Power Clean vs Hang Clean

We do both depending on what phase we are in in our workout, we will teach them both from the start though. We have our youngest/weakest players start with a piece of pvc if needed and just rep the heck out of the movements. We feel like it is important for them to be able to get the transition from triple extension to a squat right from the beginning, even if it is w/out weight.

Coach,
We have found the 6 foot aluminum bars and 10 pound trainer plates are an excellent tool for teaching hang clean. The plates allow the bar to sit a normal height and the feel of the much lighter bar allow for realistic feel. We start with a jump stance, which to us is outside of the feet shoulder width apart. We use a simple progression that has worked fairly well for us. We start with a simple phrase and move "dip". The player will dip with straight arms to the top of his knees. We stress three power angles (ankles, knees, hips) shoulders over knees, knees over toes. We have player do sets of 5-8 with this.
Next we move to "dip-pull" which includes all the above and basically a high pull .We stress keep the bar close to the body and driving the elbows thru the roof. With the dip pull, we stress the pull extending the player all the way up to his toes on top of pull.
We have used High Pulls for a couple of weeks leading into the Cleans.
We have found that many of our young big kids have trouble with the technique, so we emphasize technique over weight. With time many show improvement.

Glaze

Curious to know how many guys out there do any cleans with dumbbells. I've seen workouts with them, and I'm wary due to the possibility of slamming one of those into a shoulder or head. However, I can see the positives for working with young players who can't handle the high weight anyhow...larger groups of them could go at once.

Coaches

I am interested in what you mean by hang vs power.

I have a training background in both strength & conditioning and Olympic lifting so I sometimes get too technical.

From a Olympic Lifting point of view, "hang" refers to the starting position and "power" refers to the ending position. Hang simply means you start with the weight above or below the knees (as long as it is not touching the ground). Power means you end in the power position (knees slightly bent, some coaches refer to this as athletic position).

A hang clean means you start with the bar off the ground and end in a squat. Power clean means you start with the bar on the ground and end in power position. You can do a "hang power clean" which means you start with the bar off the ground and end in the athletic position

Are you talking about the same movements?

ptmach

I guess I'm the same as Greenough, when I tell my kids "power" clean, I mean I want them to add the deadlift component to the exercise. I am more interested in seeing my players go through the more athletic position, though. I use the power/hang cleans to train the quick-twitch, explosive muscle movements. I want them to use high weight, and low reps, really focusing on that quick, explosive movement. I usually pair squats and cleans on the same day, bench and military/incline on the next then various "auxiliary" exercises for each.