A Case Against High Pulls

A Case Against High Pulls

Today I opened and read an article from an old binder from a Division I University  from Former U.S. super heavyweight champion Shane Hamman performing a high pull in training. His opinion was that the high pull is worthless and wanted to let everyone know why. In the U.S since 2007 the high pull was not really used. Hamman (2008) explained that the only thing that matters is how fast you can change positions and get under the bar into the receiving position.

I agree with his statement that the high pull is not a bend of the wrist and how fast you can completely extend on your toes and reach full extended triple extension. Out of interviews with Europeans, Bulgarians, Russians, and Chinese competitors in strength training he said everyone except the Europeans trained tremendous back squats to improve their power clean and snatch & full clean from power and full snatch from power.

A common fact is that both hang snatch from power and hang clean are the power movements that generate the most amount of force development if implemented correctly.

So does this mean skipping load and volume and intensity on Clean Pulls and Snatch Pulls from floor and instead directing the attention to quick powerful movements from the power position?

In my opinion merely, with Hammonds (2008) explanation of the importance of quickness to change positions when the bar leaves the ground, tendon elasticity and development of full body calisthenics, gymnastics, ballistic stretching, and plyometrics would improve RFD (rapid force development.

Tip: to make it even better include this technique and still keep your trap bar deadlifts, snatch grip deadlifts, and clean grip deadlifts, & Box deadlifts in the core of your prescription. Stressing the importance of the receiving position with limited time, the theory of European olympic back squat training could be replaced by front squats regularly to improve power movement development.