Jul 12, 2022
Matt & Niki discuss visual cues for lifting: how to best use
them in-person & online, common mistakes to avoid, & some helpful
examples.
Visual Cues for Lifting
When used properly, visual cues can reduce the time & words
needed to get the lifter squatting or
deadlifting or pressing with proper form. Used incorrectly,
they can confuse and get lifters trying to mimic something
inappropriate for them.
Visual cues help with stationary, simple technique elements
that can often be difficult to explain. For example, "take a
shoulder width stance" actually requires a bit of thought. If you
take the stance and toe angle they need, however, you've probably
saved time and confusion.
Similarly, showing the proper wrist, and elbow position for
the squat helps the lifter see the "straight wrist, close grip,
elbows forward."
These visual cues, of course, don't occur in isolation.
Combining different means of communication (verbal, tactile,
visual) hammers home important points, allowing multiple senses to
receive and comprehend the technique information.
Visual cues for lifting can thus simplify and quicken the
learning process.
Visual Cues for Online Coaching
In-person coaching typically uses visual communication during
the teaching progression, when the coach shows the lifter what he's
looking for. When the lifter is lifting, you have to be in the
lifter's vision or peripheral vision to communicate with the lifter
(necessary for coaching a deaf lifter, which Matt has done).
In online coaching where the coach breaks down the video, the
lifter gets to watch her own lifts and hear the coach's
commentary.
Additionally, the coach can pause or slow down the video. The
coach can draw and many coaches include video of themselves, where
they can use their upper body or arms to add a visual cue.
Thus, the best online coaching provides verbal & visual cues, combining the
auditory and visual senses.
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