[quote author="Matt Norquist (WashedupDec)" date="1348898949"]That amount of complexity seems wildly unnecessary, especially since most athletes who don’t do OLs as their primary sport never really master (and thus never get the most out of) even the simple variations.
I think when teaching the movement, the hang position is best way to learn. Then throughout season, simply progress the exercise from most resistance (Full clean) to slightly lighter weights (power clean) to lighter still (clean and jerk) to lighter yet (snatch) – is as complicated as I’d get. Frankly, there’s no reason it should get stale, and as it is an assistance exercise to our primary exercise of running, no need to do all sorts of variants.
Respectfully I will disagree. If people don’t think creatively then you will be getting the same results as most. Per the two previously mentioned examples one lift was developed by a coach who brought an athlete to a silver medal in 08 the other lift has been used by many people in a number of different areas. As for the power clean its a great lift. However, if you are looking for an edge creatively you must push the limits. Some things might not be worth the risk. But, when you have an athlete you have been training for 5 plus years options are useful to keep you athltes getting better. Ultimately, this types of variations are not to be used by someone starting to lift for the first time. Results should be your guide and that is why I know these variations are useful as many athletes benefited.[/quote]
What do you disagree with? Bc a medalist did it is not good reason to do twisting or jumping cleans. I know medalists who stopped squatting after age 24. Doesn’t make it a smart approach. I didn’t say I think variety is bad and what I posed is variety – but I almost thought the initial post was meant as a joke. Innovation is great – and we need to start introducing massive creativity until basics are mastered and until someone is cleanining double bw – or at least 1.5x – basics have a ways to go.