question about bar path in the deadlift

[jnghnl]

When i deadlift, the bar travels up vertically until it passes the knees, and then it comes behind(towards the body) a bit, and back forward againt at the lockout. It forms a path like this : ) (beginning from the top of the knees) Coach Rip says the bar must stay in contact with the legs all the way, and when the weight is light, i can manage to press the bar into my thighs, but the bar travels in a non vertical line like i said above. But when the weigt gets heavy, no matter how hard i try to keep contact, the bar floats about half an inch away from the thighs but strangely enough the bar path is vertical.

And I've been watching other people's deadlifts on the "technique" forum to see if i can find an answer to this, and I've seen a lot of guys lose contact from the knees up but no one addressing this unless it's really serious like 2 inches apart. Also, another common situation I noticed is where the bar travels up vertically, but on the eccentric half goes a bit forward toward the knees as it slids down the thighs. So is it okay to lose contact with the thighs if the path is vertical? I'd really like to post a video of myself, but I'm not in a situation where i can tape myself, so I'd appreciate it if someone can help me judging from what i can explain on text.

[Mark Rippetoe]

The bar path should be vertical DIRECTLY PLUMB TO THE MID-FOOT. If your bar is in the air off your thigh, it is forward of the balance point. the cue to DRAG THE BAR UP THE LEGS is used for this reason.