How to KILL the SSST (Secret Service Snatch Test)

[glennpendlay]

VF did, what, about 220 snatches in 10 min, with ONE ARM SWITCH and without setting the KB down, and this with a 32kg KB, not a 24kg ... now trying to go against the "party line" or anything... and not trying to create controversy... but did anyone think to wonder how he did it, how he trained? I am a big believer in specific training, based on experience outside of the KB's.

I plan to try the SSST soon. I bet I will fail.

I have been fooling around with the KB's for a while, both for myself, and with the OL lifers that I coach. We are openminded about what to do. But I firmly believe, if you are starting in something, or not elite, look to the elites for what you should base yiour training on. Not copy or follow blindly, but look to as a foundation.

glenn

[0311bravo]

I do know how VF trained. To my understanding at one point he was snatching for three hours in the morning, had a jog, ate lunch, then long or short cycle for 3 hours.
The danger I see in this kind of thinking is pointing at someone who is the ultra-elite top .0001% and trying to act like he is the rule. You also can't compare a GS 10 minute test to a HS 10 minute test. They're different animals. The whole 'one hand switch' thing doesn't hold up as some kind of slam on hard style, as the numbers don't match up. Most people doing an SSST will hit higher numbers than the average GS'r on a 10 minute test with one hand switch. But then the hardstyler get's crushed trying to do a GS test. It's apples and oranges.
If you're 'blindly following' proven programs, that isn't a bad thing. If someone has the sack and the time to train as VF did, I say go to it. Do what works for you. Just don't slam other methods because you don't understand them.
Don't sell yourself short on the SSST. If you think you'll fail, you're probably right. Do the proper preparation, believe in yourself, and you'll succeed.

[glennpendlay]

Bravo,

I am not 'blindly following' any program. But coaching success in things other than KB's has taught me to look first to others who have been successful when trying to build your own program.

I also know that HS and GS are different, but the SSST is a part of HS that is similar to what a GS athlete does. Not the same, but similar, more similar than other parts of HS certainly. So when wondering what to do to maximize this test, it may pay to at least query what GS athletes do, because even the most ardent HS student must admit that they are unmatched at this sort of thing.

I also dont think that wondering what VF did means that one has to either follow his program or ignore it. One might instead learn from it, and try to apply the lessons even if the reality is not attainable. Obviously in terms of KB competition, he is an absolute freak both in terms of physical ability and willingness and ability to train long and hard. Most of us cant do that, in the same way that most American Olympic lifter cant train in the exact same way as the 80's era Bulgarian Olympic weightlifting team. That doesnt stop us from learning from what they did.

I dont want to get into a GS vs HS debate here, that was never my intention. I simply want to train and improve, and use the best knowledge I can to coach the athletes that train under me. I am betting I can do both better by taking what knowledge I can from all sources.

glenn

[ARODRNSN]

Never hurts to throw on a gas mask.

[schnieder]

good point jordan, guys like VF spend most of their hours practicing GS, that's how they get so damn good.

but as steve maxwell said, americans don't give a crap about GS.

so if you want get 200 snatches in only 3 hours of training or less a week and you want to have strong conditioning, grip, and strength and you don't give a crap about how many times you switch, and you want to snatch harder and faster, then follow ETK

[0311bravo]

Originally Posted by glennpendlay

Bravo,

I am not 'blindly following' any program. But coaching success in things other than KB's has taught me to look first to others who have been successful when trying to build your own program.

I also know that HS and GS are different, but the SSST is a part of HS that is similar to what a GS athlete does. Not the same, but similar, more similar than other parts of HS certainly. So when wondering what to do to maximize this test, it may pay to at least query what GS athletes do, because even the most ardent HS student must admit that they are unmatched at this sort of thing.

I also dont think that wondering what VF did means that one has to either follow his program or ignore it. One might instead learn from it, and try to apply the lessons even if the reality is not attainable. Obviously in terms of KB competition, he is an absolute freak both in terms of physical ability and willingness and ability to train long and hard. Most of us cant do that, in the same way that most American Olympic lifter cant train in the exact same way as the 80's era Bulgarian Olympic weightlifting team. That doesnt stop us from learning from what they did.

I dont want to get into a GS vs HS debate here, that was never my intention. I simply want to train and improve, and use the best knowledge I can to coach the athletes that train under me. I am betting I can do both better by taking what knowledge I can from all sources.

glenn

My bad, I misread something you said about the 'following blindly' thing. Personally, I've never even understood the HS vs. GS debate. It doesn't make a lick of sense as they have two entirely different ends. I think you're on the right path and if you get more serious about kettleebells you'll pick the right path for you.