There are lots of theories on lifting. We have seen many of them over the last 10-15 years go through Nebraska. Some people claim simple lifts like bench, squats, power cleans....etc is what you need to key on.
I think in the 80s Nebraska started actually designing lifting stations that resembled actual moves football players made. Some claimed that was a huge development. I even think our HS uses some of those types of machines now and we are known for having one of the nicest HS weight rooms in the state.
You sound like s super involved parent...are you at a private school?
Also, I think that Stanford Football does not squat or bench.
The part I like that has been mentioned is that the players were able to give input on how much they were ready to lift. I'm not a big lifter but I would think that would be much more advantageous than a coach simply calculating it and giving you a sheet of paper telling you how much you are supposed to lift. Obviously, there would need to be good supervision to make sure some meat head isn't doing something he shouldn't. But, the personal input is important.
I have set weight limits on the program I use. They are percentages based of my 1 rep training max but I do a serious of different reps with the weight.. I don't have an issue with using set weight limits as long as they are increased every couple weeks or every month.
It also isn't bad to really push yourself and lift what you think you can lift, as long as your safe and smart about it.
The problem can be with the first idea is some guys gain faster than others. If everyone is going off of some calculation, some guys aren't going to gain as fast as they could.
Each player would have their own weight limits based off their 1 RM. They aren't off some sheet that someone gives them saying do this weight. The point of the program is to increase your weight slowly so you don't wear out and cause yourself injuries.
Understand.
We have a very good weight coach/program in our HS for the size of school we are. But, my son comes home sometimes from lifting and it's like it was no big deal. Heck, one time he got done in about 20 minutes. When i questioned him about it, he said...I did what I was supposed to do.
Well, that's telling me that he could have done more that day. But, he was given this sheet of paper that told him what to do and he did it. I think he could have gained more if he was taught how to give input and motivated to push himself.
But, I know I wasn't there and it could be different than my impressions.
