I've got no problems with modifying something you need to modify it. I do have a problem with saying program X is no good because some people might have to modify it.

I've yet to see any problem with the basic A-B format for a beginner. As long as loading isn't too aggressive and variation is incorporated if/when necessary, a novice can do just fine with it for a quite a while. I also see nothing wrong with forgetting assistance stuff until it's necessary.

I'm well aware that some trainees run into various problems, such as muscular strains and bad form habits, but "some" doesn't mean "all," and to suggest that everyone needs to change the program because some people have trouble with it is unnecessary. I'm sure you've dealt with plenty of people who've had problems and needed help, but does that prove that the program needs to be scrapped? No, it needs to be modified.

This is a NOVICE program, and any novice I've trained with this hasn't needed to start off with Glute-Ham raises, or pull throughs, or whatever, unless he's actually having trouble activating his posterior chain. Here the modification would be necessary. If he isn't having trouble with this, then he doesn't need to do them until extra PC work is useful, or he just gets bored and wants to try them out.

One problem I do see is that a lot of people starting this program are actually false novices, with a few years of quad knee bends and way too many partial bench presses under their belts, so they usually have some imballances that can be helped with specific assistance exercises or more emphasis somewhere.

My major problem was this:

Why not? Just beause some people have had trouble with it? Just because some people needed to add certain assistance stuff to correct problems? Just because some people loaded to aggressively and their form broke down and they developed hip flexor or knee pain? To catagorically say "do NOT do Starting Strength" just becuase some people have reported problems with it reminds me of your sig.

Starting Strength as written is fine for any true NOVICE, no exercise modifications or assistance work necessary until/unless they are necessary. The only thing that needs to be modified is the loading, which can be too agressive for someone without a more experienced person watching them. Here's where the internet breaks down :(

I guess we'll just have to disagree on this one bro!
Jeff


PS: Which assistance exercises have you had to use with people? I've had to use pull throughs and hip extensions to help with PS activation, as well as face pulls and scapulae retraction stuff to help the shoulders out. So far nothing else has been necessary, but I'm sure you've had more experience with this than me.