multiple athletes.   Squat endurance and deadlift strength varies to a much greater degree....and leg strength is not uber important for certain players on the field (wr's, cb's).

[BB]

Have never seen the NFL answer, but having seen various coaches answer this honestly, it's because:

A) Quick set up. It's long and hard to safely test everyone for maxiamal strength on various lifts. With the bench, you just set a bench up, grab a spotter and have at it.

B) A lot of older coaches, etc.... still believe in conversion charts. Basically they get the combine number A x B= estimated 1rm. On paper, it looks like you've got a big strong player. In real life, sometimes yes, sometimes no.

C) It looks good for the cameras.

A lot of strength coaches secretly opine that the C/P, C/J or even the incline press would be a better judge of strength because the patterns of motion more closely mimic what happens during plays(eg - tackles and such).

[Mr Nobody]

Its all about money and drugs

[Per Se]

BB and body88, thanks for the insight.

[tbombz]

bench press strength, push strength, is very important in football. especially lineman.

[pluck]

^^
Master of the obvious.

[Special Ed]

Because it's a standard metric off overall upper body strength that is easy to execute and simple to quantify.  Also, pushing is used by every player on the field.  Wr's to get out of a jam, linemen "push and "punch" at one another to gain an advantage on positioning, rb's pushing off tackles, lb's shedding blocks by pushing off linemen - etc.

Lastly, the bench presses standardized 225 lb's is much easier to run with multiple athletes.   Squat endurance and deadlift strength varies to a much greater degree....and leg strength is not uber important for certain players on the field (wr's, cb's).

excellent answer.

[oldtimer1]

How is push strength measured with a bench press in football?  Is your back braced against something when you are pushing in football.  It was chosen by NFL scouts that know nothing about weightlifting.  They picked the number one most popular lift for it's entertainment value.  To much emphasis has been placed on this lift for general gym rats and football players.  Curling and benching will not make you a better athlete.

A big bench never corrolates to vertical leap or sprinting speed.  You show me a guy with a good power clean and I'll show you a fast sprinter. 

Full squats, deadlifts,clean & press, and olympic lift variations will make a better football body than a lift that you lie on a bench and push away.  Football is played on your feet.  Use the bench in you overall routine but never center your workout around it.

[jtsunami]

not sure, cause a lot of people who don't workout always wonder what someones bench press is?  A guy with a big bench doesn't necessarily mean he will be strong on the football field.

[heretostay13]

Because it's a standard metric off overall upper body strength that is easy to execute and simple to quantify.  Also, pushing is used by every player on the field.  Wr's to get out of a jam, linemen "push and "punch" at one another to gain an advantage on positioning, rb's pushing off tackles, lb's shedding blocks by pushing off linemen - etc.

Lastly, the bench presses standardized 225 lb's is much easier to run with multiple athletes.   Squat endurance and deadlift strength varies to a much greater degree....and leg strength is not uber important for certain players on the field (wr's, cb's).

Bingo.

[funk51]

If you look like you work out, of course everyone asks u how much u can bench.
At the combine...why do they bench, as opposed to testing athletes in every other lift?
Would the deadlift, squat, or even clean and presses denote a better showing of power/strength?

...does anyone know why the bench press was chosen?

       because it makes bob hoffman mad, ever since powerlifting got more important than olympic lifting bob's been angry. and now he's going to hold his breath till they change it to the clean and jerk.....