You Can't Cue What You Haven't Taught: Why Technique Comes Before Cueing

As weightlifters, we’re all chasing the perfect lift, that feeling of speed under the bar, and of course, the next PB.

But here’s the hard truth: You can’t fix your technique with a cue alone—especially if you haven’t been properly taught how to execute it in the first place.

This is a lesson I shared when presenting my advanced coaching seminar last weekend, and it hit home for everyone in the room. We talked about error detection, how to correct movement issues, and the big truth that many coaches (and lifters) miss: Cues are just reminders. They don’t work if the technique hasn’t already been drilled in.

So, let’s break down why teaching comes before cueing, and why it’s the key to long-term improvement in your lifting.

Cues Are Not Quick Fixes

Imagine this: You’re mid-lift, your coach shouts, “Pull your elbows high!” or “Keep the bar close!” But despite hearing the cue, you still struggle to make it work. Why? Because simply hearing the cue isn’t enough if you haven’t already drilled the position, built the strength, and developed the coordination to make those adjustments in real-time.

Cues only work when they’re built on a solid foundation of technique. If you haven’t learned the movement mechanics properly in the first place, no cue is going to make your snatch or clean magically perfect.

You Have to Master the Basics First

At my seminar, we talked about a few common lifting mistakes and how to fix them. Let’s break them down here:

• 1. Hips Rising Early Off the Floor

This is a common issue, especially as the bar gets heavier. If your hips rise without your chest or you’re losing tightness off the floor, simply telling you to stay tight or keep your hips down won’t cut it. You’re probably already trying really hard to do that, right?

What’s actually helpful here? This is where the cue falls flat. We need to dig into the root of the issue. Is it a strength problem? A lack of awareness? Or is it a mechanics and coordination issue, where your body doesn’t know how to sequence the movement properly?

That’s where your coach comes in. By breaking it down, showing you the movement, and reinforcing those positions, we can teach you how to feel and execute the correct posture.
Cues are only useful once you’ve learned the movement pattern and feel confident in it.

• 2. The Loopy Bar Path

If you’re out of balance through your feet, or your power generation mechanics are off, the bar will drift away from you, causing a loopy path. Basically, you’re "humping the bar," the bar goes forward, and you either chase after it (cue big run forward, many steps) or you correct with your arms, leading to potential press outs or a receive that is out of balance.

This is a sign of imbalance and improper positioning throughout your pull. Instead of shouting "keep the bar close" right off the bat, we need to work on setting up your body position and feeling that balance through each part of the lift. A cue won’t solve it if your feet are all over the place as you pass the knee.

Why Technique Comes First

Think of cueing as the cherry on top. You can’t throw it on until the cake is baked. If you’ve never been taught how to execute the lift properly, no cue will make the lift perfect. At MWBC, we always prioritize teaching technique over cueing. Without a solid foundation, you’re just tossing out random instructions, and that’s not going to fix anything.

When we take the time to teach you how to properly execute a lift, we create a strong foundation. Only then can we apply cues to refine and fine-tune what’s already there.

The Long-Term Approach to Weightlifting

Weightlifting is a marathon, not a sprint. Sure, we all want quick results, but in reality, improvement takes time. Every lifter’s journey is unique, and that’s what makes it exciting. It’s not about forcing big jumps in your lifts—it’s about consistent, steady progress.

Mastering your technique isn’t about rushing; it’s about learning and refining every session. And when you’ve put in the time, those cues will land and make sense. They’ll actually mean something because you’ve already built the foundations for them to work.

Key Takeaways

• Cues are reminders, not quick fixes. They only work when you’ve mastered the technique.

• Master the basics first. Learn how to execute the movement properly before you start using cues to improve.

• Be patient. Great technique takes time and consistent effort. It’s not about rushing—it’s about building a solid foundation.

• Focus on fundamentals. Build strong movement habits, then refine them with cues.
  

At MWBC, we don’t just focus on lifting heavy weights. We focus on building a deep understanding of the movements and mechanics behind each lift. That’s how we build strong, capable athletes who can sustain long-term progress.

Next time you’re lifting, ask yourself: “Am I working on the basics, or am I just waiting for that cue to fix everything?” The real work begins when you understand the why behind every movement—and that’s where the lasting improvements come from.

Ready to build a solid foundation for your lifts? Join us at MWBC, where we focus on mastering the technique first. Let’s build strength that lasts. 💥

-Coach Caity