Good Mornings

CUI

The nature of the lift is similar, however there is a significant difference b/w having the bar hanging in front of you and having it on your back in that forward lean. I think it is a great idea to switch the lifts up. As for foot positioning, that will vary. You can do wide stance and narrow stance, seated, one leg and you can also incorporate different bars (i.e. cambered) to add to the variety. To the CNS, just a simple change in grip or stance can be like a completely new exercise.

Here is how I teach it:

1)There is a wall in front of you (a pretend wall), pretend to try to touch it with your chin.

2)There is a wall behind you (also pretend), try to touch it with your butt while still trying to touch the wall in front with your chin.

**This helps athletes in keeping the arch in back.

3)The hips are the motor and every other movement will be a REACTION to what the hips do. For example, the upper body leans forward on the descent BECAUSE the hips are being pushed back. The upper body straightens out on the ascent BECAUSE the hips are being pushed forward.

4)On the ascent, drive the heels into the ground so that the glutes and hams are working harder.

Lots of them will try to squat it the first few times....make sure the HIPS are being moved back and then forward. Bending the knees will allow you to push the hips back farther.

Jimbo

CUI,

Yeah, the wall trick works with the RDL as well and usually if the bar isn't brushing against their legs (or close to it) they are bending too much and not pushing the hips back...so like you said, that is a good key as well. Sometimes I just tell them to "make like a duck" and think of Donald (Butt stuck out and chest up), or for some of the wannabe "WWE Superstar" guys tell them "act like somebody just said something about your momma and now your ready to fight (chest way up high and back arched). It amazes me that when you tell some kids to do something a certain way, it takes everything they have just to come close to getting it right. But take that same movement and put it in terms with something they do in everyday life and they do it like it is nothing.

Do whatever it takes...haha.

Jimbo

CUI,

Im not really a stickler for certain tempos or anything, but I certainly make sure that the lift is being performed:

1) in a controlled manner on the eccentric portion
2) with an explosive concentric

If I absolutely had to pick a tempo, I would say maybe a 201 or something similar.

Hope this helps a little.

Jimbo