For decades, Olympic lifts have been celebrated as hallmarks of elite athletic development. Their explosive nature trains power, coordination, and total-body strength in ways few movements can replicate. But should every high school strength coach embrace these technical lifts within a high school weightlifting program? The answer is not so simple.
The popularity of Olympic lifts in high school settings has grown in recent years, driven by their association with improved vertical leap, rate of force development, and athletic performance. Coaches in football-heavy districts, especially, gravitate toward the lifts as a means to improve explosiveness on the field. Yet, despite their benefits, Olympic lifts demand time, technical proficiency, and careful attention — resources not every program has in abundance.
Benefits of Olympic Lifts
When taught correctly, Olympic lifts provide a suite of athletic benefits. Movements like squats, cleans, jerks, and snatches train athletes to generate force rapidly — critical for sprinting, jumping, and changing direction. Olympic lifts involve both speed and skill, enhancing neuromuscular coordination and kinetic chain sequencing.
Olympic lifting also develops posterior chain strength, shoulder stability, and grip endurance — important assets in nearly every sport. A structured scholastic strength and conditioning plan that properly includes these lifts reinforces movement literacy and elevates an athlete’s physical ceiling.
For student-athletes aiming to compete at the collegiate level, exposure to Olympic lifts is advantageous. College programs rely on them heavily, and early familiarity can smooth the transition, both physically and mentally.
Technical and logistical challenges
Still, Olympic lifts come with undeniable challenges. Mastering the snatch technique for athletes who are new to weightlifting can be an uphill battle. The technical learning curve is steep, and without close coaching, poor execution can result in injuries, particularly to the shoulders, wrists, and lower back.
Time constraints are also a challenge. High school weight training periods typically last 45–60 minutes, leaving little room to teach, refine, and progress through Olympic movements while accomplishing fundamental program goals. In large-group settings, individual coaching also becomes more difficult to manage.
Equipment limitations are another factor. Not all schools have access to Olympic bars, platforms, bumper plates, or sufficient floor space. Without the proper weightlifting resources, it becomes difficult to provide each athlete with appropriate treatment. Inadequate flooring and equipment also leads to increased risk for injuries during dynamic movements.
Alternatives and considerations for high school coaches
Some coaches opt for simplified derivatives — such as barbell high pulls, jump shrugs, or dumbbell cleans — that retain some of the benefits without the complexity. These variations provide a safer and more accessible entry point for younger athletes to develop their strength and skills.
Other programs reserve Olympic lifts for advanced or upper-level athletes who demonstrate consistent technique in foundational movements like front squats, RDLs, and overhead presses. Teaching progressions and top-down sequencing — such as beginning with hang variations — also make Olympic lifts more manageable.
Ultimately, the decision to incorporate Olympic lifting is based on coaching knowledge, facility readiness, and student-athlete development. The best programs are not built around a single methodology, but on thoughtful decisions tailored to each school’s needs and constraints.
