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Practical Flashcards

7 cards from real NSCA CSCS practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 7 Practical flashcards as text

  1. When spotting a client performing a barbell back squat, where should the spotter primarily position their hands during the lift?

    Answer: Around the client's torso under the armpits

    The spotter wraps their arms under the lifter's armpits and around the torso to safely assist or catch the load if the lifter fails.

  2. During a power clean, the athlete fails to fully extend the hips and knees at the second pull. Which cue is MOST appropriate to correct this?

    Answer: Jump and shrug aggressively at the top

    Cueing a 'jump and shrug' encourages full triple extension of the ankles, knees, and hips, which is the key mechanical flaw in an incomplete second pull.

  3. A strength and conditioning coach observes an athlete's knees caving inward (valgus collapse) during a back squat. Which of the following is the BEST corrective cue?

    Answer: Drive your knees out over your toes

    Cueing 'drive your knees out over your toes' activates the hip abductors and external rotators to counteract valgus collapse.

  4. An athlete is learning the Romanian deadlift (RDL). Which body position error indicates they are performing it incorrectly?

    Answer: Lower back rounding as hips hinge backward

    Lower back rounding during the RDL indicates a loss of neutral spine and places harmful compressive stress on the lumbar vertebrae.

  5. Which grip width is most commonly used for the conventional deadlift to optimize pulling mechanics and minimize bar path deviation?

    Answer: Just outside shoulder-width with a double overhand grip

    A just-outside-shoulder-width double overhand grip keeps the bar close to the body and allows for efficient pulling mechanics in a conventional deadlift.

  6. During a bench press, an athlete's wrists are hyperextended throughout the lift. What is the PRIMARY concern with this technique?

    Answer: Increased risk of wrist and forearm injury

    Hyperextended wrists during bench pressing place excessive stress on the wrist joint and forearm flexors, increasing injury risk over time.

  7. A coach wants to teach the push jerk to a beginner athlete. What is the correct sequence of phases?

    Answer: Dip, drive, punch, recover

    The push jerk phases are dip (quarter squat), drive (explosive leg extension), punch (push under the bar), and recover (stand to full extension).