What is a Clean (AKA Squat Clean or Full Clean)? | Olympic Weightlifting Technique
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What is a clean? How is it different from a power clean or hang clean? What is a squat clean? What is a full clean? Let’s dive in, and for a demonstration with explanation, watch the included (and short) video near the end of this article.
the lift starts with the bar on the floor (since “hang” is not present).
No “Hang”
We begin by looking at the words present or - in this case - not present in the name of the lift.
The word “hang” is not present, so the clean doesn’t start with the barbell hanging in the hands. Instead - by default - the lift starts with the bar sitting on the floor.
the lift is received in a full depth front squat (since “power” and “split” are not present).
No “Power” or “Split”
The words “power” and “split” are also absent, so the lift will not be received in the power position (i.e., a partial depth front squat), nor will it be received in the split position (i.e., with one foot in front of the torso and one foot behind the torso). As a result, and again by default, this means the lift will be received in a full depth front squat.
The fact that the clean is received in a full depth front squat is why the lift is also sometimes referred to as a full clean or a squat clean.
So . . . What IS a Clean?
Thus, a clean is a lift wherein the bar starts on the floor and is then accelerated upward, imparting enough momentum to the bar that the bar continues upward, whereupon it is then racked (AKA “caught” or “received”) in a full depth front squat position before it is then stood up.
As always, we hope this helps you get stronger and live better.
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Stop Using Your Hands to Catch Your Cleans!
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This is the correct way to rack a clean.
(A Blast from the Past article originally posted on 01/22/21)
The clean is racked (i.e., caught or received) on the shoulders. Not in the hands.
Figure 1: This is the correct way to rack a clean.
When you rack a clean, you do so by rapidly punching your elbows forward and up so that the barbell can sit on the shelf provided by your delts (Figure 1). This shelf is extremely strong, stable, and it can support a lot of weight - more than you can clean, in fact.
On the other hand - or rather, hands - if you receive your cleans by supporting the bar in your hands (Figure 2), your poor, tiny, bent wrists will hate you for it, and it’s possible that your collarbones will too.
Figure 2: Don’t rack your cleans like this. Your wrists will despise you.
To rack the bar properly, jam the elbows forward and up and receive the bar with a loose grip - be sure to let the thumb slip out of the hook grip as you punch the elbows forward.
Figure 3: Elbows forward and up and a loose grip on the bar
It’s possible that your pinky finger (maybe even your ring finger) will slip off the bar during the catch, and while this is not ideal (especially if you need to jerk the barbell overhead yet), it’s not the end of the world. Do whatever you need to do with your grip to permit the receiving of the bar on your shoulders.
Your wrists will not be straight when you catch a clean, and that’s perfectly fine. Whether a lifter receives the bar correctly on the shoulders or not, the wrists will be bent backwards in extension, but a bar caught on the shoulders (with elbows forward and up) is supported by the shoulders, so the wrists - although bent - do not take any of the load. A bar caught with low elbows, however, cannot be successfully supported by the shoulders and is instead supported on bent - and usually painful - wrists.
Tommy doesn’t even need hands to rack his cleans. (We do NOT recommend trying this at home, folks)
Be kind to your wrists and commit to catching your cleans on your shoulders. You’ll enjoy the lift far more when your wrists aren’t screaming at you.
As always, we hope this helps you get stronger and live better.
(Some links may be affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, Testify earns from qualifying purchases.)
If you found this helpful, you’ll love our weekly email. It’s got useful videos, articles, and training tips just like the one in this article. Sign up below, and of course, if you don’t love it, you can unsubscribe at any time.
At Testify, we offer small group training, private coaching (in-person or remotely via Zoom), online coaching, and form checks. Interested in getting stronger, looking better, and having more energy?
Stop Using Your Hands to Catch Your Cleans!
/The clean is racked (i.e., caught or received) on the shoulders. Not in the hands.
Figure 1: This is the correct way to rack a clean.
When you rack a clean, you do so by rapidly punching your elbows forward and up so that the barbell can sit on the shelf provided by your delts (Figure 1). This shelf is extremely strong, stable, and it can support a lot of weight - more than you can clean, in fact.
On the other hand - or rather, hands - if you receive your cleans by supporting the bar in your hands (Figure 2), your poor, tiny, bent wrists will hate you for it, and it’s possible that your collarbones will too.
Figure 2: Don’t rack your cleans like this. Your wrists will despise you.
To rack the bar properly, jam the elbows forward and up and receive the bar with a loose grip - be sure to let the thumb slip out of the hook grip as you punch the elbows forward.
Figure 3: Elbows forward and up and a loose grip on the bar
It’s possible that your pinky finger (maybe even your ring finger) will slip off the bar during the catch, and while this is not ideal (especially if you need to jerk the barbell overhead yet), it’s not the end of the world. Do whatever you need to do with your grip to permit the receiving of the bar on your shoulders.
Your wrists will not be straight when you catch a clean, and that’s perfectly fine. Whether a lifter receives the bar correctly on the shoulders or not, the wrists will be bent backwards in extension, but a bar caught on the shoulders (with elbows forward and up) is supported by the shoulders, so the wrists - although bent - do not take any of the load. A bar caught with low elbows, however, cannot be successfully supported by the shoulders and is instead supported on bent - and usually painful - wrists.
Tommy doesn’t even need hands to rack his cleans. (We do NOT recommend trying this at home, folks)
Be kind to your wrists and commit to catching your cleans on your shoulders. You’ll enjoy the lift far more when your wrists aren’t screaming at you.
As always, we hope this helps you get stronger and live better.
(Some links may be affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, Testify earns from qualifying purchases.)