Not pulling long enough (snatch)

Common Mistake

Not pulling long enough and transferring the work onto the arms or not being efficient.

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Solution

Pull longer with the force from the legs. Pull long and forceful enough so that the weight enters the ballistic flight, meaning it would keep going if you let go. Make sure that the shoulders are rising first.

Description

This common mistake can occur in any snatch variation and the cause can be that one simply transfers the work to the arms rather than finishing the pull. It can also be that the torso is not rising fast enough.

The torso is pulled up by the muscles in the legs that make the hips extend. If the issue is that you feel like the path is short, i.e. you feel like you have to use the arms, then consider watching the video about shoulders rising first.

Another cause can be that the legs are fatigued or the weight is too heavy.

The following photo is an example of what that looks like.

You can pull until the torso is straight but you can also pull longer and lean back through thoracic hyperextension, hip extension, knee flexion, etc. but you do not want to be in an excessive forward position (hips flexed) while the arms start to bent (elbow flexion).

The following photo is a good example where the pull is much longer and the shoulders are way past the hips (leaning back) and the arm is still straight.

Related Exercises

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