Topic: Frame by frame of Kendrick Farris's 200 Clean

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

If you want to watch frame by frame you can.

Sure, lots of ways to do it. Best way really is to open the video in editing software.

[Craig Vandeweghe]

Personally I use Abode Premiere 6.5 for video editing. Its a very powerful editing tool.

[Jim Hooper]

Here's a frame by frame of a Kaki 170 Snatch.

[John Murdock]

I noticed you liked Kendrick Farris's clean technique, and while it is clear it is effective based on the results, what do you think of his back angle as he pulls?  He doesn't stay flat backed as I have heard is required thru the first pull.  While Kaki not only stays flat backed, he may actually bend over more as he pulls?  Have I been mistaken in thinking a flat back pull is key, does he do something else different that makes the flat back unnecessary.  (by flat back i mean basically keeping the same back angle you start with thru the first pull)

[Jim Hooper]

John, I think they both have great mechanics in the "first pull."  Both maintain a neutral spine, and in both cases, there is no significant elevation of the hips; the angle of a line passing through their shoulders and hip joints relative to the floor varies by only a few degrees, and hips and chest basically rise together.  The torso angulation is never going to be a perfectly constant angle, though many lifters are so technically superb that its hard to detect any difference through that phase.  In some great lifters, particularly ones with longer legs to get out of the way, the torso angle changes pretty drastically in the first pull -- Georgi Gardev and Kolecki come to mind.   
The angle will vary based on lever lengths from lifter to lifter, differs from snatch to clean, etc. -- all those factors can result in different mechanics of "getting the knees out of the way" and staying over the support.  The first-pull keys common to all good lifters and that most coaches recommend, I think, include a locked, neutral spine; hips and chest rising at approximately the same rate (i.e., same basic torso angle); knees moving back and shins coming vertical, so the barbell can pass them; straight arms; and balance.   The locked, neutral spine is absolutely critical for safety -- rounding your spine puts shear forces on spinal ligaments and discs that can cause devastating injury -- common knowledge, and true knowledge.  That aspect of maintaining a "flat back" -- in effect, starting with and maintaining stable angles between vertebrae,  is non-negotiable, in my opinion.  As long as the spine is "flat" in that sense, I think you work to get the most efficient mechanics your frame allows in terms of the torso angle relative to the floor.   Close to constant, hips and chest rising at same rate, is basically the goal.   I'm probably leaving something out.  But Kaki and Kendrick both exhibit all of those mechanics.   Thanks, Jim