Which cue is recommended for correcting an improper bar path in a press?

• A. Pull the head back and out of the way of the bar.
• B. Check that elbows are not too low in the set-up.
• C. Block the forward travel of the bar with another object.
• D. Use a tactile cue to push the bar back into the correct position.

Answer: (D)

Using a tactile cue to push the bar back into the correct position relies on kinesthetic feedback to guide the bar path in real time. In a press, the bar should move in a near-vertical line and stay close to the torso; when it starts drifting forward, a light touch can cue the lifter to return the bar toward that vertical path. This method is safe, consistent, and easy to transfer to other pushing movements because it trains the body to feel where the bar should be rather than relying on sight or risky setups.

Other cues don’t address the immediate bar-path correction as effectively. Pulling the head back and out of the way can disrupt neck and spine alignment. Checking elbow height in setup targets static posture rather than guiding the bar during the lift. Blocking the forward travel with another object is unsafe and impractical.