I like a hybrid between what acidhell and devils described. I use the top-down approach in the general warm-up and the front squat/clean pull plan in the training. Glad to see this thread back on-topic. Sorry for any distractions I helped create.
I’d like to know what the feelings are on the actually importance of finishing the clean (the catch) for a sprinter? Is this part of the lift important or is the most important part the full extension (the pull). Reason for asking is that I know someone who has made great strength gains from blocks with a wrist injury (therefore not being to complete the lift) and only doing the pull part (full extension off the hips) with 140/150kg…Is this coincidence or relative?
The catch part could provide a stimulus for eccentric strength development.
It’s more bang for your buck but you could get the eccentric strength development from somewhere else if you had to just as you could get the benefits of the clean itself from somewhere else.
Interesting post Jason maybe could have improved from the blocks a bit more had he been able to complete the clean. But the important part is the triple extension achieved from the pull so perhaps that’s all he needs.
I think that exercise progressions listed above really shoots the ‘cleans aren’t worth teaching’ theory to pieces - any of those exercises could form a legimate part of any lifting program, and they also happen to provide a technical bridge toward the clean.
TC, I agree but I tend to find that the front squat component of the clean isn’t challenging for the athlete unless they are experienced lifters.
I don’t see the point of not finishing the pull. Really. Whats so difficult about it?
Acid, Its not so much a question of difficulty but more relevance. I’ll ask you this (again in relation to what I have seen). If the same athlete really did see such phenominal strength gains from blocks whilst doing the movement at 150kg (without the catch) would he have had the same results with the clean max he had (before wrist injury) 105kg.
I don’t think the clean catch/rack is that important. I think that the 150 clean pull would be an equal or better stimulus than the 105 clean. With the clean pull, you’re still catching it at your waist right?
Yes and still achieving triple extension!
are you talking about clean pull low or high pull?
Hi Tamfb,I’m not sure of what the actually name for the movement is…but it is the clean from the floor without the catch (the follow through of the elbows) at the top. Thanks…
does the bar come up to near chest height (high pull) or just above or around the waist (low pull)?
From what I remember its a High pull. But in fairness, as the weight has got progressively heavier the height of the pull drops slightly to below the chest but above the waist…sort of middle ground.
Hmmm interesting points… From my experience snatch/clean pulls alter the mechanics/velocity of the lift,slightly and most athletes do not perform the really well if they haven’t been taught the full lifts first…
As far as the stimulus, i bet if they are performed properly (even clean pulls) would have a similar effect on the desirable motor qualities
If you are speaking of high clean/snatch pulls then yes they do alter mech of the lift bc ‘elbows bends power ends’. low clean/ snatch pull is more aux strength move to assist the clean/snatch so the speed wont be as high when compared to the pc or ps. I dont see why athletes would have problems with performing a clean/snatch pull.
i meant low
Where else could you get the benefots of the clean TC?
thanks
Where else could you get the benefits of the clean TC?
thanks
medicine ball throws (for explosive triple extension), plyometrics .
The eccetrnic strength component could also be taken care with sprints themselves or with plyos too.
But olympic lifts are a HUGE conveniency.