Deadlift form question

[Antanas]

Hey i finally found some time to post.

My knee is getting better but its taking its sweet time. I understand squatting and proper form now but deadlifting is getting the better of me.

Currently i use a wide stance (semi-sumo) and hands in but spread out wide. I wanted to use a fuller range of motion compared to powerlifters.
This form i think now for me is optimal- or causes least torsion in the lower back and it is much easier to get my tall 6'3 frame into a "correct" deadlifting form.

I find it difficult getting in the conventional form. I want to use full ROM exercises, thats how you get strong and was considering going back to the traditional method.

I'm using Ripettoes quess
www.crossfit.com/journal/library/51-2006_AnalysisofDeadlift.pdf

But i still have problems getting in that low position- using a narrow/medium stance with a medium outer grip to maintain neutral alignment of the entire back, mostly lower. To achieve full spinal alignment i really have to get my but in the air .

Any ideas. I will try to get a video soon, not promising much.

P.S just found an awesome interview of M.R
www.staleytraining.com/media/rippetoe.mp3

[Antanas]

After thought lack of hamstring flexibility?

[Boris]

Johnny might have some ideas, but I'd really like to see a vid of you DLing conventional Ant.

[Antanas]

I will try to arrange it

[Johnny Mnemonic]

It sounds a lot like a flexibility issue. But video would help. If you can get video of you from the side as well as the front it would help with solving the problem.

[Antanas]

Finally got the video, sorry for the poor quality and non complete videos, camera is a piece of junk.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ryj7uoCYAhI

Own comments:
-Most of the movement came from glute contraction
- As the weight got heavier i found it easier to get in a so called grove
- I could of kept my chest out more
- Very close stance, bar close (scrapping), toes pointed out slightly, bare foot
-Didn't feel as much stress on the lumbar spine
-Camera died so the video don't show this, but if i keep my hips slightly higher before i start its easier to get my back aligned and prevent rounding
-Knee issues still present, bad mobility i should be seeing a physio soon again to fix most of my poor postural alignments, d**n expensive for a student.
-Worked up to 130kg, no back or knee problems, as a whole i felt strong but not pushing it.

[Antanas]

From all of the Marks videos i seemed to have missed this one, i needed this.

media.crossfit.com/cf-video/CrossFit_RipDeadliftSetup.mov

[Boris]

Ant,
Johnny and I were looking at your video and we both think it looks pretty good. There were some things that we were wondering about your set-up that we couldn't really tell from the angle you gave, but the Coach Rippetoe video pretty much covered everything we were thinking about stance, etc. Looked pretty good to us!

[Antanas]

I will try to get another video from both angles, deadlift is something i was particularly struggling with. The squatting form issue it will only get better with my knee healing faster and restoring optimum mobility to my shoulders. Thanks a lot for the help and hope to be lifting heavy again.