Which cue fixes an inactive overhead position in the overhead squat?

• A. Cue athlete to press up.
• B. Tighten abdominals by pulling the rib cage down.
• C. Stand in front of athlete to prevent chest from coming forward.
• D. Cue "Press up!" and use a tactile cue to lock out the elbows and push the shoulders up.

Answer: (D)

Achieving an active overhead position relies on the shoulder girdle and arms being engaged to stack the bar over the body. When the athlete actively presses the bar upward, they recruit the upper traps and deltoids to elevate and stabilize the shoulders, creating a solid base for the bar to sit over the midfoot. The tactile cue to lock out the elbows and push the shoulders up gives immediate, kinesthetic feedback: the athlete feels elbow extension and a coordinated shrug that lifts and stabilizes the scapulae. This combination directly transforms an inactive, lax overhead setup into a stable, locked-in position. The other cues don’t target both elements as effectively—one aims only at pressing without the tactile elbow/schedule feedback, another can dampen thoracic extension or miss the essential scapular stabilizing action, and the stand-in-front cue doesn’t address the overhead position itself.