I should have realised that changing my snatch technique 3 weeks before the Northern Masters weight lifting competition was a bad idea. The changes I’ve made:
- Slightly wider stance.
- Feet angled out a little more.
- Knees pushed out more.
The purpose of the changes is to provide a shorter path for the bar to rise as my knees don’t get in the way so much, which reduces the tendency to raise my bum up first, before my shoulders. Seems all fine in theory, but it’s messed up my timing and everything feels wrong.
An hour doing snatches down the gym today and I failed 5 times in a row to snatch even 65kg! 60kg went up ok, but was wibbly wobbly. I need to nail this new technique quickly if I’m to have any hope of qualifying for the BWLA Masters finals.
That’s not to mention the clean and jerks. Amazing how much difference 5kg makes. I was doing 80kg easy peasy yesterday, but as soon as I went to 85kg, it all went wibbly again (technical term 
). I’m beginning to think I won’t make the weights I want. Ho hum.
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi Col – what are your qualifying weights and how far off are you? Don’t beat yourself up about it now – chances are the occasion will take over and you will get the required weights – just needs a bit of adrenalin to kick in!
Hi Colin,
Ive been looking through your site and am impressed, I am currently trying to get into the weightlifting scene at the moment and was wondering if you could point me in the right direction! Please contact me via E-mail, maybe we can exchange training tips etc.
Thanks
Nik
Jane, I need a total of 175kg (best Snatch + Best Clean and Jerk) and I got a total of 165kg at the last competition in Nov 08 with an equal PB snatch and new PB C&J. So I need to find an extra 10kg.
However, I have yet to lift this year even what I got back in November, let alone increase it.
Nik – In the first instance, I’d look for a Crossfit affiliated gym near you. If that fails, call BWLA directly and ask if there’s a gym or coach they know of near you.