Overhead squat!!!!! Grrrrrrr

[natcot]

My back squat is good and deep, front squat is strong and steady, but I still can't get a decent overhead squat sorted. This is the one exercise that I just can't do. It's not an issue of weight, in fact it gets a bit better with weight as that compresses me, but with just the bar, or even just 5kg each side, I seriously struggle to get in the hole!!

I'm assuming it's a shoulder and ankle mobility issue. I know there are loads of topics on this, but as ever, the advice given on this forum is usually spot on.

My specific issues are, I struggle to even get parallel, my knees and feet are rolling in and I'm very unsteady, whereas I rock solid with the other squats. It's actually really annoying me and I don't know what to focus on the resolve it!

[didelydoo]

Calf, quad and thoracic spine mobility are key here. If you can back squat down deep, but not OH squat, then it's very likely to be thoracic spine/shoulder region. Roll/stretch etc- have a look on catalystathletics.com for some good stuff that should sort you out. (this article may help http://www.catalystathletics.com/articles/article.... )

[hajaba123]

Thoracic mobility is a big issue with this, get a broomstick and just keep practising at home

[natcot]

Thanks didelydoo, that article pretty much sums me up, in fact, I was nicely hunched over at my desk as I read the page!!

every now and then I'll pick up the wooden stick in the gym, do a couple of uncomfortable movements, put it down and think that made a difference.