When you first start CrossFit your coaches are sage-like possessors of wisdom unfathomable. They guide you, teaching you to control your body, keep your heels on the ground, hinge at the hip and keep your spine secure with the mysterious “core” muscles.
After a while, you decide that these strangely named exercises are fun and challenging. You want to get better at your snatch and clean and jerk. Unfortunately, your coaches seem to be bothered when you call them at 11:30 at night demanding they explain to you the intricacies of these movements so that you can be better prepared for tomorrow’s workout. No need to panic, your coach need sleep and so do you. There are some great resources available where you can see quality demos of Olympic Weightlifting movements and the accessory work that is commonly paired with this type of training.
The number one resource for all things Olympic weightlifting is Catalyst Athletics. From having the most extensive exercise library online, free training programs and articles that are both informative and engaging, this site simply can not be beat. All of the information here can be trusted to be accurate and the exercise demos are performed correctly as well.
Another great resource for some really great technique in action is the @hookgrip instagram account. He travels to weightlifting events around the world capturing the absolute best lifters in action. His videos contain a bit of commentary as well, so you can get familiar with the elite athletes in the sport and become a bit of a fan in the process.
These two should be more than sufficient for anyone new to the sport. Where you want to stay away from as a new lifter is YouTube. Many people have developed the ability to speak clearly and confidently and present poor information in a way that sounds great. With more experience you will learn to discern the difference between those who know what they are talking about, and those who do not. Once you have a better understanding of lifting YouTube will be a great resource as well.
Getting started and learning is a fun process. You only get to be a true beginner once, so make sure to start that process on the right foot by getting quality coaching in your home gym and accessing the best resources available right away. Learning the correct way initially will keep the progress rolling and eliminate the need for correcting pesky bad habits years down the road.
