Knee Rebend in the Pulls of Olympic Weightlifters

[Jacob K. Feldmeier]

I've recently noticed a lot of olympic-level weightlifters having knee re-bends in their pulls, and I was curious as to your thoughts on the matter. Now, I wouldn't ask you to give advice to a professional athlete you aren't coaching and have only seen footage of, but I predict your experience can shed more light than my lack thereof. Is this an issue like a rounded upper back in the deadlift of elite powerlifters that can make sense in the context of international level competition, or something else?

An example:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fO9LTQgzRw

[Mark Rippetoe]

You're new to the sport, right?

[Gunnhild Bruno]

I'm guessing he also has not read the book.

[Sean Herbison]

Or done an Olympic lift.

[Jacob K. Feldmeier]

I do not participate in the sport of olympic weightlifting except as a spectator, and have little experience with the lifts themselves, hence the question.

[Sean Herbison]

I do not participate in the sport of olympic weightlifting except as a spectator, and have little experience with the lifts themselves, hence the question.

The knee rebend is on purpose, it's helpful, and it would be incredibly hard to avoid even if you wanted to.