Discussion: deadlifts

I agree. Fast dead lifts are a little dicey. So slow down a bit and don't do it faster than you can keep your form. The adrenaline gets pumping when they tell you to go-go-go. Doing them right is more beneficial than doing them fast and sloppy. Our coach is generally pretty good about that. She pushes us to go fast, but she is monitoring form all the time, and quick to slow you down or change the weight if you are not doing things right.

Yes, Rob always caught me on the deadlifts because I was trying to be smooth and steady. She didn't want us to add any weight, but I think this would help too - it's a bit too easy to scrimp on form when you've got an empty bar!

You're right about the empty bar. Even a little bit of extra weight makes it feel like a real exercise and helps you line yourself up. It is fun to go fast, but ultimately of little value to try to beat somebody else's time at this. A difficult lesson for those of us who are wired to be competitive.