"Clean" squat clean vs power clean

[Eric Schubring]

From the CF FAQ:

Squat clean aka Full Clean aka Clean = start from the floor, catch in a full squat.
Hang clean = start from the hang position (above or below the knees), catch in the full squat position.
Power clean = start from the floor, catch in a quarter or half squat position aka the power position.
Hang power clean = start from the hang position above or below the knees, catch in the quarter or half squat.
"Hang" describes where you start.
"Power" describes where you catch.

Why do I keep seeing workouts posted where it says "clean" but implies a power clean? If it says "clean," I assume squat clean. Elizabeth vs Grace for example. Or the 12/11/11 WOD... confusing!

[Jason Doll]

In weightlifting, the clean can be received in the squat or in the power position. So to me "clean" with out a descriptor means any way you want. If you specify power then you need receive in the power position, if you specify squat clean then it needs to be received in the squat position. I'm not sure why (besides it being written in the FAQ) "clean" would imply full squat clean. Just my opinion.

[Mike McGee]

Your assumption is correct (as I have been taught or lead to believe)...

If you read through the comments section under the WOD your questioned is discussed. Best thing to do as many mentioned in the comments section is "however" you decided to do it, make note so you know for next time.

[Eric Schubring]

Thanks for the feedback. Now I will take "clean" as get it to the front rack position any way possible. I think the FAQ actually made things more complicated.

[Ben Moskowitz]

Originally Posted by Eric Schubring

Thanks for the feedback. Now I will take "clean" as get it to the front rack position any way possible. I think the FAQ actually made things more complicated.

Here's some perspective from a weightlifting coach:

Originally Posted by Greg Everett

The clean brings a barbell from the floor to the shoulders. Regardless of at what height the bar is first secured on the shoulders, if the athlete squats during the receipt and recovery, it is a clean. The term "squat clean" is redundant. Don't say it.

http://www.cathletics.com/exercises/...?exerciseID=59

link wfs

[Katherine Derbyshire]

From the IWF rules:

The first part, the Clean:
The barbell is placed horizontally in front of the lifter's legs. It is gripped,
palms downwards and pulled in a single movement from the platform to the
shoulders, while either splitting or bending the legs. During this continuous
movement, the barbell may slide along the thighs and the lap. The barbell
must not touch the chest before the final position. It then rests on the clavicles
or on the chest above the nipples or on the arms fully bent. The feet return to
the same line, legs straight before performing the Jerk. The lifter may make
this recovery in his or her own time and finish with the feet on the same line,
parallel to the plane of the trunk and the barbell.

Katherine

[Ian Nigh]

so when using cleans for conditioning purposes, the term "squat clean" does in fact serve to specifically define the work to be performed.

[Eric Schubring]

I see how it makes perfect sense from a powerlifter's point of view. For a crossfitter trying to increase speed and compete with other peoples times, there could still be some confusion. An example would be Elizabeth. Every time I have done it, I had full squat depth on every rep. Utilizing a power clean would cut the time in half.

[David Alexander]

The attitude used to be that anytime it said "clean" it was referring to a full depth squat clean (as per the FAQ). So the best example being Elizabeth (or Linda) you would have to do a full squat for each rep. However, I have noticed in the last year or so, in the videos posted on the main page of athletes doing workouts like Elizabeth, they just do power cleans. Remember these past games the Rope Climb/Clean&Jerk WOD? You would think they had to do full squat cleans, but they all did power cleans (which are faster).
So bottom line is they need to update the FAQ, because all it does is confuse people. Just do cleans however you want.

[Eric Montgomery]

My opinion matches what Katherine posted--a clean just means taking the bar from the floor up to your shoulders. Absent any specification as to whether it must be a power clean or it must be a squat clean, all you have to do it get it up to a front rack.

I don't see much use in doing a squat clean just for the sake of doing a squat clean--if it's a weight that you're capable of power cleaning, then doing a squat clean just teaches muted hip extension and a less powerful second pull. If you want the metabolic conditioning effects of the full squats you can achieve them by mixing heavy front squats into a metcon.