Long torso, short legs deadlift form

[Riparian]

Long time reader, first time poster in H&F. I want to first thank all of the posters here for their amazing advice over the years.

As the topic states, I am having the hardest time performing a correct deadlift. I am 6'2" and have a long torso but short legs (inseam of 30 to 32 for reference). I've watched videos of deadlift form by Rippetoe, Starting Strength, Omar Isuf, Elliot Hulse, etc. but I just can't seem to perform a conventional deadlift without slight rounding of my lower back and heavy rounding of my mid and upper back.

I will try to get a video of my form up the next time I deadlift, however, I was wondering if anyone has any advice as to what one can do to improve their form if they have a long torso but shorter legs?

 

[CPA]

So, are these your steps:

1) you're starting with legs about 1 inch from bar, about shoulder length apart (maybe even a little closer),
2) reaching straight down to grab the bar so that when coming up your knees are just inside the arms,
3) bending knees to until shins touch bar,
4) have eyes look about 10-12 feet ahead of the bar (not looking straight up or at a wall),
5) chest up until arms are perfectly straight and back is straight/tight, inside of the elbows point forward or close to it. do NOT drop butt at any time once in this position,
6) Take deep breath...hold it,
7) Press the floor with your feet as you lift the bar straight up the shins never losing contact, hold your breath
8) Finish pull by lifting chest up, never letting the bar leave touching your legs, hold your breath
9) lock knees, straight back at the finish position, hold your breath
10) then back down the same way you came up? release your breath once weight is back on floor

It the answer is yes, then maybe you are using too much weight. BTW, a little round of the upper back is not bad, even Rip does it. Lower back, though, is definitely not good.

 

[Riparian]

So, are these your steps:

1) you're starting with legs about 1 inch from bar, about shoulder length apart (maybe even a little closer),
2) reaching straight down to grab the bar so that when coming up your knees are just inside the arms,
3) bending knees to until shins touch bar,
4) have eyes look about 10-12 feet ahead of the bar (not looking straight up or at a wall),
5) chest up until arms are perfectly straight and back is straight/tight, inside of the elbows point forward or close to it. do NOT drop butt at any time once in this position,
6) Take deep breath...hold it,
7) Press the floor with your feet as you lift the bar straight up the shins never losing contact, hold your breath
8) Finish pull by lifting chest up, never letting the bar leave touching your legs, hold your breath
9) lock knees, straight back at the finish position, hold your breath
10) then back down the same way you came up? release your breath once weight is back on floor

It the answer is yes, then maybe you are using too much weight. BTW, a little round of the upper back is not bad, even Rip does it. Lower back, though, is definitely not good.

Thanks for taking the time to write all of the pointers. I guess part of the problem is that while I understand the mechanics of the deadlift (and I think I've been performing steps 1-10 as you have said except for maybe looking too far up while pulling), I may just be performing it poorly while thinking I'm doing it correctly.

I am pretty sure my biggest issue is getting my hips higher while still maintaining a straight lower back.

 

[CPA]

Thanks for taking the time to write all of the pointers. I guess part of the problem is that while I understand the mechanics of the deadlift (and I think I've been performing steps 1-10 as you have said except for maybe looking too far up while pulling), I may just be performing it poorly while thinking I'm doing it correctly.

I am pretty sure my biggest issue is getting my hips higher while still maintaining a straight lower back.

If you're unsure, post a video on the Starting Strength forums and one of the Certified Coaches will critique your form.