Which cue specifically addresses curling during the medicine ball clean?

• A. Stand in front to block curling.
• B. Cue “Elbows high and outside!”
• C. Hold the ball at the peak of the shrug to practice the pull-under.
• D. Take athlete back to the teaching progression.

Answer: (B)

Focusing on elbow position directly tackles curling in the medicine ball clean. When the ball curls up the forearms, it means the motion is driven by wrist and elbow bending instead of a powerful leg-and-hip drive. Cueing “Elbows high and outside” trains the athlete to keep the elbows elevated and pointed outward, which keeps the ball traveling away from the chest rather than curling inward. This maintains a more vertical lift and a quicker pull-under, making the catch more stable and efficient. Other cues may address general technique or transitions, but they don’t isolate the elbow position to prevent curling as effectively.