Which of the following is an example of a cue that follows the three-step process for short, actionable cues?

• A. Move the bar faster
• B. Keep the back straight
• C. Breathe deeply
• D. Push your knees out

Answer: (D)

Short, actionable cues work best when you give a precise action, specify the body part to adjust, and provide a clear direction that can be observed in real time. The cue to push your knees out does exactly that: it tells you what to do (push), which part to move (knees), and in which direction (out). It’s concise, easy to translate into a real-time correction, and directly relates to knee tracking during a lift, making it immediately usable for athletes.

The other options don’t fit as well. Move the bar faster pressures speed over form and isn’t a concrete positional cue. Keep the back straight is a valid safety target but can be vague about how to achieve it and can be misinterpreted in different contexts. Breathe deeply is a physiological cue that doesn’t address mechanics. So the knee-out cue best aligns with the three-step approach for short, actionable cues.