i have a few short sprinters that are struggling with really tight quads. these are the same athletes that cannot squat to parallel. i am considering replacing back squats with a less quad focused lift if this is the cause of their problem. btw, these kids lifted all winter without any problems - but maybe the increased volume of speed and speed endurance is causing the problem now?
i thought half squats were parallel squats? u could try stretching the quad 2-3 times daily and if you want you could replace the bs with box squats or snatch dl.
would butt-to-the-ground squats be similar to box squats?
no…
What happens when they try to squat deep? Knees go in? Heels come up? Upper body falls forward? I’d bet there is a lot more going on than tight quads that is preventing them from hitting depth.
Box squatting:
http://www.t-nation.com/findArticle.do?article=body_120squat
My sense is the latter portion of your post is where the problem is. When you increase the load in a part of the program, something else has to decrease to compensate. Charlie has said in the past that weights have to go down to provide for speed endurance. The problem here is likely providing for adequate recovery and balance between squats/weights and track intensity. Cut back the weight work as the intensity on the track goes up and the problem likely goes away.
that makes sense.
it sounds like he is fighting the weight on the way down… and feet positioning is wrong…
feet hold you up…not the weight…
to the ground there is no replacement…
ciao