What is a Snatch (AKA Squat Snatch or Full Snatch)? | Olympic Weightlifting Technique
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What is a snatch? How is it different from a power snatch or hang snatch? What is a squat snatch? What is a full snatch? Let’s dive in, and for a demonstration with explanation, watch the short video at the end of this article.
FIGURE 1: 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 snatch doesn’t start with the barbell hanging in the hands and instead - by default - starts with the bar sitting on the floor.
No “Power” or “Split”
The words “power” and “split” are also absent, so the lift will not be received overhead in the power position (i.e., a partial depth overhead 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 overhead squat.
figure 2: THE LIFT IS RECEIVED IN A FULL DEPTH overhead SQUAT (SINCE “POWER” AND “SPLIT” ARE NOT PRESENT).
The fact that the snatch is received in a full depth overhead squat is why the lift is also sometimes referred to as a full snatch or a squat snatch.
So . . . What IS a Snatch?
Thus, a snatch 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 locked out overhead (AKA “received,” “racked,” or “caught”) in a full depth overhead squat position before it is then stood up.
As always, we hope this helps you get stronger and live better.
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