Coaching Points of the Hang Snatch
by Mike Clark, Texas A&M University
Learn to teach the Snatch with the proper techniques necessary so that your athletes will experience success with this new lift.

Just follow the step by step coaching points.


Starting Position
  • Stance shoulder width apart, feet flat on the floor, toes pointed out.
  • Bar very close to the shins or slightly touching.
  • Grip is as wide as the distance between elbow to elbow.
  • Arms straight with the elbows rolled to the outside, wrist curled under.
  • Back is straight, flat and very tight.
  • Head in-line with the spine, looking forward.
  • Chest is up, shoulder blades are pinched and the traps are relaxed.
  • Shoulders in front of or over the bar.
  • Inhale before pulling the bar off the floor.

First Pull

  • Squeeze the bar off the floor slowly.
  • Hips and shoulders come up at the same rate.
  • Back remains at the same angle and very tight, rigid.
  • The bar moves straight up, the knees move out of the bar path to allow the bar to come up.
  • Shoulders stay over the bar with the arms straight.
  • Body weight is evenly distributed on the feet.

Second Pull

  • Lifter reaches the power position.
  • Back is straight and slightly arched.
  • Shoulders stay over the bar as long as possible.
  • Shoulders are thrust up and backwards.
  • Hips are thrust up and forward.
  • Bar brushes against the top part of the thighs and must stay close to the body.
  • Arms remain straight as long as possible before the lifter pulls with them.
  • When the lifter does bend at the arms the elbows come up and out to the sides

The Rack or Catch

  • Drop from the toes to heels into a good squat stance.
  • Elbows rotate around the bar.
  • Catch the bar over the back portion of the head.

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