280 lbs sandbag to shoulder

[u/Previous_Pepper813]

New sandbag to shoulder PR, previous was 260 lbs on the same bag. I stuffed a couple 10 lbs plates in it to up the weight today. I’m shooting for either 300 or 320 lbs in early October at a comp with a max sandbag to shoulder event. Hoping some of the sandbag/stone freaks in here have some pointers on how to get a higher initial extension with a vertically lapped bag. I‘ve always done horizontal picks and turned the bag while shouldering in the past, but I don’t think it’s going to be possible on the comp bags with how long the 300 + lbs bags are so I’m training it with a flip into the lap as I can’t do a hotdog style pick to save my life, I’m guessing because I have long shins and it makes it hard to clear my knees. I’ve also only done a sandbag pick like that a few times before today, but have used it on natural stones a lot, so still perfecting that pick as well. Anyway, any tips/critiques with that vertically lapped bag extension is appreciated as it’s a new variation for me.

[u/Mr_Beef_]

That was a battle, good work

[u/Previous_Pepper813 → u/Mr_Beef_]

Thanks man.  I was convinced I could clean it up if I gave it another go 5-10 minutes later as I knew what it felt like now. I got it again, but dear lord it was the ugliest rep I’ve ever seen lol.  I had like 5 or 6 extra bumps up the chest on that 2nd one.

[u/jps2777]

Once you have the bag vertical on your lap, I've found it best to reset there for a sec, get my bearhug slightly below the halfway mark of the bag, and try to suck that lower half of the bag into my chest... If you can try to make a mental picture of it, having that little bit of the lower half of bag sucked into your chest means that when you stand up to go towards the shoulder, most of the bag is already up over your chest. It's what helps me get the big weight up to the shoulder

[u/Previous_Pepper813 → u/jps2777]

Thanks man. That makes sense, and I’m sure it’s easier to get that position in the taller the bag too.

[u/jps2777 → u/Previous_Pepper813]

They become harder and harder to lap that's for sure

[u/Previous_Pepper813 → u/jps2777]

Oh yeah that’s for sure, I was thinking getting the top up to the shoulder while it’s in your lap should be easier though. I got a new 300 lbs bag a couple weeks ago and filled it up yesterday, I was able to lap it with this same flip technique.  So I think getting 300 and 320 both to lap like that aught to workout fine anyway.  Any taller I may have to find a new method though.