In a push jerk, which fault best describes an improper recovery sequence (not locking out before lowering)?

• A. Lack of hip extension
• B. Inactive receiving position (shoulders inactive, elbows flexed)
• C. Landing too wide (no wider than squat stance)
• D. Improper recovery sequence (should lock out first before lowering weight)

Answer: (D)

In a push jerk, the timing of the recovery matters for control and safety: you should lock out overhead before lowering the weight. After the bar is driven up and caught overhead, you stabilize in a locked, fully extended position with the hips and knees straight and the arms locked, then you complete the recovery by stepping back or under the bar and standing up with control. Lowering the bar while the joints aren’t locked out overhead breaks that sequence and can cause loss of control or a wobble, which is the fault described as improper recovery sequence.

Other faults touch on different parts of the lift—such as not achieving hip extension for the drive, keeping shoulders inactive or elbows bent during the receiving position, or having an overly wide landing. While those are important issues, they don’t capture the specific problem of not locking out before lowering.