Just getting started with hang cleans, tips? (vid inside)

[Wombl]

Hey guys, I've been powerlifting on and off for the last 5 years (more off than on over the last year and a half), but I've decided to try and learn the olympic lifts for a bit of variation, and to see how good I can get at them. I only started doing snatches and C&J about a month ago, and I've just started trying hang cleans to improve my pull and speed under the bar.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_nSJcGGFTg

From the video, I think I need to work on bringing the hips forward before I shrug, and finishing the pull before breaking the elbows. Would you guys agree with this? Also, I've noticed I seem to jump backward by a couple of inches on the pull, which puts me off balance a bit when I try to catch the weight. Should my feet be moving forwards or backwards, or not at all?

Any advice would be awesome - I'm determined to try to get the technique correct from the start, and not fall in to bad habits!

[sirwazzles]

Form looks great to me. There are little things, like bending the knees a little more and maybe not leaning forward so much... but then again, maybe what you did is proper form. I learned how to do hangcleans from crappy football coaches, so I don't really know what "perfect" form is really. But like I said, you obviously have it down for the most part. If you do have to fix anything, it won't be much.

[raffiki]

With hang cleans, above knee, you shouldn't be bending your knees much. It looks good, just make sure you feel a stretch in your hammies.

You are bending your arms to soon, but that is a matter of focus really.

This is about the best site in the world to see different positions. Find a lifter that has a similar build to you, and look at their position when the bar is at their knees.

http://www.sportexpert.biz/wl/technique.htm

[Wombl]

Thanks for the replies, I'll try to reduce the knee bend next time - you're right, I don't think I was feeling much of a stretch in my hamstrings. That site looks very useful, excellent linkage! :)