Topic: Is it me, or do 99% of people just suck at deadlifting?

[Mr.WWII]

Just a rant here, I'm not even talking about the beginners who simply have no clue what they are doing. I'm talking about guys who are really into working out, are aware of good form, have read SS and read the top S&C guys, and yet still, have absolutely shit deadlift form! I see it everywhere, rounded backs and shit starting positions, horrible bar path etc.

Like look at this video of friggen Martin Rooney and two UFC fighters. I would expect their form to be pretty f#cking good if they're being coached by him, but all I see is some shit deadlifts. Martin's is acceptable I guess, but the fighters backs are pretty damn rounded, their starting position looks loose. Jim Miller's back is round as hell, his legs straighten out almost immediately and the bar gets away from his shin.

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3O_nuRX_pQ" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3O_nuRX_pQ</a>

The majority of good deadlift form I see these days is from Olympic lifters, they always lift with ridiculously straight/arched backs and never lose the tightness in their core. Why does it seem like they are the only people that can execute a decent deadlift these days?

ughhh, end rant. Thoughts?

[Scott Eustice]

Well, alot of people recommend having a rounded upper back for deadlifts. I know Westside Barbell guys usually let there backs round so that they can initiate their pull higher. It is very easy to confuse upper and lower back rounding.

And there is still another school of thought that  says that is is a-okay to deadlift with a rounded back, so long as the back position doesn't change until the very top of the lift. In fact the current raw deadlift world record holder deadlifts with the most absurdly rounded back I have ever seen from someone who obviously knows what he is doing.
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wh-ikyBAQr8" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wh-ikyBAQr8</a>

Bret Conteras wrote an article on T-Nation suggesting that rounded back deadlifts are a good option for some people. He did not deny the risks associated with a rounded back deadlift, but said that if true maximal strength is your goal, and you are willing to risk you back health later in life, a controlled rounded back deadlift is your best bet.
http://www.t-nation.com/free_online_article/most_recent/a_strong_case_for_the_rounded_back_deadlift

I don't deadlift with a rounded back, because the risks out weight my desire to lift more. But I can image that those same risks are worth it for some people.

The bar path problem I have noticed. I chalk it up to people not knowing how to stay back on their heels and use their lats to keep the weight on their legs.

[Mr.WWII]

I guess I didn't really make my self clear. I am completely aware of upper back rounding in very heavy power lifting and I am aware of purposeful controlled back rounding, BUT THAT"S for elite level lifts upwards of 700 lbs. I'm talking about people deadlifting 3 and 400 pounds, there is no excuse at those low weights

[Scott Eustice]

Well, the deadlift is a pretty hard lift to self-spot. They might think they have good form, when they quite apparently don't.

And someone can read a book like Starting Strength and not learn anything. I mean, we tell people to read the sticky on almost every thread here. Regardless of whether they read it or not, they still ask questions that could be answered on the sticky. Even though people might read SS, they might not really understand the mechanics, or what the cues actually mean.

[Joe Brock]

I'm taking Scott's side here.

"Heavy" is relative to your own level of training and ability.  There is an "acceptable" level of rounding that is permissible, but that's at the discretion of someone with the experience to know what "too round" is.  If you're in doubt, maintaining adequate lordotic curvature is the safe bet.

The "hitching" with the legs extending first in the video that you posted Chris...we'll, that's crap deadlift form.  That is unacceptable regardless of how heavy the weights are.

[Mr.WWII]

I'm taking Scott's side here.

"Heavy" is relative to your own level of training and ability.  There is an "acceptable" level of rounding that is permissible, but that's at the discretion of someone with the experience to know what "too round" is.  If you're in doubt, maintaining adequate lordotic curvature is the safe bet.

The "hitching" with the legs extending first in the video that you posted Chris...we'll, that's crap deadlift form.  That is unacceptable regardless of how heavy the weights are.

exactly, and that is mostly what I see. I agree there is an acceptable rounding, but I see experienced people pulled 135 with rounding, my point is everyone rounds at all their weights, it's their default form. As Conteras said, that's just stupid. I still hold my point, most people suck at deadlifting.

and remember, that was Martin Rooney's video. What is a very well respected S&C coach doing posting a video of one of his clients having horrible form? and he says "excellent" after the rep. WTF?! huh?! excellent?! really? that's what pisses me off