During a hand release pushup, can soldiers rest on the ground?

During a hand release pushup, soldiers are permitted to rest only in the front leaning rest position, which means they can pause at the top of the pushup with their hands on the ground and their body in a straight line, similar to the plank position. This is essentially a brief pause that allows them to prepare for the next repetition of the movement.

Resting in this position is important because it provides a momentary reprieve while ensuring that the exercise maintains its integrity and form.

Allowing rest in other positions or for extended times would deviate from the prescribed standards of the exercise, which are designed to assess upper body strength and endurance effectively. Only resting while maintaining the appropriate plank posture ensures that soldiers focus on engaging the correct muscles during the pushup.