Jerk position

[Tyson Wright]

Before the dip/drive in the jerk, should your butt be "on" and twist your feet into the floor to create stability? I've heard of other cues similar to this for squatting and midline stability and wondered if it applies to the jerk as well. My lower back tends to get smoked when I do heavy jerks and I'm guessing one issue is I'm overextending. Thanks!

[Greg Everett]

Try it. You definitely don't want to be hyperextended, but activating the glutes to prevent that during a jerk dip/drive is tough. I would focus more on ab tension as a counter to lumbar hyperextension. Because your feet will be moving and the CoP will be shifting during the movement, you may find it impossible to really do the foot twisting thing.

[Tyson Wright]

I'll try it out. As far as the dip/drive goes, do you think this will help it be more efficient? On the down portion of the dip, my knees track out over my feet. On the drive up though, my knees have a tendency to go in.

[Greg Everett]

I thnk trying to twist will be tough and probably not help much. You may be better off just trying to push straight out to the sides w the feet.

Also, make sure you're not simply dipping too deep - if you get too deep, everything will collapse no matter what tricks you employ.