Topic: Forward? Backward?

[Matt Denslinger]

Sometimes when I'm watching olympic lifting videos I'll see that the lifter jumps backward in the lifts.

I always hear about people saying never jump forwards, but backwards is ok. Why is this? Why is backwards acceptable and forward unacceptable?

Or is it because jumping backwards means the bar would be closer to the body? In my training before, I would notice I would sometimes jump back and very rarely forward.

?

[Paul LaDuke]

Matt,

Another great question!  I like the fact that you never just except the answer but want to know why.  I also wanted to wait to see if anyone else answered your post because it seems I am always answering them.

I don't know an aswer directly but I think it would be a biomechanical reason.  I would think if you are not finishing your pull (i.e. you don't get full trunk extension) the tendenancy would be to jump forward to get under the bar.  If you over pull (full trunk extension plus a little), the bar would travel backwards and you would jump a little backwards to get under the bar.

So, if this is true, you would not want to jump forwards because you are not reaching full extension.  You would want to jump backwards because over pulling a little will usually result in a good lift.

See you in July at the Keystone State Games!

[Matt Denslinger]

Matt,

Another great question!  I like the fact that you never just except the answer but want to know why.  I also wanted to wait to see if anyone else answered your post because it seems I am always answering them.

Ha, oh well, thanks for answering.

Yeah, well I figured I always hear people give the saying "forwards is never, backwards is ok" but they never explain it and I'm like "ok....."

I don't know an aswer directly but I think it would be a biomechanical reason.  I would think if you are not finishing your pull (i.e. you don't get full trunk extension) the tendenancy would be to jump forward to get under the bar.  If you over pull (full trunk extension plus a little), the bar would travel backwards and you would jump a little backwards to get under the bar.

Maybe the pulling style of the lifter too. Maybe if they throw their body back more?

So, if this is true, you would not want to jump forwards because you are not reaching full extension.  You would want to jump backwards because over pulling a little will usually result in a good lift.

Yeah, but wouldn't you have to be careful with over pulling a little? I mean if you overpull it a little too much wouldn't you give up time getting under the bar? The more I learn about this sport the more it seems like a fine art with brute strength.

See you in July at the Keystone State Games!

Yeah, I'm still planning to go. Hopefully no injuries until then.

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

In my opinion, any drifting away from the body during the pull is death because the bar is moving away from the center of gravity. A backward pull is strong, but more difficult to control.

Just my 2 cents.