Wrist Position in Press 2.0 Video

[composite]

Mark,

I have been allowing my wrist to bend back on the press, which may be the source of some wrist pain. Per SS3, the wrist should make about a 15 degree angle. For this video:

http://startingstrength.com/index.ph...g_to_press_2.0

22:33, 21:45 - wrist "tight"
26:11, 19:55 - wrist bent back

It seems that in the video the wrist positions varied quite a bit. Do you care to comment on this? After now keeping my wrists tight, I feel as if I was definitely cheating in the past by letting them bend back.

[Mark Rippetoe]

http://startingstrength.com/index.ph...ipping_matters

[rageshrub]

Not to drag things too far off topic, but how would this position relate to the jerk? Are we looking for the same efficiency of force transfer? It seems to me most lifters tend to have bent wrists when jerking.

[Mark Rippetoe]

What most lifters do and what most lifters should do are often two different things. The question is, would the analysis change between jerk and press, and why?

[hollismb]

What most lifters do and what most lifters should do are often two different things. The question is, would the analysis change between jerk and press, and why?

Bent wrists with the jerk allow the bar to rest on the deltoids, which results in a more efficient transfer the force of the knee/hip extension to the bar. We're not concerned with moment arms in the wrists during the jerk, because it's the hip/knee extension, not the shoulders/arms, that gets the bar moving.

[Bluntschli]

What most lifters do and what most lifters should do are often two different things. The question is, would the analysis change between jerk and press, and why?

It sure seems like the possibility of the bar rolling forward would be much greater in an explosive movement like the jerk. But I don't know if that's enough of a reason to angle the wrists back more.

[composite]

So were you just concentrating on the 2.0 aspect and not worried about the wrist? A lot of those people looked pretty strong and experienced. I guess some of the more robust people can get away with these types of breakdowns without injury. The fragile ones have to be more careful.

[rageshrub]

What most lifters do and what most lifters should do are often two different things. The question is, would the analysis change between jerk and press, and why?

That's why I can't understand the soft wrist position being taught. There is still a need for force transfer through the wrist into the hand and ultimately bar. The majority of that force may well be produced by the lower body, but it still ultimately has to get to the bar.

Is there something special about the jerk I'm missing at this point?

[Mark Rippetoe]

Bent wrists with the jerk allow the bar to rest on the deltoids, which results in a more efficient transfer the force of the knee/hip extension to the bar. We're not concerned with moment arms in the wrists during the jerk, because it's the hip/knee extension, not the shoulders/arms, that gets the bar moving.

Correct. But if you could manage both solid wrists and delt contact, that would allow both press-drive and dip-drive, right?

[osv2]

http://startingstrength.com/index.ph...ipping_matters

All this is sound and when applied to BP is straightforward. On the press 2.0 though, provided one have solid hip drive, what prevents him from straightening wrists into optimal position right after the bar leaves shoulders, when bar is effectively weightless compared to strength of wrist flexors? Do you think it's sound technique option to try?