Valsalva for the front squat

[Jsutt]

Due to shoulder injury I'm having to use front squats for a while. I haven't learned them before so I've started at 70kg and just adding weight each time a la SS programming. As it's getting closer to bodyweight (80x3x5 today) I'm finding it hard to reset the valsalva or even catch a decent breath after each rep. Anyone else have trouble with this?

[Philbert]

Yes, it is hard for me to breathe while front squatting. Thinking about actively pushing my guts down into my abdominal cavity with my diaphragm, maintaining upper back extension, and holding my shoulders up helps a little. Even so I catch more of a quick breath than a full release and reset of the valsalva.

[Dastardly]

are you using a belt? - it helps.

this sort of awkwardness is a reason why people stick to lower reps on the front squat. Instead of 3x5 for example you could do 5x3 or 5rm, 3rm, 1rm and throw in a back off set. Get creative.