How to Squat like an Olympic Weightlifter
How do you squat like an Olympic weightlifter?
The squat is an important motion in Olympic lifting. Your squat position controls how you support and catch the weight you just pulled from the floor. The catch of a clean or snatch can be made easier and safer by just changing the angles of your hip, knees, and ankles.
In an Olympic squat you want to do one thing: SQUAT! A squat is the bending of your legs not your back. In the Olympic squat you bend your legs to reach the ball, you don't lean forward. Leaning forward puts your body in an unnatural, un-functional position that can not hold or control weight.
When trying to learn the Olympic squat, use it where ever you go. You only learn things by doing them, not just using them when you are Olympic lifting. Olympic squatting is more functional and produces the power and strength needed for Olympic Lifting. Use the squat in your workouts.
In the Olympic Squat you want to remember to keep your chest up, butt down, and your knees over or past your toes. Hold this position for the whole squat and not just the bottom. A major factor here is core strength. Keep you core tight.
If you have any questions or comments use the comments section of this blog and we will get to you right away.
Squat like an Olympic Weightlifter
The squat is an important motion in Olympic lifting. Your squat position controls how you support and catch the weight you just pulled from the floor. The catch of a clean or snatch can be made easier and safer by just changing the angles of your hip, knees, and ankles.
In an Olympic squat you want to do one thing: SQUAT! A squat is the bending of your legs not your back. In the Olympic squat you bend your legs to reach the ball, you don't lean forward. Leaning forward puts your body in an unnatural, un-functional position that can not hold or control weight.
When trying to learn the Olympic squat, use it where ever you go. You only learn things by doing them, not just using them when you are Olympic lifting. Olympic squatting is more functional and produces the power and strength needed for Olympic Lifting. Use the squat in your workouts.
If you have any questions or comments use the comments section of this blog and we will get to you right away.
Squat like an Olympic Weightlifter
Posted by CrossFit Chesapeake at 1/27/2009 12:41 AM 
Categories: Snatch, Clean and Jerk, Squat, Technique
Categories: Snatch, Clean and Jerk, Squat, Technique
That's a great video to see the difference between the two squats. Thank you for posting it. I've been using a power squat all the time because I can squat more that way- and honestly I'm too proud to adjust my technique and drop the weight. Obviously, the Olympic squat is more functional if I want to increase my weight in the Oly lifts. Do you recommend working on the form of the Oly squat and occasionally doing the power squat for strength work- or should I just suck it up and focus solely on the Oly squat?
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If you want to focus on the Olympic lifts, your focus should be on the Olympic squat. Sorry to say you will have to lighten the weight but, once you become familiar with the Olympic squat your lifts will return to normal. Even when working on strength you want o focus on the Olympic squat because you will be in that position for a heavy clean or snatch. Just like the lifts you need to get your muscles used to doing these squats so it becomes second nature. Cody
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Great video guys! Lookin forward to the seminar in may.
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Would it still be considered an olympic squat if my heels are between 12- 16in apart? My heels are usually 14-15in apart and toes face 15- 30 degrees outward. Is this considered an olympic suat, and my hips come foreward, and bar is restging high.
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Yes, if the bar is high and the hips are forward the back is more towards perpendicular to the floor (straight up and down)you are highbar or olympic squating. the key is to get your butt to the floor (not litterally) but alot closer than those power squating. I personally prefer my lifters to have wider feet but but make up dictates what we can do. thanks for the question I hope we've helped.
Coach
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Any comments about stance width?
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Hey Linds,
Sorry for the late reply. You feet should be about shoulder width apart, with your toes pointing out slightly.
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