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Larry Thiel
05-03-2010, 08:14 PM
I have seen a number of olympic lifters that tilt their head back and open their mouths during the clean. Can you explain why they would being doing this?
Charles Staley
05-05-2010, 09:15 PM
It's just a common thing that happens when some people get ready for a max effort. I wouldn't make too much of it


I have seen a number of olympic lifters that tilt their head back and open their mouths during the clean. Can you explain why they would being doing this?
ColoWayno
05-06-2010, 02:19 AM
Are you talking about when they are reaching full extension? I've been watching a lot of video and noticed the head tilt but not the mouth opening. I think I am emulating that a little bit.
I have a problem with feeling like I'm going to lose control of the bar when I power clean so I've been trying to consciously "let myself go" and that seems to actually help.
Are there better cues for this or a better way to fix those of us with these sort of mental blocks?
Charles Staley
05-06-2010, 09:29 AM
Mmm, not sure what you're asking me here- better cues for what exactly??



I have a problem with feeling like I'm going to lose control of the bar when I power clean so I've been trying to consciously "let myself go" and that seems to actually help.
Are there better cues for this or a better way to fix those of us with these sort of mental blocks?
ColoWayno
05-06-2010, 09:37 AM
Mmm, not sure what you're asking me here- better cues for what exactly??

Yea, kind of a stupid question. I think the answer I need is just to do a lot of reps with a weight I'm not worried about. It just seems there's enough time during the first pull to psych yourself out and ruin the rest of the movement.
If I just picture it racked from the beginning , (like I'm supposed to) that will solve a lot of problems.
matclone
05-06-2010, 10:43 AM
Are you talking about when they are reaching full extension?

No, he's talking about the 1st pull. After they get set, and at the point of the initial launch from the floor, some lifters will open their mouth wide.
jep6095
05-06-2010, 10:43 PM
I was told by a former coach that opening the mouth (dropping the jaw really) relaxes the shoulders in preparation for the pull off the floor.

Stress *FORMER* coach. I really don't want anything to relax prior to pulling a max effort clean off the floor. :confused:
jp