When to catch in the squat position

[Anton Emery]

Hi Folks,

I have a question about when to catch in the squat position. I train at Crossfit Portland and have decided to work exclusively on my Olifting so i can make some steady improvements. As a beginner, the weights are light and my receiving has just been done in the power position. Is that fine for now, and should i worry about catching in the squat position later on as the weights get heavier? Or do beginners usually do drills from the start to practicing catching in the bottom position?


thanks,


Anton

[Brian DeGennaro]

The weight of the bar ought to drive you into the squat when it's heavy enough. Make sure to keep up the practice of meeting the bar wherever it is. A big mistake people make is rushing into the bottom without meeting the bar and this will create a big crash. In my warmups I'll receive weights overhead with almost no knee bend but then ride them down into a full squat just to get the movement in.

Meet the bar and then ride it down.