Correction for when the bar loses contact with the legs in a deadlift: which cue is recommended?

• A. Use a tactile cue to help engage the upper back.
• B. Lower the hips and reset the stance.
• C. Pause at the bottom and re-engage the bar.
• D. Cue 'Pull the bar in to your legs the whole time.'

Answer: (D)

Keeping the bar in contact with the legs during a deadlift is about maintaining a tight, efficient bar path that stays close to your midline so you can transfer drive from the floor through your hips and into the bar without drifting forward or losing tension.

The recommended cue—pull the bar in to your legs the whole time—directly trains that path from the moment the bar leaves the floor to lockout. It reminds you to keep the bar hugging your thighs, which helps engage the lats and maintain a vertical, straight line so the bar doesn’t drift away. This proximity reduces horizontal movement, preserves leverage, and minimizes the tendency to hitch or round the back as you rise.

Other cues might touch on setup or momentary fixes, but they don’t actively reinforce keeping the bar close throughout the entire lift. For example, a cue focused on upper-back engagement helps posture but doesn’t guarantee the bar stays against the legs; changing stance or pausing at the bottom addresses setup or reset rather than sustaining contact during the ascent. The continuous proximity cue is the most effective way to prevent losing contact with the legs and to maintain an efficient, safe deadlift.