squat depth and progress

[buck_ramone]

If someone is starting a barbell squat program for the first time, should he only use as much weight as he can while going ass-to-ankles, or would he benefit from going less deep if it meant he could life heavier weights? I don't mean half- or quarter-squats, but stopping somewhere short of all the way a-to-a. Or is there nowhere short of ass-to-ankles that would still be considered a full squat?

[Tom Campitelli]

This has been discussed at length all over the place here and in the book. We don't recommend an ass to ankles squat. Please read Starting Strength. It goes into the details, anatomy, and process for learning to squat. If you have questions after that, feel free to post again.

[buck_ramone]

Thank you.
On the plus side, I bought SS about 6 or 7 years ago and read it. On the minus side, I didn't have access to a squat rack so never got to put the words into practice. On the plus side, I now have access to a squat rack. On the plus side again, I read the squat chapter over the weekend.

[Tom Campitelli]

Get the third edition. It is better, clearer, and more complete.