Ribcage Position

Setting the ribcage helps control the torso during the exercise. The dropped ribcage position must be maintained throughout the full range of motion, not just at the start. Maintaining a dropped, neutral ribcage position is a central emphasis of this exercise variation. A full exhale before moving the medicine ball helps bring the ribcage down. The breath-and-brace cue locks the trunk during the overhead press. The ribcage position should be maintained while lifting and lowering the legs. The lower ribcage should be set by exhaling before the legs are lifted. A full exhale is used to bring the ribcage into a neutral position. The ribcage should stay down throughout the slam. Allowing the ribs to flare or the lower back to over-arch during the press is a technique fault to avoid. Preventing rib flare reduces spinal compensation for limited shoulder mobility. Exhaling to drop the ribcage is a useful cue for preserving the tall-kneeling position.