Retrospection

After reviewing my experience in Chicago and watching the various videos I have come up with a "To Do" list of things I feel I need to work on in order to improve my kettlebell sport performance. Some things are lift specific, some will reflect changes in my approach to training, and I have also formulated new goals.

My GS "To Do List"

Jerk:

1. I need to continue working on the trajectory of my ascent. Although this has improved significantly, I continue to launch the bells laterally and over rotate my hands which represents an energy leak. I would like to work on rotating the bells and my hands laterally in the rack which will allow me to move them straight overhead. This is demonstrated here by Marty Farrell.

2. I need to become quicker/more explosive on my first dip. This difference in quickness is easily visible when looking at my jerks compared to Eric St-Onge on the platform next to me below.

Snatch:

1.I need to perfect my snatch drop. My long sets come to failure due to grip issues. A couple technique related issues I need to perfect are getting into the finger lock before the bell gets below shoulder level (as done so well by Eric St-Onge below) and I need to cast the bell out a bit farther and follow it with my body (also demonstrated by Eric). This allows the bell to follow a nice trajectory instead of jerking the arm at the bottom of the descent which places a tremendous strain on the grip.

Training:

1. I need to start training the jerk and snatch on the same day in order to be better prepared for competition days.

2. I need to train past my goal numbers. As Marty Farrell said, "on the platform you will only hit 90-95% of your training numbers". This is so true and it played out over and over again in Chicago. The take home message is to train smartly.

Goals:

1. CMS ranking by November, 7th, 2009.