Jerk & Push Press: Push the Bar Back
This is a perfect example of how the arm mechanics can make or break a push press, which also translates into jerks to a large degree.
The reason she’s able to grind through and make this is that she immediately pushes the bar back off the shoulders and spreads the elbows to bring them under the bar.
This keeps the bar above the body instead of in front of it, and allows the arms to push it into position even as momentum from the legs drops off.
More often, lifters allow the bar to move forward off the shoulders, and keep the elbows forward and inward.
That initial motion and arm position guarantees failure with any real resistance, and in the jerk, at best means instability, and more likely a pressout or a complete miss.
Imagine pushing the bar back along the line of the forearms in the rack position, and spreading the elbows as you push.
The reason she’s able to grind through and make this is that she immediately pushes the bar back off the shoulders and spreads the elbows to bring them under the bar.
This keeps the bar above the body instead of in front of it, and allows the arms to push it into position even as momentum from the legs drops off.
More often, lifters allow the bar to move forward off the shoulders, and keep the elbows forward and inward.
That initial motion and arm position guarantees failure with any real resistance, and in the jerk, at best means instability, and more likely a pressout or a complete miss.
Imagine pushing the bar back along the line of the forearms in the rack position, and spreading the elbows as you push.
