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February 27, 2006
The GS Kettlebell Snatch and a Shortcut to Learning It
Alexander Falameyev is a former USSR weightlifting record holder and a prominent scientist. He authored the chapter on girevoy sport in Prof. Alexey Medvedev's authoritative weightlifting textbook.
Falameyev recommends working up to one arm kettlebell lifts by backing up the working hand with the other hand. Here is how it is done for the snatch. Take an overgrip of the kettlebell handle with your stronger—let’s say right—hand. Fortify your right by taking an undergrip around it and pressing down hard with your left. Now practice swinging the bell between your legs and lifting it overhead while holding it tight.
The next step is to learn fixing the kettlebell overhead with one arm. The left hand moves away when the right one has complete control. As you are improving, help less and less with your left and eventually let go with it completely.
Do this even without a kettlebell and you will get an insight into the GS snatch technique. The second hand will restrict your movement and will force you to lift in an arc towards your right shoulder rather than straight up. It will make you turn your hips clockwise. It will keep your arm close to your ear and will insist that the kettlebell rolls around the forearm rather than flips over the fist.
Russian kettlebell power to you!
Posted by james at February 27, 2006 8:17 AM