Squat Depth Deeper on 1 side

[Randy Scheingold]

Hey coaches,

I've noticed that when I film my squats, I tend to go about 1 to 2 inches deeper when viewed from the right side vs the left side. This has been confirmed in coaching sessions with my SSC (Dave A - Chicago). Dave did not see any major form issues that would contribute to this.

Have you seen this before? And are there are any potential fixes?

Also, I struggled to get below parallel consistently...mostly when viewed from the bad (left side). Should I consider the left side at parallel to be a legit rep, since I know that means the right side is below? Or should I only evaluate from the right side? Or.....do I force myself to go deep enough so my left is below (causing my right to be 2 to 3 inches below)?

I do not compete other than the SS Fall classic, and any competitions I may enter in the future would be for fun and to give my training focus. So hard core competition and judging is not something I'm worried about.

thx

[Steve Hill]

I've noticed that when you film your squats, we can't see them, because you didn't post a video.

Seems like something like this would be really fucking obvious from BEHIND, don't you think?

But I can't see THAT video, either.

[Randy Scheingold]

No comment from the duly chastised idiot....who can't seem to consistently hit depth on his squats.

Here are 3 videos:

Good Side (right): Squat - Right Side - YouTube
Bad Side (left): Squat - Left Side - YouTube
Back (includes a single and a slowmo warm up): Squat - Back - YouTube

Note: When I checked out the Back videos on my ipad (and could easily slow them down) I did notice my right leg seems either higher, less knees out, or bigger...can't tell). If the videos suck, let me know and I'll give them another shot.

thanks again

[Steve Hill]

I see what you mean but I also don't see much that can't be attributed to shitty lighting, and the lighting differences in the videos. In other news, re-label your hands, you have left and right ID'd wrong.

From the rear, it looks like on the descent you are moving to the right. Have you been checked for a leg length discrepancy?

[Randy Scheingold]

Never been checked for leg length issues, didn't really noticed it until now. Giving that I'm a middle aged dude, just looking to get stronger and eventually squat 400lb, what's your suggestion? Should I use a shim (I'm not smart enough to figure out what leg to shim though!). And/or should my below parallel target be my deeper side or higher side? Again, serious competitions & judging aren't an issue, maybe the fall classics though.

[Steve Hill]

Again, I'm not convinced that there is anything here that can't be explained by differences in the lighting on each side, since from behind I don't see anything going on. I would suggest: read the sticky, film with better light, and then we'll see. In the meantime, you MAY WISH to find a chiro or and ortho who knows what he's about (sorry for the patriarchy, ladies) to check and see if there is a leg length discrepancy. IF THERE IS, you would then use a shim, but until one is confirmed, no shim.