Exercise Technique—A Simple Approach to Teaching the Power Clean in a Group Environment

The complexities involved in teaching the Olympic-style lifts extend beyond the strength and conditioning professional’s knowledge of the lift; they include the limitations of the lifter with regard to kinesthetic awareness, mobility, and neuromuscular coordination, to mention a few. Many strength and conditioning professionals encounter scenarios where they have to teach a group the clean progression or other variations. This can be a problematic situation because each individual in the group will have a unique set of physical constraints. For example, one may not appreciate what it means to arch their back, another might not be able to keep their shoulders retracted, etc. Typically, the time strength and conditioning professionals have with their lifters is limited, but yet they have to properly teach them the first pull, transition, second pull, catch, and the appropriate progressions.

Oftentimes this will result in the strength and conditioning professional running out of time or rushing through the steps so quickly that the lifters do not learn or consolidate the movements thoroughly. Often strength and conditioning professionals are taught the science and major teaching points of the Olympic-style lifting progressions but the art of teaching said progressions is neglected. The art of coaching is what happens when you have the right mentor, enough personal experience, and creativity to accomplish a task.

This article originally appeared in TSAC Report, the NSCA’s quarterly, online-only publication geared toward the training of tactical athletes, operators, and facilitators. It provides research-based articles, performance drills, and conditioning techniques for operational, tactical athletes. The TSAC Report is only available for NSCA Members. Read more articles from TSAC Report