Squat @287.5 / press @137.5 form check

[mbohn23]

I'm 5'10" 185, been doing SS for about 2 months and was hoping for some feedback on my form. I know the cutoff is frowned upon, but it's in my basement. This is probably the best angle I could come up with due to the positioning of my rack. Thanks.

Squat: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIxwtZep_ao#t=25s

Press: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k935hSuYVgg#t=13s

[Karl Schudt]

On the squat, try narrowing your stance (shoulder width) and point the toes out a bit more. That should help you hit depth. Currently, these are a little bit high, but not awful. Just get them to the proper depth. Also, you will want to adjust your grip before you get tendinitis in your elbows. Get your wrists straight, over the bar.

I don't have time to look at the press right now.

[Nicholas Racculia]

Karl,

I have a moment (before the week gets too busy), so I'll tag you out and take a look at his press...

A few things--

1. I think your grip is too wide...I cannot tell by the angle, but it looks like your forearms aren't vertical (when viewed from directly behind). (basically Figure 3-9a from SS 3rd Edition)
2. Your elbows should be slightly in front of the bar (see Figure 3-8 from SS 3rd Edition), they look like they are behind the bar (when viewed from the left or right).
3. Your chest is caved in...lift your chest.
4. There is no lean back (and there should be)...your kind of "chicken necking" your head to get it under the bar. Lean back, by squeezing hard the abs and quads, this will get the head out of the way. shove the hips back after the bar passes the forehead on the way up.
5. To that end, the bar path needs to be vertical...think about a slot above your mid-foot that extends to the ceiling...let the bar follow that path up. (4&5 are related)

I would drop the weight a bit until those things are corrected.