Topic: Split Jerk vs. Push Jerk

[Matt Rupiper]

From watching videos and seeing a lot of lifters, i can think of three lifters (specifically kaki and pyrros and one chinese fella) using the push jerk.  I myself am a splitter, as are the majority of lifters.  Is there a reason to not use the split and go to the push jerk?  I'm thinking of changing things and i'm just looking for some input/opinions.

[Shaun Le Conte]

I don;t jerk well either way, but since you haven't received an answer, I'll step in. Sometimes people use the push jerk because they have an injury with the hips or a leg, and push spreads the load between the two more evenly. This may allow them to continue training the jerk. I witnessed a fellow clubmember go through this a couple months ago

For others, maybe they are actually better in the push or squat jerk than they are in the split! 

And in the rare case, there are some good lifters that decide to push jerk because their heroes do it, and then they got used to it. Really!

[Matt Rupiper]

So the answer is because of their favorite lifters do it or they are just better at it?  Darn, i was hoping for some biomechanical stuff.  Oh well.  I have had some SI issues in the past so im thinking of converting over to the push jerk.  Thanks Shaun.

[Shaun Le Conte]

My answer was primarily in the first paragraph, which was the bulk of my post. Good luck with the push jerk. From what I've seen in others' lifting, with a lot of practice it can be just as good.

I'm a kin grad too, but I don't think biomechanics can explain the advantage - feet don't move, or not much, any better than plain English can. And then there are the disadvantages.

I am sure someone else will reply.

[Jim Hooper]

Let's assume proficient technique in the split jerk means (or includes) the ability to split under and lockout a barbell so heavy that it could be driven only to forehead altitude.

What would it take for the power/squat jerk to be as good or better?

If a lifter can (a) drop into a stable power/squat jerk position, with their jerk-width grip, to a depth that allows them to lockout that same barbell, at that same altitude (about forehead height), and (b) they can consistently drive 100% weights accurately enough to put it over the smaller base of support and stay in balance, then it seems to me the power jerk would be the best technique for them -- its a shorter, and presumably quicker, displacement compared to the split.  But few lifters satisfy those conditions -- most of us tend to topple over at that depth with a jerk-width grip, so the split jerk is by far the better choice for most.

Kakiashvilis is clearly the best technician of the power jerk, I think, and his coach has described him as having had great mobility and balance.  And the shoulder and torso mobility of the great Chinese squat jerkers is obvious.  That's the critical factor I think.  Fun to watch somebody who's good at it, for sure.

[Dan Hwang]

Some possible advantages of the power jerk:  in the split jerk, some lifters have a habit of having their back leg start moving backwards before finishing the drive.  Also, some lifters may support weight overhead better with an inclined torso, which is characteristic of a proper power jerk.

[Matt Foreman]

I split jerked for my first ten years, and then I switched over to push jerks and I've been doing them full time since 2002.  My reason was exactly what Shaun described; I had an injury that made it impossible to split jerk with any heavy weights anymore, and push jerking doesn't hurt, so I push jerk.  It's held me back.  My best C&J with a split jerk was 185 and I've only done 172.5 with a push jerk.  I could split jerk 192.5 off the rack and I've only done 180 off the rack push jerking.  But it's either push jerk or no jerk because of the injury, so I push jerk.

I don't have any real biomechanical/kinesthetic explanations, and I don't think they're necessary.  Most lifters use split jerks and I think they're usually more effective than push jerks because of the average individual's flexibility.  But I think giving push jerks a try is always okay and if you find that you can push jerk better than you can split jerk, try push jerking.  If split jerking is working for you and you're good at it, just keep split jerking.  Don't fix it if it ain't broken. 

[Jim Hooper]

I'm pretty sure I read a quote from Viktor Sots, a great Soviet lifter from the past who power jerked when nobody did -- asked why, he simply said that he could jerk more weight that way.  Echoing Matt's point.  The converse of don't fix it if it ain't broke:  if it works better, do it.