JFIFC    $ &%# #"(-90(*6+"#2D26;=@@@&0FKE>J9?@=C  =)#)==================================================h" }!1AQa"q2#BR$3br %&'()*456789:CDEFGHIJSTUVWXYZcdefghijstuvwxyz w!1AQaq"2B #3Rbr $4%&'()*56789:CDEFGHIJSTUVWXYZcdefghijstuvwxyz ?c!y= YUPy%G !y',]ܓ#yGhV*Q]No^SBH)c۴徜@-;\6Iob̸U튵-#72YnQGEs6{wM8UMQٍ[`3bj0\ױpܴiGmC!*88z*尩aZ.i#kobfBs֒xfhdmک {Tji{BG9cV"{T \epnw" Bue*4 @ٞ=f(.!TS=9rzMu).g' =+kAia*c`uqvy5~ `[AʣGbMdj+"؇ۡ_~q9I"9 !QSl-p%wN| ,[:ŁU35mv*GpMr9>' 웧$Ѧkis+U "did I3 m^[ B ݚ|3o H=Mt|,*ՃÍ<aNUAVdj[G +#~@JjW-i`=Pw^$bF(tžd-eL3[:,}(J7 cfj!R[x {i}ư--u_ƸQJ)4sVۙcYU!S _wwp-m;t-!ǷZ%~k2<Ơ {\5$ǟ+GWTKo_`hi;39$1hDz4-q$u—zo;=kKbŶRj#Vhi1֚B=Wt#7p*Yݑ%Q$TloNkiE9#oh]Ka,~CWKv!{Hcxp[)?θ9wtBt 4]u8I G9rʒZLS9 <\UwP@i=7ֲ< %HkOSBo4X?<QqsnZVIwlvHvLOg>:/j: .$klӍI9+2wUI/,[+3\ZI E#)Udm]6ۙbZ2ihWֵ6U4g47'O)vҩCv[H`I O&m!Ͽrv9]c?W'?xSaXH[!#8Yv=J(c&mŽJ2nd}8@#'8}ƣERlU8؎4}LU QEppO)VT"qE6ddƸȤgP= "*Dy|u<.}OPrA-$|SEq1U2#(a cause of knee injuries. The opposite is true if they are done correctly with straight alignment. Correct Parallel Squats will strengthen the muscles, tendons and ligaments which surround the knee from top to bottom. Show me a team with a lot of knee injuries and I will show you a team that does not Parallel Squat or does not Parallel Squat with straight alignment. <br>Doing Parallel Squats is like taking out an insurance policy. Put in the correct time, effort and technique and you can practically eliminate knee injuries from you program. Squats are monumental in may areas of athletic improvement including hip, leg, speed and jumping power.<br>You should do two squat workouts per week and since this is a Core Lift, you should vary your sets and reps. <br><br>OTHER GOOD EXERCISES<br><br>Lunges, Box Squats, Front Squats, Hex Bar Dead Lift, Hip Sled, Sprint Sled, Sprint Chute and many other exercises will have a positive effect in preventing knee injuries as long as they are done with the knees in straight alignment.<br>Note: Do not use knee wraps on every set with healthy knees (Picture 4). Use them sparingly, if at all. Wrapping can reduce the development of knee ligaments and tendons. When you do wrap your knees, make sure you always wrap each knee from an outside to inside style, as this will better protect the patella.<br><br>KNEE ALIGNMENT WITH THE SQUAT<br> <br>Correct Knee Alignment (Picture 5): Get into a squatting stance and look at the middle of each knee. If you were to drop a string straight down, where would it land? The string should land in the middle of the foot for perfect alignment as in Picture 5. During any athletic movement, including squatting, the knees should always be over the middle of the toes.<br>There are three basic problem areas for the knees to look for when squatting: Knees Out, Knees In and Knees Forward.<br>Knees Out (Picture 6): Squatting with the knees out will put unwanted pressure on the lateral collateral ligaments. The Knees-out problem can easily be corrected by just widening out the athlete s stance. Widen out the stance until the knees are aligned directly over the toes.<br>Knees In (Picture 7 & 9): This problem is quite common with women athletes and junior high age boys. When squatting, the knees in problem will surface on the way up. The knees are usually alright on the way down when squatting. The knees-in problem puts unwanted pressure on the medial collateral ligaments.<br>The knees-in problem is more