Snatch (weightlifting)
Encyclopedia
The snatch is one of the two olympic weightlifting events (the other being the clean and jerk
).
The essence of the event is to lift a barbell
from the platform to locked arms overhead in a smooth continuous movement. The barbell is pulled as high as the lifter can manage (typically to mid chest height) (the pull) at which point the barbell is flipped overhead. With relatively light weights (as in the "power snatch") locking of the arms may not require rebending the knees. However, as performed in contests, the weight is always heavy enough to demand that the lifter receive the bar in a squatting position
, while at the same time flipping the weight so it moves in an arc directly overhead to locked arms (the quick drop). When the lifter is secure in this position, he rises (overhead squat), completing the lift.
The lift requires not only great strength, but mastery of technical skills, a high degree of shoulder flexibility, excellent balance, and speed. However, power and strength do play an important role in differentiating athletes in competition, particularly at advanced levels, where the majority of competitors have mastered the technical aspects of the lift.
It is executed in a single movement. However, for coaching purposes, it is divided into two phases.
This lift requires coordination, torso (core) stability, and explosive power of the legs to generate the upward momentum required to snatch hundreds of pounds overhead. Tremendous speed is required to get underneath the bar after the second pull.
of Iran
, who snatched 214 kilograms (471.8 lb) in the 2011 World Weightlifting Championships
, held in Paris
. The previous record of 216 kilograms (476.2 lb) belongs to Antonio Krastev
from Bulgaria
, but after the weight classes were reshuffled, this older record is no longer recognized by the IWF.
In the 2011 European Weightlifting Championships
in Kazan
, Tatiana Kashirina
of Russia
set the women's world record for snatch of 146 kilograms (321.9 lb).
Clean and jerk
The clean and jerk is one of the two Olympic weightlifting events .The clean portion of the lift refers to the lifter explosively pulling the weight from the floor to a racked position across deltoids and clavicles...
).
The essence of the event is to lift a barbell
Barbell
A barbell is a piece of exercise equipment used in weight training, weightlifting and powerlifting. Barbells range in length from to although bars above 7' in length are used primarily by powerlifters and aren't commonplace...
from the platform to locked arms overhead in a smooth continuous movement. The barbell is pulled as high as the lifter can manage (typically to mid chest height) (the pull) at which point the barbell is flipped overhead. With relatively light weights (as in the "power snatch") locking of the arms may not require rebending the knees. However, as performed in contests, the weight is always heavy enough to demand that the lifter receive the bar in a squatting position
Squatting position
Squatting is a posture where the weight of the body is on the feet but the knees are bent either fully or partially . In contrast, sitting, involves taking the weight of the body, at least in part, on the buttocks against the ground or a horizontal object such as a chair seat...
, while at the same time flipping the weight so it moves in an arc directly overhead to locked arms (the quick drop). When the lifter is secure in this position, he rises (overhead squat), completing the lift.
The lift requires not only great strength, but mastery of technical skills, a high degree of shoulder flexibility, excellent balance, and speed. However, power and strength do play an important role in differentiating athletes in competition, particularly at advanced levels, where the majority of competitors have mastered the technical aspects of the lift.
It is executed in a single movement. However, for coaching purposes, it is divided into two phases.
- Approach the bar and with back straight, crouch low and grasp the bar with it positioned over the balls of your feet. Legs should be bent with the buttocks close to the heels. Any kind of grip may be used, however it is standard to use a wide grip, with the hands near the ends of the bar. A hook gripHook gripHook grip in weightlifting defines the method in which an athlete grips the Barbell, which is first gripped with the thumb, then the remaining fingers grip both the thumb and the Barbell. It can be used in multiple weightlifting events Hook grip in weightlifting defines the method in which an...
is normally used in competition. The chest should be puffed out and the shoulders slightly forward of the bar. - Begin lifting. The hips, shoulders and bar should move at the same pace. Push from the toes and slowly transition the weight into the mid-foot as you lift. The angle of the torso relative to the ground should remain constant.
- Keep the bar close to your legs as you lift - this ensures proper alignment of the body. The bar should brush your legs a little on the way up.
- When the weight is at mid-thigh, accelerate the bar upward by powerfully extending the knees and hips (and to some degree the ankles) until the body is fully erect. At the same time, shrug the shoulders. This part of the lift is known as the 'scoop' or 'second pull'. Often, a lifter will bend the knees slightly and bring their torso to vertical before the second pull. This is called the 'double knee bend' style of lifting.
- At the apex of the bar's height, pull your body underneath the bar, catching it with locked arms overhead while squatting. This part of the motion requires a developed sense of timing and coordination, and is the crux of the entire lift.
- Lock your arms with the weight overhead and stand up from the squat position.
This lift requires coordination, torso (core) stability, and explosive power of the legs to generate the upward momentum required to snatch hundreds of pounds overhead. Tremendous speed is required to get underneath the bar after the second pull.
World records
The current record holder is Behdad SalimiBehdad Salimi
Behdad Salimi Kordasiabi is an Iranian weightlifter in the +105 kg category. Salimi currently holds the world record in the snatch with 214 kg in his weight class....
of Iran
Iran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
, who snatched 214 kilograms (471.8 lb) in the 2011 World Weightlifting Championships
2011 World Weightlifting Championships
The 2011 World Weightlifting Championships were held at Disneyland Paris in Paris, France. The event took place from November 5 to 13, 2011.-Men:-Women:- Medal table :Ranking by Big medals...
, held in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
. The previous record of 216 kilograms (476.2 lb) belongs to Antonio Krastev
Antonio Krastev
Antonio Krastev is a former Bulgarian super heavyweight weightlifter who is best known for lifting the heaviest snatch ever in IWF competition at 216 kg, although this record is no longer official due to the restructuring of the weight classes...
from Bulgaria
Bulgaria
Bulgaria , officially the Republic of Bulgaria , is a parliamentary democracy within a unitary constitutional republic in Southeast Europe. The country borders Romania to the north, Serbia and Macedonia to the west, Greece and Turkey to the south, as well as the Black Sea to the east...
, but after the weight classes were reshuffled, this older record is no longer recognized by the IWF.
In the 2011 European Weightlifting Championships
2011 European Weightlifting Championships
The 2011 European Weightlifting Championships was held in Kazan, Russia from 11 April to 17 April 2011. It was the 90th edition of the event, which was first staged in 1896.-Schedule:MONDAY 11, APRIL*10.00-11.30 Women / 48 kg / Group B...
in Kazan
Kazan
Kazan is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Tatarstan, Russia. With a population of 1,143,546 , it is the eighth most populous city in Russia. Kazan lies at the confluence of the Volga and Kazanka Rivers in European Russia. In April 2009, the Russian Patent Office granted Kazan the...
, Tatiana Kashirina
Tatiana Kashirina
Tatiana Kashirina is a Russian weightlifting champion. She is the current world champion of the +75 kg category.-References:*...
of Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
set the women's world record for snatch of 146 kilograms (321.9 lb).
See also
- Clean and jerkClean and jerkThe clean and jerk is one of the two Olympic weightlifting events .The clean portion of the lift refers to the lifter explosively pulling the weight from the floor to a racked position across deltoids and clavicles...
- Clean and pressClean and pressThe clean and press is a weight training exercise, and was part of the sport of weightlifting in the Olympics until 1972. It was removed from Olympic weightlifting due to difficulties in judging proper technique....
, Olympic weightlifting event until 1972. - List of World records in weightlifting