In a push-up, which of the following is considered a fault?

• A. Incorrect footwear choice
• B. Not using a full range of motion
• C. Improper hand placement (no internal rotation of the hands!)
• D. Slow pace

Answer: (C)

Push-up faults show up when the body's alignment and load transfer are disrupted. Improper hand placement is a fault because turning the hands inward (internal rotation) changes how the elbows and shoulders move, often causing the elbows to flare and the chest or hips to sag. This misalignment reduces stability, increases shoulder strain, and makes it harder to maintain a neutral spine and a full range of motion. The correct setup keeps the hands under the shoulders with wrists neutral and fingers facing forward, allowing the elbows to track at about a 45-degree angle and the body to move as a solid line. Footwear choices or pacing aren’t the primary technical faults in this scenario, and while not using a full range of motion is also a fault, the hand-placement issue most directly compromises form and safety.