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It's not like you need someone to take a protractor and measure out 45 degrees. But I agree, usually, around 45 degrees or so will be about right. Maybe a little less but probably not more. But to tell the truth, Cradler, the question suprises me cause I can't bench at all with my arms tucked against my side accept with db's. Not only does it cause discomfort in my shoulders but I my wrists won't turn enough in that position, so it hurts the wrists as well as the elbows. It doesn't seem like a natural way to do it. But what's very important is the the angle is maintained thoughout. You may find the angle drifting out during the lift or even worse just plain flailing around. You gotta keep the elbows tucked solid, but no, "tucked" does not mean completely against you sides. I think you probably would find it better to bring em out.

I agree with you on the beginner's thing. To be frank, if you had Coach Rippetoe coaching you it may be different but I think people would be better off with more "freedom" to learn outside of the restricted environment of a very static program. This doesn't mean you aren't getting better and progressing but that the emphasis starts more on learning basic technique rather than on the fastest possible progression. I will keep saying that I don't believe that the fastest possible progression is always necessarily the best way to go.

I don't think most will do it. They will come asking for a program. If you ask them if they know all the lifts they will get insulted, as if bench press technique is handed out at birth or something, and then they will proceed to have problems but be unwilling to compromise in any way in their quest to be "strong and big".

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If you act sanctimonious I will just list out your logical fallacies until you get pissed off and spew blasphemous remarks.

HAHAHA!

Here's a typical internet exchange I used to have with people (before Squat Rx - thankfully, I've had a lot less since):

MeatHead: My squat has plateaued at XYZ pounds. What should I do?
Me: How is your technique?
MeatHead: Oh, my technique is good. JohnnyBigThighs taught me how to squat so I know I'm good. What routine should I do?
Me: ...

The thing is that form ALWAYS needs work. ESPECIALLY if you are getting stronger and pushing heavier and heavier weights. Working on form doesn't mean you have to stop lifting heavy, but if aren't paying regular attention to form, it's probably going to deteriorate.

Think about any elite athlete; a sprinter, a swimmer, an Olympic weightlifter, whomever - they all train brutally hard, but they are constantly monitoring and tweaking technique. They don't get to a certain level and then say "Ok, my form's good. I don't need to work on that anymore."

This is weird to me. I feel really uncomfortable with my elbows even slightly out - like, my arms rub against my torso when I do bench reps, that level of closeness. I don't feel at all comfortable on bench unless my arms are totally tucked, and you're the opposite. Something weird about that, haha.

Hahaha this is funny, but sadly true. I'm no expert but I've wandered over to a few wrestlers on my team and asked them if they know the right form for a squat (usually if I see them doing 1/8 squats like everyone does...) and they get furious. And then they don't get any bigger. C'est la vie, I guess.