"You Have to Have the Will to Jerk!" - Training Progression: Week 7, Day 2

A.M. Session

Back Squats
1 Set of 3 Reps @ 60%
1 Set of 3 Reps @ 70%
1 Set of 3 Reps @ 80%
2 Sets of 2 Reps @ 90%

Power Snatch
1 Set of 3 Reps @ 60%
1 Set of 3 Reps @ 65%
1 Set of 3 Reps @ 70%
1 Set of 1 Rep @ 75%
1 Set of 3 Reps @ 60%
1 Set of 3 Reps @ 65%

Power Clean

1 Set of 3 Reps @ 60%
1 Set of 3 Reps @ 65%
1 Set of 3 Reps @ 70%
1 Set of 1 Rep @ 75%
1 Set of 3 Reps @ 60%
1 Set of 3 Reps @ 65%

P.M. Session

Clean Pull
1 Set of 4 Reps @ 90%
1 Set of 3 Reps @ 100%
1 Set of 4 Reps @ 90%
1 Set of 2 Reps @ 100%
1 Set of 4 Reps @ 90%

Front Squat + Jerk
1 Set of 3 F.S. + 1 Jr. @ 60%
1 Set of 3 F.S. + 1 Jr. @ 70%
4 Sets of 2 F.S. + 1 Jr. @ 80%

Front Squat
1 Set of 1 Rep @ 60%
1 Set of 1 Rep @ 70%
1 Set of 1 Rep @ 80%
1 Set of 1 Rep @ 85%
1 Set of 1 Rep @ 90%
1 Set of 1 Rep @ 95%

Daily Volume: 88
Weekly Volume: 209

I was still only able to get one squat at 90%, but it was just a tad easier than yesterday. HA! Power snatches and power cleans felt light, and I even got a PR on the power clean.  Good morning session!

The afternoon session was more frustrating, but very valuable. I pressed out on the first jerk, then progressively got better during the working sets at 80%.  My first couple sets were piss poor attempts.  There should be no reason for me to miss jerks, or have them feel difficult, at this weight.  It's definitely not a strength issue.

During Sean's "pep talk" to me in between sets, he said something that really resonated with me.  "You have to have the will to jerk!".  Most times with the jerk, it comes down to the mindset.  During a competition, you will always be "tired" and strained from a heavy clean.  You will never be "fresh", so sometimes it simply comes down to knuckling up and getting after it.  My last rep, which is shown in the video below shows a drastic change in mindset.  Sean's talk will certainly be my focus moving forward when jerking.

To add to the frustration, my 95% front squat would've been a 3kg PR, but I didn't have it in me.  My PR's are going to have to weight.  Sam, a.k.a. Smuggles, on the other hand hit a 5kg squat PR (see video below), in addition to a 5kg front squat PR!  A big week for Sam!  Keep it up, Stud!!

Click Here to Watch Sam's Squat PR!