close grip vs. regular grip

Coach K,
I think using a variety of grips is the best method. Remember that you are only as strong as your weakest link, so say if your chest allows you to bench 400, but your tris only allow you to bench 315, then you will only bench 315. In this case, using close grip can help bring up tris (along with tri extensions, etc.) A wide grip can help bring up the lats, which are also important in pressing. Use close grip, wide grip, traditional grip..etc. There are certain coaches who think that using a grip that simulates blocking (semi close grip) is the best method because it is sport specific. But if you use one single grip all the time, you are missing out on the effects that grip variety brings, plus athletes bodies can also adapt to the same grip every single session and canl eventually begin to plateau.

Use assitance exercises that bring up the muscles used in the bench. Lifts that will bring up the triceps, lats and the anterior, medial and posterior deltoids should be performed.

how do you feel about using dumbells for the bench press, incline bench, decline, etc.? I had a shoulder injury in high school, and afterwards I found the db bench to be much more effective, giving me a much broader range of motion. It takes more time to increase the weight as on a barbell bench press, but I believe my strength is increased over a much wider range than with barbells. You can't realy very your grip much on db's, but I don't think there is much need to, but I could be wrong..hit me back with your thoughts.