NSCA CSCS - NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist Exercise Technique and Coaching Questions and Answers

Question 1

An athlete is performing a dumbbell bench press with a challenging load. To provide the safest and most effective spot, where should the strength and conditioning specialist position their hands?

Accepted Answer

Near the athlete's wrists to guide the path of the dumbbells.

Answer

At the athlete's elbows to help drive the weight up.

Answer

On the ends of the dumbbells to prevent them from tipping.

Answer

Lightly on the athlete's chest to provide a tactile cue.

Question 2

A strength and conditioning specialist observes an athlete's hips rising significantly faster than their shoulders during the initial pull of a conventional deadlift. Which of the following is the MOST effective verbal cue to correct this fault?

Accepted Answer

"Keep your chest up and push the floor away."

Answer

"Pull the bar faster off the floor."

Answer

"Focus on locking out your knees first."

Answer

"Start with your hips much lower."

Question 3

When performing a heavy barbell exercise such as a 1RM deadlift, which grip is characterized by one hand in a pronated position and the other in a supinated position to prevent the bar from rotating?

Accepted Answer

Alternated grip

Answer

Hook grip

Answer

Open grip

Answer

Supinated grip

Question 4

Which of the following correctly describes the primary purpose of the Valsalva maneuver during a heavy resistance exercise like the back squat?

Accepted Answer

To increase intra-abdominal pressure to help stabilize the spine.

Answer

To increase oxygen delivery to working muscles by hyperventilating.

Answer

To decrease intra-abdominal pressure and reduce stress on the lumbar spine.

Answer

To increase the heart rate and blood pressure to maximal levels for power output.

Question 5

During the landing phase of a depth jump, which of the following represents correct technique to ensure safety and effectiveness?

Accepted Answer

The shoulders should be over the knees and the center of gravity over the base of support.

Answer

Landing with knees fully extended to maximize ground contact time.

Answer

The shoulders should be behind the knees upon landing.

Answer

Landing should be as loud as possible to indicate high force production.

Question 6

A strength and conditioning specialist is coaching an experienced athlete on the power clean. The athlete successfully completes a heavy but technically imperfect lift. What is the MOST effective form of feedback to provide immediately following the lift?

Accepted Answer

Positive reinforcement for the effort, followed by one simple, actionable cue for the next attempt.

Answer

A long, detailed explanation of every technical flaw observed during the lift.

Answer

Only pointing out the negative aspects of the lift to motivate the athlete to improve.

Answer

Telling the athlete to watch a video of a professional lifter before the next set.