I’m sure when the rules were written, it was never envisioned that dudes would be getting a 2-3 inch ROM and that generally speaking everyone would performing more or less a full ROM bench.
I'm not sure that I agree. There's a reason for max legal bench grip width. Keeping your ass on the bench as a rule also plays into that.
BUT IIRC, Ed Coan would put the bar so low on his back that he essentially changed the ROM of his squat (actual distance the weight was moved) so much they made a rule against ultra low bar squatting. Why not do the same with bench? It’s one thing to maximize leverages, it’s a completely different thing to contort your body to the point of essentially eliminating 80% of the work done.
Ed Coan tried to fight the notion that he was going ultra low bar... So much so that he pulled off his shirt to show the judges the blood line in his back going across his rear delts. I have to say, with how Ed was treated, I think that rule change was more political than anything. They're still trying to fuck that guy and he's done more for the sport of powerlifting than most.

