Which cue is recommended to prevent not standing up before lowering the weight in a medicine ball clean?

• A. Give a tactile cue to have the athlete keep the ball at the chest until the shoulder contacts a target.
• B. Cue the athlete to stand all the way up before lowering the ball from the chest.
• C. Focus on keeping the ball at chest height and lowering immediately.
• D. Allow the athlete to drop the ball after catching it.

Answer: (A)

The most effective coaching cue focuses on timing and feel to lock in the finish position before lowering. Keeping the medicine ball at the chest until the shoulders contact a target gives a clear, tactile checkpoint the athlete must reach before moving to the next phase. This ensures full hip and knee extension and a stable front rack position, so the ball isn’t lowered prematurely from the chest. The tactile feedback helps both athlete and coach verify that the lift has reached the proper position before proceeding, which improves control and safety. Other cues either rely on a general instruction to stand up or suggest lowering from the chest too soon, which can lead to poor sequencing and loss of control.