PL or olympic squat...which is better for sports?

[KPorter]

what squating technique is better for a football player (DB)? A wide stance going to parallel, or narrow and going low enough for your hams to touch your calves?
i know squating PL style lets you put up a lot more weight, but is the ROM sufficient for greater leg strength development, or would an oly style squat "activate" more muscles, and to a greater degree?

 

[HalfManHalfAmaz]

A rock bottom squat will help you develop strength through the full range of motion where a half or quarter squat will not. You may also want to do some extra ham work as you'll usually be running backwards for the first 5-7 yards of each play. When I was in college, the strength coach(wrestling) would put chalk on our calfs, then check and see if our hams/asses were white when we were done squatting.

 

[Duncans Donuts]

It depends on your personal biomechanics. I have very long legs and I have flexibility issues when going deep in squats. This does not mean my full range of motion is not strong.

 

[Squaggleboggin]

I always squat down all the way (actually on the last rep of my last set, I usually pause at the bottom, just to make SURE I can go the full distance and I'm not cheating myself by using a higher weight than what I can handle). When people post how much they can squat, and in a powerlifting competition, do they squat down all the way with a wide stance?

 

[KPorter]

thats one thing thats always bothered me about people stating how much they can squat...is it to parallel, or is it right to the bottom, theres a big difference in weight there i think.