Which cue is recommended to correct a poor overhead position in a push jerk as you receive the bar?

• A. Cue the athlete to press up on the bar while in the receiving position, before standing to extension.
• B. Drive the bar overhead after stepping under the bar to catch it.
• C. Bend the elbows to cushion the catch.
• D. Lower the bar behind the neck to reset.

Answer: (A)

Focusing on the receiving position and using a cue to press up on the bar while you catch is about creating a stable, stacked setup overhead. In a push jerk, the bar should be caught with arms fully extended, forearms vertical, shoulders engaged, and the bar aligned over the midfoot. By actively pressing up on the bar in the receiving position, you generate upward tension that helps keep the bar over the center of gravity, prevents it from drifting forward or backward, and reinforces a tall, tight torso position as you prepare to stand to extension.

This cue also helps lock out the elbows and stabilize the wrists, making the catch more solid and less prone to collapsing or bouncing out of position. It trains the athlete to meet the bar with control rather than letting momentum dictate where the bar ends up, which is crucial when the goal is a clean, efficient transition from catch to drive.

Other cues either address performance after the catch or encourage less stability. Driving the bar overhead after stepping under can rush the catch and misalign the bar path. Bending the elbows to cushion the catch reduces lockout and stability. Lowering the bar behind the neck to reset is not appropriate for correcting overhead reception and does not address the immediate need for a strong, stable catch.