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There are 4 modules in this course
By the end of this course, you will (1) perform Olympic lifts safely and effectively and (2) apply their power-building principles to improve strength, speed, and athletic performance. Taught by elite performance coach Mike McGurn—who has trained world-class athletes from the Irish National Rugby Team, New Zealand All Blacks, Everton FC, and more—this course provides a clear, progressive approach to mastering the Clean and Snatch.
You’ll learn how Olympic lifts develop total-body power, coordination, and explosiveness through targeted video demonstrations, practice guidance, and strength programming insights. The course stands out for its focus on translating elite-level performance science into accessible, evidence-based coaching techniques suitable for all levels of athletes and fitness professionals. Participants will leave confident in teaching and applying Olympic lifts to elevate performance in the gym, on the field, and beyond.
In this introductory module, elite strength and conditioning coach Mike McGurn lays the foundation for safe and effective Olympic lifting. Designed for athletes and practitioners new to the discipline, this session focuses on movement preparation, mobility, activation, and basic explosive drills that develop the physical qualities required for power and speed.
Participants are guided through a progressive framework that emphasizes technique before load, ensuring that essential mechanics—such as posture, bracing, and triple extension—are mastered before advancing to more complex lifts. The module covers practical warm-up routines, foam rolling and mobility sequences, band activation for postural control, and early-stage power exercises such as box jumps and clean pulls.
By the end of this module, learners will understand how to prepare the body for Olympic lifting, establish safe lifting patterns, and integrate structured, progressive programming to support athletic performance and injury prevention.
Module 1: Novice Progressions in Olympic Lifting for Power and Speed•10 minutes
1 assignment•Total 15 minutes
Module Reflection Quiz•15 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 10 minutes
Introduction•10 minutes
The Clean: Principles and Technique
Module 2•1 hour to complete
Module details
This module teaches the Clean through a clear, three-phase progression that puts technique before load. Each phase runs four weeks with two sessions per week, and every session follows a consistent structure—foam roll → mobility → band activation → Olympic development → strength block—to build safe, repeatable motor patterns.
Learners begin with bar-only developmental drills (RDL → clean pull, front squat, high pull, scarecrow clean) from the hip/power position to groove bar path, timing, and the sequence triple extension → shrug → fast elbows to rack. The emphasis is on low sets, low reps, and full recoveries to engrain quality movement before adding load.
Progressions then move the start point down the thigh (hang clean from mid-thigh/above knee) to develop bar proximity and receiving mechanics, before advancing from the floor: partial clean to knee (first-pull mechanics), clean pulls (first pull → transition → extension), and finally the squat clean (catch and stand). Coaching cues throughout reinforce a close bar path, standardized setup, and a confident front-rack receive.
Outcome: By the end of Module 2, you’ll be able to teach and perform the Clean from phased starts (hip → mid-thigh → floor), apply consistent setup and timing, and use targeted assistance work to build the front rack, receiving position, and total-body power—without compromising technique.
What's included
14 videos1 reading1 assignment
Show info about module content
14 videos•Total 14 minutes
The Clean Phase 1 Introduction•1 minute
Developmental Training•1 minute
Hang Clean•1 minute
Push Press•0 minutes
Bulgarian Split Squat•1 minute
The Clean Phase 2 Introduction•0 minutes
Hang Clean Mid Thigh•1 minute
Overhead Lunge•1 minute
Split Jerk•2 minutes
The Clean Phase 3 Introduction•1 minute
Partial Clean From Floor•1 minute
Clean Pull From Floor•1 minute
Squat Clean From Floor•2 minutes
Push Jerk•1 minute
1 reading•Total 10 minutes
Student Notes – Module 2: The Clean•10 minutes
1 assignment•Total 20 minutes
Module 2: Practice Assignment•20 minutes
The Snatch: Principles and Technique
Module 3•1 hour to complete
Module details
This module teaches the snatch through a phased, technique-first progression that builds confidence from simple positions to the full lift. Training runs two sessions per week for four weeks per phase, with about 72 hours between sessions for recovery. Each session follows a consistent flow — foam roll → mobility → band activation → developmental drills → Olympic work — so lifters engrain sound mechanics before adding load.
Phase 1 establishes fundamentals from the hip (“crease”) position using the bar only in a circuit style: RDL → snatch pull, muscle snatch, overhead squat, and snatch balance. These drills teach a tight bar path, violent triple extension, stable overhead positioning, and confident receiving mechanics, before introducing light-loaded Olympic work (e.g., hang snatch) and foundational strength (e.g., back squat, behind-neck snatch press).
Phase 2 lowers the start point to mid-thigh/above knee, reinforcing bar proximity, timing, and overhead stability with progressions like hang snatch (mid-thigh), power jerk, and snatch balance — all performed with the same session order and continued emphasis on technique over load.
Phase 3 integrates the full movement from the floor: first-pull skill via the partial snatch to knee, power development with the snatch pull from the ground, and finally the complete squat snatch — combining all prior elements into a fast, stable catch and stand. Field and court athletes may still prioritize power-position starts depending on sport demands, but this phase equips lifters to execute the full lift when appropriate.
Outcome: By the end of this module, learners can teach and perform the snatch from hip → mid-thigh → floor, using standardized setups, close bar paths, explosive triple extension, and confident overhead receives — without compromising technique quality.
What's included
14 videos1 reading1 assignment1 discussion prompt
Show info about module content
14 videos•Total 15 minutes
The Snatch Phase 1 Introduction•1 minute
The Snatch Developmental Training•2 minutes
Hang Snatch•1 minute
Back Squat •1 minute
Behind Neck Snatch Press•1 minute
The Snatch Phase 2 Introduction•0 minutes
Hang Snatch Mid Thigh•1 minute
Power Jerk•1 minute
Snatch Balance•1 minute
The Snatch Phase 3 Introduction•1 minute
Partial Snatch From Floor•1 minute
Snatch Pull From Floor•1 minute
Snatch Pull From Floor•1 minute
Squat Snatch From Floor•1 minute
1 reading•Total 10 minutes
Student Notes – Module 3: The Snatch•10 minutes
1 assignment•Total 15 minutes
Module 3: Practice Assignment•15 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 10 minutes
Summary•10 minutes
Reflective Learning Exam
Module 4•2 hours to complete
Module details
This final exam is designed to assess your understanding of the key concepts presented throughout the course. Please review all video lessons and written materials before beginning. A passing score of 70% or higher is required to successfully complete the course and earn your CE certificate. You may reference your notes during the exam. Once you pass, your certificate will be available for immediate download.
What's included
1 assignment
Show info about module content
1 assignment•Total 90 minutes
Untitled•90 minutes
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Niel Asher Education is a world leader in evidence-based online education for massage therapists, manual therapists, and allied health professionals. Our mission is to empower practitioners worldwide with accessible, high-quality training that bridges traditional bodywork, modern rehabilitation, and integrative health science.
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