Maximizing the Upward Thrust During the Jerk

As in the explosion in the pull, it is important that the lifter achieve an explosive thrust during the jerk. Several factors influence the generation of such a thrust. One factor is leg strength. All other things being equal, the lifter with stronger legs will be able to drive the bar higher than a lifter with weaker legs. A second factor in generating upward thrust is the lifter’s ability to reverse the direction of the downward motion of the bar during the dip; the more rapidly and powerfully the lifter is able to do this, the more force he or she will be able to generate during the upward thrust. A third major factor which influences the height to which the bar will rise is the elasticity of the bar itself. A more elastic (springy) bar can be used by the lifter to generate greater height in the thrust.

Interestingly, the one factor that will not help the lifter to generate greater jerk drive is to use the arms during the drive. Using arms will not generate significant additional upward thrust to the bar but, rather, will keep the lifter fixed against the platform when he or she should be splitting under the bar. Alternatively, it will tend to push the lifter backward and away from the bar, which will lead to the lifter’s being backward and leaning back when the bar arrives at arms length a disaster.

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