Squat Jerk Meaning in Weightlifting

The squat jerk involves catching a barbell overhead while dropping into a full deep squat. Most lifters use a lunge stance but some prefer this very low position. This technique requires extreme shoulder and hip flexibility to keep the bar balanced. The athlete drives the weight up and then sits down fast under the bar. A lifter catches the heavy weight at the bottom and stands up very carefully. This style creates a shorter distance for the bar to travel during the drive. Only a few elite athletes use this difficult method due to the balance required.