Lumbar locked overhead press

In “dirty and difficult” movement patterns, that is, those movement patterns with dysfunctional motor control, we often see a segment move out of sequence. This is controlled best by locking the segment in a position that prevents it from moving out of sequence. 

In motor control training, where there is movement instead of stability, change the task or environment to lock out unwanted movement.

An example is an overhead press performed with excessive lumbar flexion and/or anterior pelvic tilt. The lumbar spine can be locked in a position that prevents this compensatory out-of-sequence movement by placing one or both hips into full flexion, causing posterior pelvic tilt. This looks like a seated overhead press, or a single leg stance overhead press. Preference should be given to those tasks that are higher in the neurodevelopmental hierarchy, ie single leg stance with full hip flexion. The foot of the flexed hip can be placed on a seat/bench, or held for balance purposes.