Wobbly Knees while Squating

Coach -

I am reading Starting Strength. Love it.

My knees wobble when I squat with heavy weights. I followed your advice to "jam" them out, which is fine with air squats or warmups, but whenever I get heavier weights on there (say 70-80% of my max), the knees start going all over the place when I ascend. I had patellar tendonitis (self-diagnosed) in the past, possibly due to this.

What is the solution? Do I have to reduce the weight? How much, how slowly should I increase, etc?

Thanks.

As a general rule, you should use correct form, and if your form is not correct at a given weight it should be reduced to a weight that can be done correctly, and then advanced progressively at a rate at which form can be maintained as strength is developed in the contributing muscles. So yes, lower the weight and keep your knees out as you increase it back to where you were.

Thanks for the advice.

I just finished Starting Strength. I think it is a fantastic book. I will be giving it to a handful of friends and family for the holidays this year.