Squat and Deadlift Form

[SteamRoxorz]

Rip,
I’ve read SS, watched the DVD, and just received PPST and MOMG this week. I wish you wrote SS 20 years ago, but it’s better I start late than never. I’m a 38 year old novice in need of form checking.

Started 4 Nov 09 at:
198.0lbs (6’3”)
95lbs Squat
85lbs Bench
115lbs Deadlift
55lbs Press
65lbs Power Clean

Now at:
225.2lbs
195lbs Squat
145lbs Bench
235lbs Deadlift
85lbs Press
100lbs Power Clean

I had to reset the squat, press, and power clean (from 215, 100, 110) around Christmas time because I was feeling exhausted. My bench and deadlift felt fine, so I left it as it. Part of the problem was I have a toddler who wasn’t sleeping well, so I wasn't sleeping well.

Here are my last 2 squat sets at 185 and my deadlift at 230 (http://nyjet_twoplustwo.home.mindspring.com/SS/FormCheck.wmv).

All the work you do in these forums in greatly appreciated.

[Mark Rippetoe]

Standard deal: knees forward at the bottom, poor hip drive.

[SteamRoxorz]

Standard deal: knees forward at the bottom, poor hip drive.

I think I have fixed the knees forward problem after reading Active Hip 2.0. I wasn't thinking knees out at the top. I was only focusing on knees out at the bottom.

With the hip drive, I try to envision the chain pulling my ass up like in the book, but it is obviously not working. What other cues can I use to get this corrected?

[Mark Rippetoe]

You could look down more. That always helps.