Hi guys. Sorry if this topic's been beaten to death, but I wanna know this community's opinion on the merits and de-merits of the 2 starting positions for the clean: high hips (like what Rip proposes, like a deadlift) vs. the traditional low hips.
In my experience, the high hips starting position definitely produced greater bar elevation. However, I can't really feel the bar "pop" off of my mid thigh (more like softly brushing) after the 2nd pull, and I sometimes pull the bar out in an arc in front of me. So it's probably a form issue.
On the other hand, the traditional starting position produced a better "pop" and a slightly straighter bar path after the 2nd pull, but the bar didn't travel as high.
As a side note, when I extend in the 2nd pull, I try to rise up to my toes and "guide" the bar upward using my elbows (like Torokhtiy's drill: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hrxex6ZBEAw&t=91s). Here's my video trying both styles: https://youtu.be/ZLi3lD99bkQ. My form likely sucks and the weight is probably too light, so sorry
And people may call it phenomenology, but there's gotta be a strong reason why many top weightlifters and WL coaches start with low hips and with the bar over where the big toe meets the foot (Max Aita, Greg Everett, Glenn Pendlay, etc.), and I think the reason is not because it "feels more comfortable." At the same time though, I haven't heard a strong argument against a vertical bar path that Rip teaches, aside from my experience with having a less popping effect..
Any insight is greatly appreciated!
In my experience, the high hips starting position definitely produced greater bar elevation. However, I can't really feel the bar "pop" off of my mid thigh (more like softly brushing) after the 2nd pull, and I sometimes pull the bar out in an arc in front of me. So it's probably a form issue.
On the other hand, the traditional starting position produced a better "pop" and a slightly straighter bar path after the 2nd pull, but the bar didn't travel as high.
As a side note, when I extend in the 2nd pull, I try to rise up to my toes and "guide" the bar upward using my elbows (like Torokhtiy's drill: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hrxex6ZBEAw&t=91s). Here's my video trying both styles: https://youtu.be/ZLi3lD99bkQ. My form likely sucks and the weight is probably too light, so sorry

And people may call it phenomenology, but there's gotta be a strong reason why many top weightlifters and WL coaches start with low hips and with the bar over where the big toe meets the foot (Max Aita, Greg Everett, Glenn Pendlay, etc.), and I think the reason is not because it "feels more comfortable." At the same time though, I haven't heard a strong argument against a vertical bar path that Rip teaches, aside from my experience with having a less popping effect..
Any insight is greatly appreciated!
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