I agree; starting with the thumb facing back was the key for me. Also, the clean should feel like it's coming from your legs. I don't think about my arm so much in a clean as I think about my legs. Are you practicing the dead clean or long cycle? I think starting with the dead clean is easier. Make sure your toes are pointing slightly out - the stance you should have for the swing. Stick your glutes back, thumb back. Put the power in your legs, thumb back, keep your elbow tucked as your come up. Aim to come to standing with power in your thighs and glutes, elbow and forearm tight to your side/chest, and your thumb at your throat. If you keep your arm tight to your side and your wrist straight, then the bell should naturally rotate and settle easily on your wrist without any banging. You may need to wear sweat bands on your wrist if you bruise easily.
You could practice with a lighter bell, or maybe put like a #15 pound dumbbell on a raised step and start with that. I find that practicing things like snatches with a dumbbell helps me perfect my form for when I do it with a kettlebell. Good luck!
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Linda
Disclosure: I was a Beachbody success story and part of a P90X infomercial.
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