Which of the following is a fault in the power clean?

• A. Lack of hip extension
• B. Moving to toes too early
• C. Curling the bar
• D. Receiving too wide

Answer: (D)

In the power clean, the receiving position should be tight and centered: the bar rests on a close front rack with elbows high and the grip wide enough to control the bar without it drifting away from the torso. Catching the bar too wide disrupts this position, making it hard to get under the bar quickly and to stand up with control. When the hands are too wide, the bar sits farther from your center of mass, which often pushes the bar outward and forward, reduces stability, and can increase the risk of losing balance or missing the rack. A proper grip width helps you capture the bar with a tight, upright torso and allows the elbows to drive forward into a solid rack position.

For context, a lack of hip extension signals insufficient power generation during the initial pull and the second pull, often leading to a lower bar path. Moving to the toes too early indicates balance and timing issues during the extension into the catch. Curling the bar reflects pulling with the arms rather than finishing with a strong hip-driven extension. These are different faults tied to the pull and catch timing, whereas receiving too wide specifically compromises the stability and mechanics of the catch.