DL form check 355x5

[JamesW]

Coaches, any suggestions on my form?

video: http://youtu.be/ijSNbLfVHXc

Things I see/feel are:
1) Hips drop too much on rep 1 but seems better after that.
2) I've been working on dragging my legs but I still lose leg contact just above the knee for a few inches. Is this a problem?
3) Is my gaze too high? It looks high but feels right.

Thanks!

[Mac Ward]

Decent.

I don't think you are dropping your hips as much as you are rocking back slightly. STAY OVER THE BAR is what I would would be saying if I were there. The bar should feel like it is hanging from straps (arms). After the first rep, you've learned "center" and go back to that, because that's where you are strongest.

At set up, raise your hips, this will likely leave you "feeling" slightly forward, pull back on the bar with your lats, not your ass. You'll find center quickly at anything over 1.5 BW...physics will demand it if you are doing what I just said.

Keep moving the weight.

[JamesW]

Thanks, Mac. This makes sense. I compensated for being pulled forward by rocking back. Do I put tension in the lats at setup or immediately after the bar breaks the ground?

[Mac Ward]

You should be tighter than a frogs ass before the bar breaks the ground.

[JamesW]

What a mental picture you have given me, Mac. Here is the next session: http://youtu.be/FUHgoCTB1jw

I see improvement with the exception of the forth rep, which has the lean back issue. I definitely used more lats and felt more balanced. Am I on track?

[Mac Ward]

Definitely better. You rushed the first rep a little, look at your back round slightly, 4 you addressed, and 5 you dropped your hips, likely due to fatigue. Keep at it.