Yeah, I've tossed around a few ideas as to what makes a lifter do better in heeled shoes vs. flats somewhere on the boards in the past, and can't say I've solved anything.
But I suspect shorter-legged/longer-torsoed guys seem to get stuck more off the floor, and that the shoes help them get it moving off the floor. And that longer-legged/shorter-torsoed guys who get stuck past the knees find shoes take poundage off the bar. For me, it's 30-40# difference. So as a member of the latter group I try to train both, but obviously I compete in thin, flat-soled shoes.
Les, shoes have greatly improved my lockout. I think its partly because the shoes indirectly improve my starting position a little AND partly because once the bar is past my knees and I'm extending my hip, I can "lean back" harder without fear for getting too much on my heels. The solid heel (and possibly the incline) stops me from feeling like I'm going to fall backward. When I went shoeless, it always felt like I was going to fall back if I pulled harder.
Thanks for the info guys! I have been pulling in my oly shoes for assistance DL day, and it does seem like I can set up better when pulling the bar off the floor (e.g. it stays a little closer to my legs it seems). I will have to try really leaning back and see if that helps on my lockout, which is really my weak spot. Baby powder helps for meets, but I try to not use it all the time.
Hey Les, I was thinking about this. I know some people who always use the powder for maximum attempts and rep maximum attempts. I tend to use it a lot on comp dead days when the percentages are getting up there maybe as a mental thing. I also like to wear my singlet on heavy squat and dead days. On supplemental days, its regular gym clothes and minimal other stuff for me.
I was just wondering what your thoughts were on baby powder and why you refrain from its use.