Focus on Technique

When weightlifting, the focus should always be on technique.  It’s a constant challenge to maintain that technique.  So, of course, you have to make a conscious effort to be consistent in your approach.  The only thing that should change as the weight on the bar goes up is your effort.

Use exercises and your coaches eye to fine tune technique.  The exercise below is one approach.

In this video, I’m starting with a below the knee snatch pull followed by a below the knee hang snatch.  The knee is an important transitional point, so this is a good place to work with.  The first lift focuses on you pulling and keeping the bar close.  The hang snatch follows the same groove to reinforce an efficient movement.  The green line in front of the toes is your boundary.  You should be keeping the bar behind that line to maintain better leverage and efficiency of movement.  This is where using video is a great way to check the bar trajectory.

The exercise helps to reinforce the correct groove without having the lifter overthink the movement.  Ideally, the lifter should feel the movement and know when it’s right.  Focus on technique.  It’s an integral part of your making that big PR down the road.

Taping your thumbs

Taping your thumbs can help make it easier to use your hook grip in weightlifting.  It can also help to avoid blisters and torn skin.  This video illustrates a way to tape your thumbs so that you can get a good grip and not hurt your thumb from improper taping.

Some lifters  find that it can also help to tape some fingers between the joints for the same reason.  When taping the fingers, I typically tear a strip of tape in half lengthwise.  I then wrap the finger between the joint and the palm or between joints.  This allows full mobility while protecting the fingers.