Cue of the Week #1 – Lock the Lats
“Lock the Lats”
In this series, I’ll take a look at some of cues that have helped shape my career so far as well as others that I have dug up through the net. Here is one that is helpful in a number of lifts, but I think it really shines in the clean and jerk. When done properly the lifter pulls the shoulders down and back and puffs the chestup and out. This cue is similar to “pinch your shoulder blades,” but through personal experience and watching other lifters receive the same cue, I feel that “locking the lats” makes for a stronger back and a stronger lift off. Obviously this is only part of the whole getting tight before lift-off but anything that engages as much of the back as this cue is a good tool for the coach’s tool box. Be careful of letting the lifter move his butt up. Ideally the lats are locked without any movement of the butt. This is a good cue to get started with. Use it, let me know what you think and happy lifting.