Bob Takano is a highly regarded weightlifting coach who was inducted into the USA Weightlifting Hall of Fame in 2007 for his contributions to coaching. His experience in coaching all levels of lifter from beginners to national champions is both vast and deep. Here are nine of his articles and videos for you to learn from and enjoy.
Why Technique Matters in Olympic Weightlifting
For decades I’ve been hearing the complaints about technique coaching and training the snatch and clean and jerk. Here’s why you need technique and there’s no excuse for skipping over it.
How the Coaching of Olympic Weightlifting Has Changed
We are at an interesting period where is a swelling of interest in the Olympic lifts, but trainees lack a proper physical education. For new weightlifting coaches, the game has forever changed.
Why You Need to Know Your Snatch to Clean and Jerk Ratio
An important ratio for a weightlifter to know is the ratio of the snatch to the clean and jerk. I’m going to tell you why it’s important and how to make appropriate training adjustments.
Breaking Muscle Video: Bob Takano – The Weighted Ankle Stretch
The following exercise employs the weight of a barbell to increase the stress on the achilles tendon.
How to Develop the Coaching Eye
Although most people understand the relevance of anatomy and physiology, few people understand the process of scientific reasoning that may be the most valuable tool that can be applied to coaching.
Breaking Muscle Video: Bob Takano – Learn the Most Difficult Phase of Clean Technique
The shift from the pull to the knees to the power position is one of the most difficult aspects of coaching technique. Here’s a simple exercise to teach the feeling of this movement.
Why All Good Coaches Must Understand the Scientific Method
Although most people understand the relevance of anatomy and physiology, few people understand the process of scientific reasoning that may be the most valuable tool that can be applied to coaching.
Breaking Muscle Video: Bob Takano – The Dirty Bop
Check out this short video of a new lifter snatching with 104 kg. If you watch carefully, you’ll see his mistake – which Bob Takano calls “the dirty bop.”
The Bigger Picture of Weightlifting Program Planning
To be a good weightlifting coach you must understand the full scope of what you are coaching, and the order in which to address it. I’m going to break it down, component by component, and show you.
Photo courtesy of Shutterstock.
