Learning the Olympic Lifts

[Brandon Wozniewicz]

For a beginner, is it better to start learning from the floor, or a hang position; and is it better to catch in a power or full squat position when starting to learn the movements?

Thanks

[Marshall Flagg]

Yes. You are not going to find a definitive answer although most would probably say some version of top down. There is no point in forcing someone into the full movement right away if they can't get into a reasonable bottom position.

The best way to learn is to find a real WL gym with a real WL coach and learn. You might be lucky and have a CF gym nearby with a solid WL program.

Obviously, there is a myriad of coaching/techniques/tips online. It can be done alone but it's really hard.

[David Meverden]

Whenever learning something new best to always start with a coach, even if that coach is just conveying knowledge to you through a book or series of videos.

So, in short, find a teaching progression for the o-lift you want to learn and follow that. Do NOT rush moving on to the next step in the progression. If you want to learn it right then that means being patient.

Most will teach it from the top down.

[Jon Hanover]

Originally Posted by David Meverden

Whenever learning something new best to always start with a coach, even if that coach is just conveying knowledge to you through a book or series of videos.

So, in short, find a teaching progression for the o-lift you want to learn and follow that. Do NOT rush moving on to the next step in the progression. If you want to learn it right then that means being patient.

Most will teach it from the top down.

Agree 100%. You can transition out of a gym, but if you're learning the lifts, a keen eye and proper coaching is worth the initial investment.

[Kenneth Cheung]

agree with the above, find a coach.

also, use a PVC, we have Chinese national team coaches come and coach at our box on a 12week cycle, the first 6 weeks are all done with PVC.

if you're really interested the CF weightlifting cert is worth taking as it'll give you the basic points of performance to follow.

[Brendan McNamar]

Panhandle Power Olympic Weightlifting Club

PANHANDLE POWER
1601 S. Travis
Amarillo, TX 79102
Club: #26013
Phone: (806) 379-9411

[Nik Nichols]

Start light, stay light, work form till you have it dialed in. Don't go heavy early and develop bad technique. Go through all the forms. Work through them all.

[Chris Sinagoga]

Brandon I would suggest picking one thing about the movement each day to focus on. Not the movement itself.

For instance, say you want to work on the strength in positions for the clean, I would practice the movements in the following order:

Squat
Kettlebell swing
Box jump
Wallball
Hang clean
Clean

If you are working on timing, practice:

Kettlebell swing
Kipping pull-up
Skilled Rope Climb (WFS)
Skill Burpee
Hang clean
Hang clean
More hang clean

Basically, have a good understanding of why you want to do a clean in the first place then your drills will naturally reflect that.

[Brian Diez]

Are you asking for you or are you trying to teach it to someone?