In a front squat, which cue helps maintain a high elbow position?

• A. Elbows high!
• B. Knees out
• C. Look down
• D. Chest forward

Answer: (A)

In a front squat, keeping the elbows high directly supports the front rack position, which is essential for stable bar control. By cueing “elbows high,” you train the upper back to stay engaged and the forearms to create a shelf for the bar on the shoulders. This helps keep the bar over the midfoot, maintains thoracic extension, and reduces the risk of the bar tipping forward as you descend and rise.

The elbow-high cue is the most effective because it addresses the exact position you need for the bar to stay securely racked. Other cues don’t target this same position: knees out focuses on knee tracking, not elbow height; looking down can encourage forward torso collapse and drop the elbows; and chest forward tends to tilt the torso forward, making it harder to maintain a high-elbow rack.