The Press Setup

[Apeman]

Age: 28
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 215
Press: 3x5 185
Bench: 3x5 285
Dead: 1x5 400
Squat: 3x5 395

My question involves "setting" the upper back for the OHP. A lot is made about contracting the glutes, and thighs as well as a strong Valsalva to get maximal juice out of the hip drive, however, much less is mentioned with relation to scapular angle/trap and lat engagement (until the lockout shrug)...sometimes I unrack the weight on an OHP and am strong through my trunk-shoulders-arms-hands, leading to a solid press, however, other times I unrack the weight and do not perform or feel as strong (almost like the weight is in my elbows and wrists)...

Is there a cue or step prior to unracking the weight that properly "sets" the upper back/lats similar to pinching the scapula for a bench set-up?

Thanks for any and all input, including "just re-read SS ya bum"

[Jordan Feigenbaum]

I tend to tell folks to push their chest up, pull the bar down to their upper chest, and take a big breath- all very similar to bench cues- and then press. I don't cue scapular retraction, however.

[Apeman]

Awesome, thanks so much for the timely reply, get to implement for tomorrow's lifts! I want a bodyweight OHP so bad I can taste it...errr...ya know what I mean.