Pressing or driving in the Jerk?

[jackson44]

Hey All: When I'm with my coach, he usually tell me if I jerking correctly or not. However, when I train on my own, I don't know if I'm driving the bar off me or if I'm just pressing. Any ideas on how I can correct this problem on my own? Is it just feeling it? thax!!!

[kon]

The cue that's worked for me is to be "punching" up and a bit back with the palms of my hands. Usually when you do presses you tend to throw the bar a bit forward cause you are afraid of hitting your head, plus it doesn't give that extra bit that makes you get under the bar compared to a "punch".

[mhansbrough]

There are a lot of cues, drills, and lifts you can implement- just noodle around on this forum and you'll find plenty.

From personal experience I can say one thing and that's the jerk sometimes is sort of lost in some people's training. When people snatch they do a lot of lighter sets- partly b/c it's usually the first lift of the session I know but nevertheless it gets at least a few additional reps. Also, there are a lot more articles on pulling than for the jerk. Even when people do complexes it more often than not will involve say a pull, a clean and a jerk- a 2:1 ratio.

Basically I'm saying find your weakness and give it a little attention.

[Mr Black]

my weak point in the jerk is the 'dip' to 'drive' transition...when I 'dip' I seem to lose some momentum and slightly pause before going into the 'drive'. Other than do more jerks anyone have any advice/drills on not losing any speed/momentum from 'dip' to 'drive'?

[kon]

Keep doing the dip and drive and testing speeds. I found a speed where I can feel in the drive that I'm pushing against the bar throughout the whole drive and it feels pretty good. I'm not sure if it's the best but it's working so far

[jackson44]

Thanks everybody for the tips! Very helpful and I will try the drills! Looking forward to more ideas!

[Mike C.]

The cue that works for me is "fast feet - head through - catch in lunge". My cleans used to really suck so when I got to the jerk, the bar was light enough that I could make it with a pretty crummy jerk and still be strong enough to do a really fast press out as I catch.

Now that my clean doesn't suck so much, the bar is heavier, and I need to do an actual jerk. Hence my need for faster feet, bigger split, and opening up to the catch.

[glennpendlay]

Lots of good stuff here. One thing I like to emphasize is that push the bar up with your legs, and push your body down with your arms. Many of the problems people have with jerk technique have to do with using the arms too soon, this tends to push your head back behind the bar, and glue your feet to the ground.

People who are strong pressers tend to do this worse than anyone, which is why it is often harder to teach a strong presser to jerk than it is to teach a weaker person. Obviously, a strong guy will do more weight in the long run, but, it often takes a bit longer to get the proper feel of the thing.

[NewWorldMan]

Originally Posted by glennpendlay

Lots of good stuff here. One thing I like to emphasize is that push the bar up with your legs, and push your body down with your arms. Many of the problems people have with jerk technique have to do with using the arms too soon, this tends to push your head back behind the bar, and glue your feet to the ground.

Interesting...I shall try to think of this as I practice this evening.

[DebbieD]

Originally Posted by glennpendlay

Lots of good stuff here. One thing I like to emphasize is that push the bar up with your legs, and push your body down with your arms. Many of the problems people have with jerk technique have to do with using the arms too soon, this tends to push your head back behind the bar, and glue your feet to the ground.

People who are strong pressers tend to do this worse than anyone, which is why it is often harder to teach a strong presser to jerk than it is to teach a weaker person. Obviously, a strong guy will do more weight in the long run, but, it often takes a bit longer to get the proper feel of the thing.

I see what you're doing there....turning the criticism into a compliment while still getting the point across.

Seriously though, I hadn't thought of it like that. Great thread!