@Anna C, I have experimented with many variations, although no doubt that I have not experimented with them all. When I discovered pushing hard on the floor at the start of my DL, my DL greatly improved, so that's what I do, and it's also why I seem to rock forward a bit as I start the actual pull. I don't believe what I'm doing is ideal, and I'm still experimenting. I am pulling back on the bar and the weight is on my heels at the end of my setup, but then when I push, I shift the weight to be mid-foot, my knees come forward, and that's where I'm strongest right now.
As to specifically what you suggest, when I pull sumo - which I'm now doing for my warmups - my focus is on getting my hips forward as early as possible. But I haven't found it a good cue for me for conventional. My weak point is getting the bar to mid-shin, and after that's, it's all easier for me.
I appreciate the ideas and will continue to experiment with them.
@guardian7, something about owning the weight is what this is about. And also that the controlled negative is good for my goals of not losing muscle and perhaps even adding a little bit.
-S-