Vincent calls me the “Rhode Master 5000.” When I first started lifting-off for Vincent, I was scared to death to screw it up. So, fear was definitely a motivating factor. The other thing is pride. That may sound stupid, but I take pride in being good at things. I wanted to be a part of some big lifts, so I take pride in giving good hand-offs. And, I want the same for me. So, if I take my time and get it right, they’ll do the same for me. Both Vincent and TT have handed off to me for my biggest benches.
The secrets to a good hand-off are:
1. Be strong.
2. Communicate on all warm-up sets, so that you get a feel for how that day is going to be.
3. Find out exactly what your lifter wants.
4. Pay attention. Don’t just pick it up and drop it in his hands. You should know where he grips the bar, his set-up, his breathing pattern, his count he uses before you lift off. You need to know how far out he likes the bar over his chest.
5. The last thing is knowing how to set the bar in his hands, rather than dropping it. Ease it out and into his hands so the transition from you to him is seamless. There’s nothing better than getting a bar and never feeling it “hit” you.
What I’ve seen is that people don’t talk to each other. If you’re training together, you spend so much time talking about useless shit, but why don’t you know what your partners want in a lift-off? We run into it with our group. It blows my mind that a training partner doesn’t know how you like a hand-off. That shows me that you’re not paying attention.
Also, I fully believe that handing off to Vincent and TT with 700-800 pounds or more, routinely helped my deadlift lockout.
View Matt’s Training Log here
PDF 
Matt is a tremendous resource for our readers by bringing that hard-to-find mix of both real world coaching and athletic experience. Not only did Matt play football at the University of Arizona (1996–1998), but he also worked as a strength coach at the University of Richmond and was an intern at the University of Pittsburgh for the accomplished Buddy Morris. Matt now lives in Greenwich, Connecticut and works as a personal trainer. While he entered the sport of powerlifting in 2001 at 220 lbs (6’ 4”), he now tips the scale at over 300 solid lbs and has squatted 880, benched 550, and deadlifted 750—earning the Best Lifter designation in the 308-lb weight class at the APF Imperium in May 2006. Although the path has not been particularly easy for Matt because of Marfans syndrome, his resolve is strong and he has the will to be a winning athlete.
View Matt’s Training Log 
Great points! I find this is not dicussed often enough and can make a big difference in your lifts. Also wipe the damn sweat off your forehead before you hand off so that shit doesn’t get in my eyes or mouth. Then tell me your sorry after you hand it off like at that point I care.
So true Jeremy. I almost did that a couple of times.
I always try to communicate with the person before I hand it off to them. Specifically the number they’re going for.
No sweat drips and Noooo teabagging…Please!
I told you training partner “if it gets in your eyes you get and extra 3% test boost, if it gets in your mouth it’s worth 5%”
50% of the lift is 90% liftoff. That’s an inside joke by the way. Seriously, Matt gives amazing hand. Taking pride in it is important. Like Rhodes said, you need to be in tune with your lifter. You are not just dropping the bar in someone’s hands.
Wear underwear!
It is appalling how bad most people are at handoffs. Some are so bad they can easily get you injured. Now I am not strong at all, but if these guys are so bad that I don’t even trust them handing out my puny benches, then there is a problem. I don’t even use a handoff anymore except from one or two guys I know are reliable (when they are there)
i noticed that if i don’t tuck the front of my shirt in, i’m covering the lifters face. i guess this one would only apply to those of us that have pot bellies.
and to the lifter, don’t raise your head off the bench while your spotter is standing over you. the result could be life altering. i’ve come close once and don’t want a reoccurence. i equate the experience to being slightly missed by an oncoming truck. it’s terrifying
Yes, spotters should tuck their shirts and remove at least one of their earphones if they’re listening to music. Although removing both earphones is prefered, either way they need to be tucked into your shirt or pocket. They become a distraction If they’re dangling from your neck or hanging out in mid air.