What is the primary function of the hamstrings during the clean?

The primary function of the hamstrings during the clean is to aid in the extension of the hips during the pull. As the athlete transitions from the starting position to the upward pull of the clean, the hamstrings engage to help extend the hips. This engagement is crucial for generating the power needed to lift the barbell off the ground effectively.

During the pull, the athlete must maintain a strong and stable position while maximizing the drive created by the legs and hips. As the bar rises, the hip extension heavily relies on the hamstrings, which act synergistically with the glutes and quadriceps. By contributing to this hip extension, the hamstrings play a significant role in achieving an efficient lift and ensuring the barbell moves in a straight path, which is essential for successful execution of the clean.

The other functions listed, while they may involve the hamstrings in different capacities, do not represent their primary role in the clean. For instance, stabilizing the knees during the lift is more related to the quadriceps and other stabilizing muscles, while the overhead phase relies more on shoulder and upper body strength rather than hamstring power. Additionally, while the hamstrings may assist in lowering the barbell, their primary contribution to the clean is during the