Omit the deadlift

[Nicky85]

Hi Andy,

What are your thoughts on omitting the deadlift for athletes?

Starr claims in his book higher danger than the benefits.

Are you a fan of the shrugs/cleans/power pulls HLM pulling set up for athletes?

Thanks again for your time.

[Andy Baker (KSC)]

I'm not in favor of omitting the deadlift. Mainly because if you teach it right there is nothing inherently dangerous about the lift. If you work/coach in an environment that is not conducive to teaching things properly and supervising, then I can see a reason for omission, but kids could just as easily get hurt on unsupervised squats.

Especially for young athletes who need to build up their strength and muscle mass, they need to DL.

[Giri Kotte]

What if there are other constraints to performing a deadlift? Can a good general strength program be designed without deadlift?

[Nicky85]

Thanks Andy makes sense, how about an already strong puller though? I am talking mostly for contact sports athletes. Do you think deadlifts have their place?Maybe in some sort of variation?

Personally, I stopped deadlifting weekly and I feel super fresh.

[Andy Baker (KSC)]

What if there are other constraints to performing a deadlift? Can a good general strength program be designed without deadlift?

Of course.

[Andy Baker (KSC)]

Thanks Andy makes sense, how about an already strong puller though? I am talking mostly for contact sports athletes. Do you think deadlifts have their place?Maybe in some sort of variation?

Personally, I stopped deadlifting weekly and I feel super fresh.

For sport athletes, I wouldn't have them doing frequent heavy deadlifts. Certainly wouldn't have them doing limit Deadlifts at any rep range in-season or trying to balance with super demanding practice. But for a guy who pulls 500+, doing a few moderate sets at 405 with a little speed on the bar isn't going to overtrain you. Doing limit triples at 495 probably not such a good idea.

[Giri Kotte]

Of course.

Please point me to one such template, Andy.

[Nicky85]

Thank you Andy, this is answering my question actually.

[Andy Baker (KSC)]

Please point me to one such template, Andy.

You want me to comb through the internet for you and find you a program without deadlifts in it? Or do you want me to write you a hypothetical program with no deadlifts?

[Giri Kotte]

You want me to comb through the internet for you and find you a program without deadlifts in it? Or do you want me to write you a hypothetical program with no deadlifts?

No, Sir. Rather was asking you to name a good one if you happen to know already