USA WEIGHTLIFTING LEVEL 1 QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
How do you assess the physical Readiness of an athlete for lifting? - Answers- The
overhead squat, the front squat, the snatch deadlift, and military press
Can any athlete begin weight training? - Answers- No, not all athletes can begin
weightlifting progressions from day one. An assessment should be done by the coach to
grasp a general idea of what the athlete's current ability
What do you do when an athlete (new or experienced) has pain present with the
movements or prior injury history ? - Answers- Refer the athlete to a medical
professional such as an MD or physical therapist
Why teach and evaluate the front squat? - Answers- To make sure the athlete has the
flexibility of the shoulders, wrists, torso and hips to maintain the correct "racked"
position used in clean progressions.
Why evaluate the overhead squat? - Answers- To make sure the athlete has the
flexibility of the shoulders, torso and hips to maintain the overhead squat position that is
used in snatch progressions.
Why evaluate the military press? - Answers- To make sure the athlete has the flexibility
to assume the correct overhead position and movement pattern of the jerk.
True or False, the grip on a snatch deadlift is the same grip as overhead squat? -
Answers- True - On a snatch deadlift, the athlete should use the same grip as overhead
squat.
True or False, the lower back is arched on a snatch deadlift? - Answers- True - The
lower back is arched, torso stays upright
What approach do we use when addressing movement problems uncovered in the
assessments? - Answers- Ground-up approach
What are the four most basic and most efficient positions when lifting a weight from the
floor overhead? - Answers- 1. Power position 2. (Explosive)Extension 3. Catch 4.
Recovery
True or False, there are times during the Snatch, Clean, and Jerk where an athlete's
feet will leave the ground as a result of explosive power production? - Answers- True -
There are times during the Snatch, Clean, and Jerk where one's feet will leave the
ground as a result of explosive power production, but lifters should be taught to get their
feet back on the ground immediately.
, Name the position: The athletes prepare to lift the bar from the platform. - Answers- The
start position
Power Position - Answers- Bring the bar into contact with the upper thighs (Clean), or
hips (Snatch)
Power Position - Answers- Bring the bar into contact with the upper thighs (Clean), or
hips (Snatch)
Explosive Extension - Answers- The legs punch powerfully against the floor, driving the
body and the bar up, causing the lifter to rise onto the toes and momentarily leave the
ground. Reposition feet upon landing to receive the bar on the shoulders or overhead.
Decent under the barbell - Answers- The athlete bends the legs to jump under the bar.
To facilitate this, they must stay "active" against the bar. The trapezius muscles are
shrugging the shoulders upward and the arms are beginning to bend to pull the lifter
downward under the bar.
Receiving position (snatch) - Answers- The lifter aggressively meets the bar by
dropping the hips and pulling under the bar with the trapezius muscles and arms,
pushing up against the bar to lock it at arm's length.
Receiving position (clean) - Answers- The lifter aggressively meets the bar, receiving it
above the clavicles, descending into the low squat position while working to rapidly
tighten the torso. Keep the elbows up, and absorb the downward pressure from the bar
with the legs to stop the motion of the bar.
Finish position - Answers- (snatch finish)
Finish position - Answers- (clean finish) or Jerk start
Jerk Start position - Answers-
Dip (jerk) - Answers- Knees move forward and down directly over the toes, while the
hips move straight down under the bar, and pressure remains on the athlete's heels.
Jerk: Drive - Answers- The lifter drives up against the bar by punching the legs against
the floor to create a powerful extension, slight upward rise on the toes
Jerk: Receiving Position - Answers- Arms push up against the bar and elbows lock as
the feet hit the floor, the front leg lands with the shin vertical and the foot flat.
Recovery position (jerk) - Answers-
True or False, in the start position the athlete's shins are leaning forward and are very
close or lightly touching the bar? - Answers- True
ANSWERS
How do you assess the physical Readiness of an athlete for lifting? - Answers- The
overhead squat, the front squat, the snatch deadlift, and military press
Can any athlete begin weight training? - Answers- No, not all athletes can begin
weightlifting progressions from day one. An assessment should be done by the coach to
grasp a general idea of what the athlete's current ability
What do you do when an athlete (new or experienced) has pain present with the
movements or prior injury history ? - Answers- Refer the athlete to a medical
professional such as an MD or physical therapist
Why teach and evaluate the front squat? - Answers- To make sure the athlete has the
flexibility of the shoulders, wrists, torso and hips to maintain the correct "racked"
position used in clean progressions.
Why evaluate the overhead squat? - Answers- To make sure the athlete has the
flexibility of the shoulders, torso and hips to maintain the overhead squat position that is
used in snatch progressions.
Why evaluate the military press? - Answers- To make sure the athlete has the flexibility
to assume the correct overhead position and movement pattern of the jerk.
True or False, the grip on a snatch deadlift is the same grip as overhead squat? -
Answers- True - On a snatch deadlift, the athlete should use the same grip as overhead
squat.
True or False, the lower back is arched on a snatch deadlift? - Answers- True - The
lower back is arched, torso stays upright
What approach do we use when addressing movement problems uncovered in the
assessments? - Answers- Ground-up approach
What are the four most basic and most efficient positions when lifting a weight from the
floor overhead? - Answers- 1. Power position 2. (Explosive)Extension 3. Catch 4.
Recovery
True or False, there are times during the Snatch, Clean, and Jerk where an athlete's
feet will leave the ground as a result of explosive power production? - Answers- True -
There are times during the Snatch, Clean, and Jerk where one's feet will leave the
ground as a result of explosive power production, but lifters should be taught to get their
feet back on the ground immediately.
, Name the position: The athletes prepare to lift the bar from the platform. - Answers- The
start position
Power Position - Answers- Bring the bar into contact with the upper thighs (Clean), or
hips (Snatch)
Power Position - Answers- Bring the bar into contact with the upper thighs (Clean), or
hips (Snatch)
Explosive Extension - Answers- The legs punch powerfully against the floor, driving the
body and the bar up, causing the lifter to rise onto the toes and momentarily leave the
ground. Reposition feet upon landing to receive the bar on the shoulders or overhead.
Decent under the barbell - Answers- The athlete bends the legs to jump under the bar.
To facilitate this, they must stay "active" against the bar. The trapezius muscles are
shrugging the shoulders upward and the arms are beginning to bend to pull the lifter
downward under the bar.
Receiving position (snatch) - Answers- The lifter aggressively meets the bar by
dropping the hips and pulling under the bar with the trapezius muscles and arms,
pushing up against the bar to lock it at arm's length.
Receiving position (clean) - Answers- The lifter aggressively meets the bar, receiving it
above the clavicles, descending into the low squat position while working to rapidly
tighten the torso. Keep the elbows up, and absorb the downward pressure from the bar
with the legs to stop the motion of the bar.
Finish position - Answers- (snatch finish)
Finish position - Answers- (clean finish) or Jerk start
Jerk Start position - Answers-
Dip (jerk) - Answers- Knees move forward and down directly over the toes, while the
hips move straight down under the bar, and pressure remains on the athlete's heels.
Jerk: Drive - Answers- The lifter drives up against the bar by punching the legs against
the floor to create a powerful extension, slight upward rise on the toes
Jerk: Receiving Position - Answers- Arms push up against the bar and elbows lock as
the feet hit the floor, the front leg lands with the shin vertical and the foot flat.
Recovery position (jerk) - Answers-
True or False, in the start position the athlete's shins are leaning forward and are very
close or lightly touching the bar? - Answers- True
