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by Mike Keelan
Mistakes in the performance of the Snatch and Clean & Jerk are seen in all lifters from the novice through to the elite - they are inevitable. In some lifters they are formed as the incorrect learning of technique, and are firmly entrenched in the process of poor coaching and unsystematic training. The correction of these mistakes and the re-engineering of sound technique is a highly difficult task.
It is vital then that perfect technique is taught from the start.
Some lifters make mistakes from time -to-time, possibly caused as a result of using large volumes of work and high intensities in training and paying less attention to perfect technique. As our lifters develop training experience they will come to accept that technique does in fact alter at times and so long as the periodised training programs are followed then all will be O.K on the day.
Lifters following these periodised programs will pay attention to the development of strength using assistance exercises, these assistance exercises, even though related to the Snatch and Clean & Jerk, are not performed in precisely the same way and so technique fluctuates.
It is important, therefore, that training with the aim of developing great strength must periodically alternate with training geared toward technical perfection.
Mistakes arise because of fatigue or overtraining, I often see lifters one week demonstrating superb technique and within a week develop a series of mistakes , sometimes not even typical of the lifter, it should be clear that in these instances it is useless to work on technique correction.
Mistakes can also arise due to injury (painful back condition) or illness (head cold, infection), in these instances professional help should be called upon to deal with the damaged, ligament, tendon or bacteria causing the technical problem.
In competition mistakes can be seen through the presence emotional instability (butterflies in the stomach or nervous) to rectify this we need to train the mind and body for the task of lifting weights and this can be done within the training environment.
The articles I have presented about fault detection and correction concerning the Snatch and Clean & Jerk place emphasis on finding the main cause of incorrect lifting - correction of the initial basic mistakes will often stop other more serious mistakes developing.
Please use the information I have presented as a tool to improve your own coaching - if you wish to gain more clarity or ask any questions about the information I would be more than pleased to discuss it with you.