[Ben]

Am curious as to what are the advantages and disadvantages from doing say; Power clean instead of a Full Squat Clean, Power Snatch instead of a Full Squat Snatch, Hang Clean from Power Clean etc etc

At the moment, i can lift more weight via the Power variations, instead of the full squat. But i'm pretty sure this puts me in the minority?

[Will]

As your technique improves you will find that you can lift more weight with the "full" clean versions as opposed to the "power" versions.

The full versions of the lift engage more muscles and thus allow you to lift more weight (a simple way of putting it) but are much more technically difficult and often novice trainees will lift more on the power versions as they are less technically demanding.

Several factors may cause the said athlete to choose to use power version variants over the full version:

Rip advocates Power cleans over full cleans as they are less physically demanding and the athlete will already have squatted in the session so you can still train for power (ability to exert force rapidly) without exhuasting yourself.

Another reason for using the power versions would be they are easier to learn and therefore more "safe".

They are good for building strength for the full version variants.

So there are a couple of reasons for using the power variants but don't shy away from learning the full version of the lift as they are also beneficial but take it slow as your technique wont be great and until this is 100% you aren't going to be shifting much weight.

Record yourself watch it back fix the mistakes and watch constant vids. If you can't get to a qualified coach that is. And practice practice practice and you will be cleaning close to what you can deadlift.

[Rich]

Hang cleans and high hang cleans place the emphasis on the different part of the pull. They also (for me) are great for learning to jump under the bar, as you are (hopefully) relying upon technique rather than momentum because you're missing the initial first pull from the ground. You can use the hang clean and its variants effectively when you start learning the clean, in that you get into the habit of keeping the bar close to your thighs and brush your t-shirt and all that business. Then you learn to pull from the ground.