One does not simply bicep curl into Mordor

Snatch day
Warm up

Power Snatch
3 x 30
3 x 40
3 x 50

Snatch
Failure because I couldn't get the bar overhead in the squat position. Back to the old shoulders. I can fire 50 kilos overhead from the floor without issue but anymore weight and I'd need to catch it lower - which I can't do yet!

Power Snatches focusing on hip drive
3 x 40

Snatch pulls from floor
3 x 70
3 x 80
3 x 90

Back squats
3 x 80
3 x 90
3 x 105

Pause squats
5 x 60
5 x 60

BW dips to finish.
 
Overhead squats and snatch balances take your fancy? :)

The principles behind both are to get the lifter comfortable in that nasty catch position, and will show up anything that needs stretching/releasing/etc.
 
Slow, overhead squats were part of my warmup. A complete struggle at that. It feels like I need to pull the bar apart and it's really uncomfortable. Pushing the bar overhead for snatch balances are trickier, though. I can't seem to push the bar overhead from a partial squat position. There's just a complete inability to drive it up there.
 
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Overhead squat fast once you have managed the bar. Keep the attention on your knees.

To help with this and the snatch balance, try the Sots Press: back squat with a snatch grip, then press the bar whilst in the hole. ;)

For the snatch balance, do the exercise without a bar - just with your arms crossed. This should get you used to the movement and the route down to the end position.

For improved mobility, do barbell dislocations and get your hands as close together as possible. Think Lu Xiaojun jerk technique. ;)
 
Dislocations are part of my daily mobility drills.

I can overhead squat the broomstick with no issue after doing dislocations but damn the tightness across my pecs is unreal! I haven't seen my cousin in a while but that'll be on the agenda next time I'm getting my mobility revised and physio.

The range of motion I have in my legs, ankles and hips is unreal now and it's all came rather quickly, albeit with a fair bit of painful work every night. My shoulders are taking their damn time to free up though!

This popped up on my news feed today, worth a read:
http://www.allthingsgym.com/larrys-chinese-weightlifting-experience-part-1-snatches-squats/

His clubs training logs with plenty of videos:
http://www.pendlayforum.com/showthread.php?t=15188
 
Yes, it is an interesting log!

It does sound like you need to work on your shoulders/pecs/etc., as this will be what prevents you being able to train for decent positions.

Most of my work over the past few months is now being cut back to lots of low-weight reps to get them consistently good before adding weight, so it just emphasises the importance of technique, technique, technique, and technique before going nuts with the load.

Which is annoying for my ego, but feels a lot better from a technical standpoint.

There is a reason for it, after all. :)
 
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