My favorite tool for safety and teaching proper back management is a drill I learned from Tommy Kono.

We call it the Tommy Kono Back Drill.

1) The athlete sits at the edge of a chair or bench, places hands on the knees, inhales and fills their stomach and chest with air, creating a nice fluid ball around their spine.
2) The athlete proceeds to raise their chest towards their chin while pulling the scapula together.
3) They close their glottis and hold their inter-abdominal pressure for about 5 seconds.
4) Repeat for about 3 to 5 sets of 5 second holds.

A lot of lessons in this drill, but what I like most is the kinesthetic awareness the athlete now has to manage his or her back.

If I say “Tommy Kono Back”, they all know what that feels like and can duplicate in a lift.