sPL/PE1 - Proper execution

At the top phase of the movement, both scapulae are protracted but I'm not sure if they must be depressed at the same time. In the video, the athlete seems to demonstrate scapular protraction only, is it the case ?

I've recently tried to depress while protracting and I've realized that the exercise becomes far more difficult for me.

I have always had my athletes focus on protraction for sPL/PE1.

Yours in Fitness,
Coach Sommer

So do i understand correctly that we should NOT concentrate on depressing our shoulders while doing the protraction-retraction movement? just move naturally from protraction to retraction? if i naturally move from protraction to retraction my shoulders automatically raise to my ears. So i thought concentrating to always depress them would be a good thing to accomplish.

Another thing which keeps me guessing is if the rest of the body should remain straight at all times. if i slightly arch my back at the bottom of the retraction i can retract far more. but i guess this is wrong and the body should remain straight at all times. Am i right?

P5yx said:

So do i understand correctly that we should NOT concentrate on depressing our shoulders while doing the protraction-retraction movement? just move naturally from protraction to retraction? if i naturally move from protraction to retraction my shoulders automatically raise to my ears. So i thought concentrating to always depress them would be a good thing to accomplish.

 

Another thing which keeps me guessing is if the rest of the body should remain straight at all times. if i slightly arch my back at the bottom of the retraction i can retract far more. but i guess this is wrong and the body should remain straight at all times. Am i right?

just focus on moving the shoulder blades right now is not exactly the time to protract and depress, just put some strength and mobility into the scapulas. 

probably at the top you can do that "squeeze" protract, depress but i don't think it's a primary focus at this moment.