Out of Step Barbell Technique #1 - Snatch Start Position

QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS ADDRESSED... COMMENT- "If you are starting with the bar up against your shins you are losing strength and losing efficiency... That is not true. I don't know what point is trying to be made here other than 'a deadlift position is not a snatch position,' but saying that the bar touching the shins is bad is just plain wrong." ANSWER- What we have found is that for most peoples body proportions, starting in too close to the bar is detrimental because of the position it puts them in relative to their shoulder/barbell angle. As stated in the video, the bar should be set up in a way that the angle of the shoulder down to the bar is one straight line. By doing that, you are giving yourself room to sweep backwards, as opposed to having to move out around the knees. The video does not state that being against the shins makes you lose strength and efficiency, it states that moving out around the knees makes you lose strength and efficiency. This is a very simple mechanical fact. Some people do start with the bar touching them and are able to sweep back as they stand up, but it is all relative to their body proportions. I'm sorry if the video painted a picture that this is always incorrect. The reason for addressing this issue in the video is because it seems prevalent (at least in our general area) for CrossFit gyms to teach people to snatch by being out over the bar. We have lots of CrossFitter's drop in to our gym to work on Weightlifting, and this is a resounding theme that we see. While trying to keep the video short, concise, and easy to follow, we decided to put a little tip out there that seems to help most relative beginners- Without delving too deep into the science behind body mechanics and the difference of people's proportions. Thank you, though, because this comment will help us try to be more thorough in our future videos, and we will make sure to more clearly acknowledge points like, "This is not an absolute truth, but an issue that we have seen come through our gym a lot."