Assessing the Technical Preparedness of Weightlifters
Nikolai LI, PhD, Almaty
Olymp:2-3(47-48): 2016
Translated by Andrew Charniga Jr.
www.sportivnypress.com
Perfectioning technique is one of the most important problems in the preparation of weightlifters. The solution to this problem is furthered by clear – cut precise and objective criteria which are representative of the fundamentals of technique evaluation (V.M. Diachkov, 1967).
World’s strongest man struggles to stand with 250 kg. Charniga photo.
A review of the special literature indicates there are varying viewpoints as to which criteria are best to assess a weightlifter’s mastery of technique. Here are some of these criteria:
/ results in the: special – assistance exercises, general physical, the competition exercises and the inter – correlation between them;
/ mathematical criteria which includes the results in one or the competition total and individual indices of the athlete’s physical and functional development;
/ the static forces the weightlifter generates in fundamental postures relative to the dynamic forces the athlete produces in the same positions during lifting;
/ assessment of the effectiveness and economy of movement according to barbell trajectory, such as height of lifting and barbell fixation;
/ the optimum rhythm of the exercises;
/ effectiveness of utilizing the elasticity of the bar;
/ barbell speed and the dynamics of the variation of speed in the different phases of the movements.
Coaches typically determine the effectiveness of the technique of the snatch and the clean and jerk relative to results in the back squat. A weightlifter is considered to have good technique if his percentage realization of back squat results is 60 – 62% for the snatch and 80 – 82% for the clean and jerk. We were able to raise these figures to up to 70% for the snatch and up to 86% and higher for the clean and jerk using results in five special – assistance exercises (relative to their respective results in the competition exercises).
Two – time Olympic champion KIM cleaning 150 kg. Charniga photo.
The results of our research produced a table of potential results in the snatch and the clean and jerk based on the maximum back squat (table 1). We developed another table of values to assess effectiveness of technique in the snatch and the clean and jerk relative to the maximum back squat; which in its turn, compares these figures from a traditional a system of training with our own innovative system of training weightlifters (tables 2 & 3). This allows one to assess the level of a sportsman’s technical preparedness from the standpoint a realization of his physical condition.
The tables includes the following parameters: best results in the back squat relative to best snatch and clean and jerk results, assessed as poor, satisfactory, good and excellent. From the tables, it is obvious the values considered optimum in a traditional system are assessed as poor and satisfactory according to our scale.
Table 1. Potential results in snatch and the clean and jerk utilizing traditional and innovative methods; relative to results in the back squat.
| BS | T/S 58-62% | I/S 67-75% | T/J 80-82% | I/J 87-90% |
| 150 | 87 – 93 | 100.5 – 112.5 | 120 – 123 | 122.5 – 130 |
| 160 | 92.8 – 99.2 | 107.2 – 120 | 128 – 131.2 | 139.2 – 144 |
| 170 | 98.6 – 105.4 | 113.9 – 127.5 | 136 – 139.4 | 147.9 – 153 |
| 180 | 104.4 – 111.6 | 120.6 – 135 | 144 – 147.6 | 165.6 162 |
| 190 | 110.2 – 117.8 | 127.3 – 142.5 | 152 – 155.8 | 165.3 – 171 |
| 200 | 116 – 124 | 134 – 150 | 160 – 164 | 174 – 180 |
| 210 | 121.8 – 130.2 | 140.7 – 157.5 | 168 – 172.2 | 182.7 – 189 |
| 220 | 127.6 – 136.4 | 147.4 – 165 | 176 – 180.4 | 191.4 – 198 |
| 230 | 133.4 – 142.6 | 154.1 – 172.5 | 184 – 188.6 | 200 – 207 |
| 240 | 139.2 – 148.8 | 160.8 – 180 | 192 – 196.8 | 208.8 – 216 |
| 250 | 145 – 155 | 167.5 – 187.5 | 200 – 205 | 217.5 – 225 |
| 260 | 150.8 – 161.2 | 174.2 – 195 | 208 – 213.2 | 226.2 – 234 |
Key to table 1. BS – maximum back squat; T/S – Traditional training system potential snatch; I/S – Innovative training system potential snatch; T/J – Traditional training system potential jerk; I/J Innovative training system potential.
Tables 3 & 4. Assessment tables for determining a weightlifter’s technical efficiency
| BS | S | P | SA | G | EX |
| 55 – 59% | 60 – 65% | 66 – 70% | 71%& above |
| BS | J | P | SA | G | EX |
| Up to 76%% | 77 – 80% | 81 – 85% | 86% & above |
Key to tables 3 &4. BS – maximum back squat; S – best snatch; J – best clean and jerk; P – poor; SA – satisfactory; G – good; Ex – Excellent