I don't know squat

[Brian Harlin]

Hi Rip,
I have been on the SSBBT program for about 6 months. I'm 37, tall (6') and fat (227).
I struggle with squats, not the weight per say, but form. Specifically, I have never been able to achieve below parallel without my knees going forward at the bottom, and even in those cases I'm barelly below parallel. I know that the standard prescription is "knees out" and I mentally cue this before my sets, that and "look down" because I tend to lift my head/chest if I don't. My squats are lightyears ahead of where I started and I'm currently lifting 120 lbs more than my starting weight (155->270) despite resetting 3 times; twice for form/depth that was unacceptable and the last time I dumped 275 on the first rep of my second set (upon video review this was also a form issue).

Things I have tried to remedy this:
I have experimented with my stance width by marking distances on my platform.
Wider than shoulder width helps, and I did that for a while but ultimately abandoned it because I could not maintain my knee position with the wide stance. I actually pulled some ligament doing wide stance (I think LCL & MCL but it wasn't major enough to go to a doctor so that is a guess).
Currently I am emplyoying a slightly narrower stance than shoulder width.

I experimented with different toe angles and found that wider than 30 degrees feels more natural to me. I have gone up to 45 degrees but typically feel most natural at 40~

Mental preparedness: There is definately a role that my mind plays in depth, I got a few inches lower by just deciding that I was going to go all the way to the bottom whether I could get back up or not.

I refuse to say I can't squat below parallel, because that would be an excuse to give up trying. I would greatly appreciate any advice you can give me.

so here are my most recent 3 sets at 270. the first set I had some balance issues and leading with chest issues and as a result was the hardest set of the 3.

set 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNw2s8WAmVY

set 2 (sorry about the music)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mOxElePbZig

set 3 (from the back)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bIZ8GjYpHT8

[Mark Rippetoe]

You're about 3 inches high, and there are several problems here. I recommend that you get a coach, or come to our seminar in Costa Mesa. And I also think you'll do better outside the rack, for various reasons having to do with your perception of your position at the bottom.

[Brian Harlin]

Thank you for your response. I will work on the coach or coast issue.

And I also think you'll do better outside the rack, for various reasons having to do with your perception of your position at the bottom.

because of the proximity to the wall?

[Mark Rippetoe]

Because the rack upright members may be influencing your back angle subconsciously. Just try it outside since you have to deload anyway.