Power clean help -- hitting myself in the goddamn neck

[SWeit]

Hi guys,

Relatively new to the PC, could use some form help. I have a couple issues:

1. Seems like my knees are getting too far out in front on the catch
2. I'm hitting myself in the front of the neck pretty frequently

The vid link is the last set of a 5-set workout. Thanks in advance!

http://youtu.be/smfuSFxRlrM

[Jonathan Sutton]

Either don't pull it so hard, or add weight to the bar so it doesn't travel as far...

[SWeit]

Not sure I'm following you -- you're saying this problem should disappear as I increase the weight?

[Jonathan Sutton]

Not sure I'm following you -- you're saying this problem should disappear as I increase the weight?

Why do you think it is that the bar is hitting you in the neck?

[SWeit]

I had assumed the bar was going too far forward and was "swinging" back into my neck on the catch.

[Nick Klemetson]

These look fine to me. Only minor issues with the landing. The only thing I can say to your complaint is to focus on jumping straight up. You're going up and slightly back, which could be contributing to your problem.

[Jonathan Sutton]

I figure that If it's hitting you in the neck then you're catching the bar too high and too far back, which would suggest you're over-pulling it, and could put more weight on the bar.

[SWeit]

Right on. Thanks for the input, guys. Will continue to add weight and focus on jumping straight up.

[MBasic]

. . . you'll HAVE TO do some lighter sets to work up to your work sets.
As JSutt said, you are likely over pulling it w/ the lighter weights.

You could either try to catch these lighter weights in a taller posistion,
OR . . .
on the lighter sets, Try to take it easy at the beginning of the lift (1st pull), so you don't take QUITE SO MUCH momentum with you to the explosion phase.

Just my two cents.

[iamsmuts]

I've only hit myself in the throat once. It was during a warm up set. I've never come close during a work set.

I can't see the bar position in your hands at the top. Are you fulling gripping it with your thumbs? If so, that might be part of the issue. You might be driving it back as you drive your elbows up. If you just let the bar land on your shoulders and hands, it might not travel back as far. Try a hook grip.

A question for the forum: I find that I have to push my shoulders forward to rack the bar. Is this expected? If I hold my shoulders back, the bar would be on my clavicles. I need to video this to see what's really going on in my case. But the OP seems to have his shoulders pulled back in rack position. Is this right? I don't think it would feel very good. . . . Either way, it's hard to tell from the video.